Long Island Rough Riders
Encyclopedia
Long Island Rough Riders is an American soccer team based in South Huntington, New York
, United States
. Founded in 1994, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League
(PDL), the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid
, in the Mid Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference.
The team plays its home games at Cy Donnelly Stadium on the campus of St. Anthony's High School, where they have played since 2009. The team's colors are white and blue.
The team has a sister organization, the Long Island Rough Riders Women
, who play in the women's USL W-League, and also enters a team in the Super-20 League
, a league for players 17 to 20 years of age run under the United Soccer Leagues
umbrella.
Chris Armas
, who would lead the team in scoring with eight goals and four assists. The team won the Northeast Division in its debut year, seven points ahead of North Jersey Dragons with a 13-5 record, and comfortably won through the first couple of rounds of the playoffs with victories over the New Jersey Imperials and the Dragons. The Rough Riders were placed in the "Raleigh Group" of the USISL 'Sizzling Nine' Championships, and qualified along with the Minnesota Thunder
to face Greensboro Dynamo in the national semi final; they lost the game 2-1 in overtime, and Greensboro went on to take the title.
For their second season in 1995, the Rough Riders added several more players who would go on to excel in Major League Soccer
, including national team goalkeeper Tony Meola
, Jim Rooney, and Giovanni Savarese
, who would be named the USISL regular season and playoff MVP, and who scored 23 goals during the campaign. The Rough Riders finished that season with a 19-1 record, top of the Coastal Conference for a second year running, and received a bye to the 'Sizzling Nine' Championship tournament. Wins over the Monterey Bay Jaguars and the New Mexico Chiles
in group play took them to the national semi final for a second time. Unlike '95, the Rough Riders won their semi 5-2 over the Tampa Bay Cyclones, and then beat Minnesota Thunder
2-1 to win the USISL Championship.
The Rough Riders lost several players to the nascent MLS in 1996, including Meola and Savarese, but went on to have a successful season nevertheless, finishing with an 11-7 record and winning the North Atlantic Division. They beat Delaware Wizards
2-0 in the second round of the playoffs, and qualified from a 'Select Six' tournament group that comprised Minnesota Thunder
and Hampton Roads Mariners, but lost 1-0 to the Richmond Kickers
in the playoff semi-finals.
in that year. They finished their first regular season third in the Northeast Division behind Montreal Impact
with a 13-10-5 record, and beat Rochester Raging Rhinos
and the Impact in the playoffs, before losing the Carolina Dynamo
in the semi-final round. The Rough Riders also enjoyed a run to the quarter finals of the US Open Cup, beating USASA
amateur team Bridgeport Italians in the second round, and then upsetting Major League Soccer
side New England Revolution
4-3 before eventually falling to the MetroStars
1-0 on a golden goal
. Defender Travis Rinker made the All A-League Team that year.
The Rough Riders finished 4th in the Northeast Division behind Rochester in 1998, and lost in the first round of the playoffs to the Richmond Kickers
. 1999 was a similar story - 3rd behind the Rhinos in the regular season, and defeat in the first round of the playoffs to the Pittsburgh Riverdogs, although strikers John Wolyniec
and Darko Kolic
were much more prolific, scoring 15 and 7 goals respectively.
Fortunes improved significantly in 2000, as the Rough Riders took their first regular season title at this level, winning the Northeast Division by one point from the Rochester Raging Rhinos
with a 16-9-4 record, with striker Edson Buddle
contributing 11 of the team's 54 goals, and goalkeeper Paul Grafer
posting a 1.29 GAA average. Their title came thanks to 9 bonus points earned for scoring 3 or more goals in a game. However, for a third straight season, playoff success eluded them, as they were dispatched 2-1 by the Toronto Lynx
in the conference quarter finals.
The high of the first year of the new millennium was followed by a disappointing low in 2001 as the Rough Riders slumped to their first losing record in years - 8-16-4 - and finished sixth in the Northern Conference, a full 42 points behind divisional champions Hershey Wildcats
, and out of the playoffs. Following this disastrous campaign, the team's ownership group decided to voluntarily relegate the team to the D3 Pro League for the 2002 campaign.
in second place, with Derrick Etienne and Cordt Weinstein hitting 27 goals between them, and goalkeeper Billy Gatti maintaining an imposing presence between the pipes. They squeaked past New York on penalty kicks after a 2-2 tie in the playoff quarter finals, but enjoyed a dominant 3-0 win over the Connecticut Wolves
in the semi final to reach the championship game at the first attempt; the final against Southern Conference champions Wilmington Hammerheads
was a tight game, but the Rough Riders emerged as 2-1 victors, to take their second championship in franchise history.
