News and Announcements

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CHAMPIONS CUP 2018 SCHEDULE
24-Jun-18 Flemming Park Field

G1 10:00 a.m. Honduras(LDY) 0 Yonkers Ukranians(EDSL-O) 2
G2 11:30 a.m. C.A. Tumi (PCSL) 2 Krajisnik(CNYSSL) 2 PK
G3 01:00 p.m. Ossining Portuguese(EDSL-O) 3 La Herradura (PCSL) 3 PK
G4 02:30 p.m. San Onofre (PCSL-O) 1 Olimpia (LDY) 1 PK

G5 04:00 p.m. Yonkers Ukranians(EDSL-O) 2 Krajisnik(CNYSSL) 2 PK
G6 05:30 p.m. La Herradura(PCSL) 3 Olimpia (LDY) 1

FINAL
1-Jul-18 Flemming Park Field
10:00 a.m. Krajisnik(CNYSSL) La Herradura(PCSL)

Today at Fleming field the EDSL held their annual Champions cup quarter and semifinals games
Scheduled were 6 games, 4 quarter finals and 2 semifinals. Of the 6 games, 4 had to be decided by PK’s and only the first and last game was won in regulations time.
First game saw Honduras of the LDY division take on Yonkers Ukrainians of the Open division where the Ukrainians scored 2 goals to win a very competitive game.
The second game Tumi of the Port Chester division hosted Krajisnik of Central NY Soccer (Utica NY) the final regulation score was 2-2 and Krajisnik won 3-2 on PK’s
Third game Ossining Portuguese of the Open division took on La Herradura of the Port Chester division game was tied 3-3. 20 pk’s where taken by both teams for finally La Herradura to come out on top 4-3.
The fourth and final ¼ final saw San Onofre of Port Chester (a previous winner of the EDSL champion cup back in 2013) defeat Olimpia from LDY again on PK’s after a 1-1 draw in regulation. This time it took only 9 Penalties to decide Olimpia the winner.

SEMIFINALS
The first semifinal saw Yonkers Ukrainians take on Krajisnik and again 2-2 was the regulation score. Krajisnik came out on top scoring 7 out of 7 pk’s while the Ukrainians missed their last Pk.
The 2nd semifinal La Herradura won 3-1 after falling 0-1 to Olimpia in the first half.
FINALS
Next Sunday 7/1/18 at 10am the final will be again be held at Fleming in Yonkers where Krajisnik of Central New York will take on La Herradura of the Port Chester Division.
The 2 teams are already winners and will share a prize of $2,500 the champion will receive $1,750 and the runner up $750.

In Division A NY El Salvador continues winning and continues being in first place by defeating Juventus 2-0. Juventus drops to position 5 overall.
Tallawah and Olimpia played to a 1-1 tie in a tough defensive game while Monarcas and the Vikings also put there defenses on center stage and played to a 1-1 tie. Honduras drew the bye this week but still remains in second place with 10 points.
In Division B action Puma defeated UNAM 4-1 and Morelia defeated Chivas 3-1. Puma and Morelia are both tied for first with 12 points each but Morelia has the edge in the first tie breaker by allowing only 5 goals this year while Puma has allowed 6. CD Leon tied Irlanda 3-3 and now sits in the 3rd spot with 11 points . NYC FC defeated Chelsea 4-1 and sits in 4th place. Atlanta United defeated Liverpool 3-0 and Boca Junior held on to beat Toluca 1-1.
The big games next week is NY El Salvador takes on Honduras at 6:15PM in Division A action and CD Leon plays Puma at 9:00am. All games being played at Pelton Field. Come out and check outsome great soccer.

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May 20th Tibbets Park #3 10am Yonkers Ukrainians vs Black Eagles
Congratulations to Yonkers Ukrainians for winning the last tournament of the EDSL Open division, or the Steven Howansky EDSL Open cup, named after their long-time manager, by winning over the Black Eagles with the score of 2-1.
The Ukrainians hit the goal post in the 1st half hour, went ahead at the 32 minute of the first half and that is the way the first half ended.
The Black Eagles started the second half in offense and tied the game on the PK awarded by the Referee for a foul in the area.
The Ukrainians did have an opportunity to go ahead on the 85th minute on a break away, but the Eagles goalie Afrim Lajqi neutralized the shot by diving to his left.
At the 92th minute or in extra time the Ukrainians did go ahead from a cross from the left and a header from the left side of the goalie.
Black Eagles did have an opportunity in the 95th minute or last play of the game with a header, but the Ukrainian goalie made a sensational save.
It was an excellent game played by both teams and the best way to end the season.

This year the Open Division has 3 separate winners

1. Ossining Portuguese won the regular Championship
2. Black Eagles won the $1,000 playoffs
3. Yonkers Ukrainians won the Steven Howansky EDSL Cup.

By: Peter Pinori

ENYSASA HOF Party

Posted by Eastern District Soccer League at Jan 20, 2018 11:33AM PST ( 0 Comments )
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GERMAN MENA SELECTED TO EASTERN NEW YORK SOCCER ASSOCIATION HALL OF FAME

The Eastern District Soccer Association is proud to have one of its Board of Directors selected to the 2017 class of the Eastern New York Soccer Association Hall of Fame.

German Mena was born and raised in Honduras. As most Hondurans his love for the game of soccer started young and he played the great sport of soccer almost before he could walk. He played right through High School and wanted to continue after school but German knew the he did not possess the skills to play in the semi-professional leagues. The semi-professional leagues did notice German’s knowledge of the game and natural ability to lead and instruct and offered him a position as coach. German became one of the youngest coaches ever to lead a Honduras semi-professional team. His fairness and ability to coach players much older than him and win were noticed by all.

Times were tough in Honduras and German’s father convinced German to move to America in March of 1994. The pressure of moving to a new country and making a living were monumental but he still took time to play soccer. Soccer to German is not simply a sport, but a way of life. He would go down to Tibbetts Brook Park and Pelton Field in Yonkers to participate in “pick-up” games and formed some strong friendships through soccer. In just a year his new friends form a team called “Friends United” and joined the Liga Mexicana de Yonkers. Besides playing his leadership skills once again surfaced and he was elected assistant coach.

In the first 2 years of “Friends United” wins were scares and they finished last out of 16 teams. In 1998 a few players from his native country Honduras asked him to help form a team of Hondurans. German gladly accepted and became coach of “Honduras Yonkers”.

In 1999 “Honduras Yonkers” won the league championship and repeated this feat for another 5 years becoming the only team to win 6 consecutive championships. Their reputation grew and were invited to participate in city-wide, countywide and statewide tournaments. Their games drew large crowds and they always finished in the top percent of the tournaments.

In 2006 Liga Mexicana de Yonkers encountered some problems and the teams were looking for a new outlet. The managers approached the City of Yonkers and asked for assistance in establishing a new “certified” league. The City of Yonkers offered to help but the league would have to be governed by the team and players themselves. The teams agreed and that night the 20 teams form a Board of Directors and German was voted unanimously to be president and lead their new endeavor. That night “Liga de Yonkers” was formed. The City of Yonkers Parks Commissioner said “Liga de Yonkers would have never had survived if it wasn’t for German Mena.”

Germans playing days were over but now coaching Honduras Yonkers and running the league became almost a full time job. Liga de Yonkers also joined the Eastern District Soccer League to give credibility to the league. German didn’t stop at just running Liga de Yonkers. He saw the need of soccer in the Yonkers Community and became an advocate for soccer at all levels. He started an over 40 league which played during the week, he started the first women’s league in Yonkers, and pushed back the game times of Liga de Yonkers to give playing time to youth soccer. If anyone had a soccer question or needed help German was the guy to go to. Not only did he work tirelessly promoting local soccer he was also instrumental in bringing non-affiliate players and teams into Eastern District Soccer League and Eastern New York State Soccer. He became a true ambassador for the sport of soccer.

In 2008 German was honored to be invited by EDSL President Peter Pinori to become a Board Member of EDSL and continues to serve proudly.

Honduras Yonkers continued to be one of the top teams in the area and participated and won numerous State Cup competitions. In 2016 they made the finals of the state cup but regretfully lost in close, well-played game.

In 2017, regretfully due to health reasons, German gave up coaching Honduras Yonkers and relinquished the presidency of Liga de Yonkers. He still serves and participates on the EDSL Board, and still spends time on Sundays at Pelton Field assisting whenever and wherever possible.

When informed he was nominated to the State Hall of Fame, he was honored but also embarrassed. Honored to be recognized by his peers but embarrassed for being honored by the great game of soccer when the great game of soccer has done so much for him.

2017 CHAMPIONS NIGHT

Posted by Eastern District Soccer League at Nov 1, 2017 1:27PM PDT ( 0 Comments )
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The EDSL Dinner Dance Party held at Ukrainian Youth Center in Yonkers on October 27, 2017 attracted an attendance of more than 200 people. Champions Awards were handed in to all Champions from all the divisions, Open EDSL, Port Chester, Liga de Yonkers, Mount Kisco, Over 30 and Over 40; topped with the Winners of the State Cup and Champions Cup.
Good music, wine and beer accompany the delicious appetizers and food served.
CONGRATUATIONS TO ALL..!