The Rough Riders retained their divisional title in 2003, despite the league being re-aligned and renamed the Pro Select League, with a 13-4-3 record, 13 points clear of the New Jersey Stallions
, their closest rival, and with Derrick Etienne again hitting 10 goals. The Rough Riders enjoyed some impressive victories in the regular season campaign, including a 3-0 victory on the road in May over Westchester Flames
, a 4-1 road win over Jersey Falcons
in early July, and a pair of comprehensive wins over Reading Rage
, 5-1 and 4-1. The Rough Riders also made their second trip to the US Open Cup this year, but were upset in the second round by PDL team Mid Michigan Bucks, who came from a goal down to register a 2-1 win. Despite being hot favorites to progress through the playoffs, they were upset by the Stallions 5-4 on penalties after a 0-0 tie in playoff regional final, and were left to reflect on a disappointing end to the season while the Wilmington Hammerheads
went on to take the title.
Unexpectedly, the Rough Riders struggled in 2004, finishing the season with an 8-11-1 record, decisively in the Atlantic Division's cellar behind the Pittsburgh Riverhounds
and the expansion Harrisburg City Islanders
, and failing to make the playoffs. The season was, however, significant because it marked the return of two old-time Rough Riders - Jim Rooney from the New England Revolution
and Giovanni Savarese
from overseas. Derrick Etienne was again Long Island's top scorer, hitting 11 goals on the season.
The USL Pro Soccer League became the USL Second Division in 2005, and reverted to a single-table format, comprising just nine teams, all on the east coast. The season started in up-and-down fashion, with the Rough Riders never quite stringing a run of form together. An opening day 4-1 win over the Northern Virginia Royals
was followed by a win over New Hampshire Phantoms
, then 2 losses, then 2 wins, then three losses... and so it went. The team did enjoy a couple of comprehensive victories, during the mid-season, notably a second 4-1 win over Northern Virginia Royals
in which Moussa Sy
scored all four goals, and a 5-2 hammering of New Hampshire Phantoms
in early July, but elsewhere things were tough; even their US Open Cup campaign ended early with a shocking 4-0 defeat to PDL side Ocean City Barons
in the second round. The Rough Riders lost their final five games of the regular season, including a demoralizing 4-1 thrashing at home at the hands of Western Mass Pioneers
, and finished the season in 6th place with a 7-13-0 record, missing the playoffs for a second straight year. Yet again, the prolific Derrick Etienne was Long Island's top scorer, with 9 goals, while Wilmer Cabrera
contributed 5 assists.
2006 was arguably the worst season in the history of team, with them finishing the year at the bottom of the table with just three wins and fifteen goals to their credit. The season started in disastrous fashion with a shocking 13-game winless streak stretching from the opening day through to mid-July, and included several comprehensive losses: 5-0 to Richmond Kickers
, 3-0 to Harrisburg City Islanders
, 3-0 to Wilmington Hammerheads
. Their first victory was against New Hampshire Phantoms
at home, a scrappy 1-0 affair settled by an 84th minute strike from Moussa Sy
; the high point of the season was the see-saw 3-2 win over Wilmington on the final day of the season, but it all too little too late for the Rough Riders. Following this disastrous campaign, the team chose to voluntarily relegate themselves to the USL Premier Development League
for the 2007 season.
. Their excellent early-season form took them to the US Open Cup for the fourth time - their first as a member of the amateur ranks - but for the third time they suffered an early exit, although this time the result was less of a shock as it was at the hands of USL First Division
stalwarts Rochester Raging Rhinos
. Long Island's home form was their strong point, with five wins and a tie in front of their fans at Michael Tully Field; the highlight was the comprehensive 4-1 win over Vermont Voltage
in mid-June. On the road, however, the Rough Riders were less dominant, their only further win coming in the final game of the season, 2-1 over the Westchester Flames
. Elsewhere, they endured some difficult defeats, notably a 4-2 loss to the Rhode Island Stingrays
in which the home team scored twice in the last 7 minutes. The Rough Riders' first season at level 4 ended with them fourth in the Northeast Division, 9 points behind divisional champs Cape Cod Crusaders
, just out of the playoffs. Mike Grella
was top scorer, with 5 goals, while Jose Batista contributed 5 assists.
Long Island were again playoff contenders in 2008. They tied their first game of the season 1-1 before demolishing Virginia Legacy 5-1 in the next fixture, with Mike Grella
scoring a hat trick. The team was superb at home all season long, with five wins and three ties in their eight games at Michael Tully Field. They won an exiting encounter 4-3 over the Westchester Flames
in early June, scored a 90th minute equalizer through goalkeeper Hasely Holder to tie 3-3 with Newark Ironbound Express
, and flattened poor New Jersey Rangers
6-0, with Grella and Anthony Barberio both scoring 2 goals each. As was the case in 2007, their form on the road was their ultimate downfall, as the Rough Riders suffered four defeats, including a comprehensive 3-0 loss to the Ottawa Fury
. Frustratingly, the Rough Riders finished the season third in the Northeast Division, just two points behind Newark Ironbound Express
, and agonizingly out of the playoffs for the second straight year. Mike Grella
and Michael Todd were top scorers, with 5 goals each, while both Todd and Tadeu Terra
registered 4 assists.
This list of notable former players comprises players who went on to play professional soccer after playing for the team in the Premier Development League, or those who previously played professionally before joining the team.
Gary Ablett Chris Aloisi
Chris Armas
Edgar Bartolomeu
Michael Behonick
Edson Buddle
Wilmer Cabrera
Matt Chulis
Jordan Cila
Sam Craven
John Diffley
Mike Grella
Alex Grendi
Andrew Herman
Steve Jolley
Darko Kolić
Luke Magill
Laurent Manuel
Richard Martinez Saul Martinez
Neil McNab
Chris Megaloudis
Óscar Mejía
Tony Meola
Carlos Mendes
Mo Oduor
Paul Robson
Jim Rooney Giovanni Savarese
Gary Sullivan
John Wolyniec
Jeff Zaun
(2005-2006) Dan Fisher (2007-2009) Paul Roderick (2010-present)
South Huntington, New York
South Huntington is a hamlet in Suffolk County, New York, United States. The population was 9,465 at the 2000 census....
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. Founded in 1994, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League
USL Premier Development League
The USL Premier Development League is the amateur league of the United Soccer Leagues in the United States, Canada, and Bermuda, forming part of the American Soccer Pyramid...
(PDL), the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid
American Soccer Pyramid
The United States soccer pyramid is a term used in soccer to describe the structure of the league system in the United States. The country's governing body for the sport, the United States Soccer Federation , oversees the system but does not operate any of its component leagues—with one temporary...
, in the Mid Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference.
The team plays its home games at Cy Donnelly Stadium on the campus of St. Anthony's High School, where they have played since 2009. The team's colors are white and blue.
The team has a sister organization, the Long Island Rough Riders Women
Long Island Rough Riders (W-League)
Long Island Rough Riders, also known as Long Island Lady Riders, is an American women’s soccer team, founded in 2003. The team is a member of the United Soccer Leagues W-League, the second tier of women’s soccer in the United States and Canada. The team plays in the Northeast Division of the...
, who play in the women's USL W-League, and also enters a team in the Super-20 League
Super-20 League
The United Soccer Leagues Super-20 League is an American-Canadian soccer league for players 17 to 20 years of age. Introduced in 2006 it took the place of the U-19 age bracket in the Super Y-League....
, a league for players 17 to 20 years of age run under the United Soccer Leagues
United Soccer Leagues
The United Soccer Leagues is the organizer of several soccer leagues with teams in the United States, Canada and the Caribbean. It includes men's and women's leagues, both professional and amateur. Leagues currently organized are the USL Pro, the USL Premier Development League, the W-League, and...
umbrella.
Early Years in the USISL
The Rough Riders played their first season in 1994, fielding a team in the USISL that featured future US national team playerUnited States men's national soccer team
The United States men's national soccer team represents the United States in international association football competitions. It is controlled by the United States Soccer Federation and competes in CONCACAF...
Chris Armas
Chris Armas
Chris Armas is a retired American soccer player. He is currently the head women's soccer coach at Adelphi University. He was also a teacher of physical education at St. Anthony's High School in South Huntington, New York.-College:Armas is of Puerto Rican descent...
, who would lead the team in scoring with eight goals and four assists. The team won the Northeast Division in its debut year, seven points ahead of North Jersey Dragons with a 13-5 record, and comfortably won through the first couple of rounds of the playoffs with victories over the New Jersey Imperials and the Dragons. The Rough Riders were placed in the "Raleigh Group" of the USISL 'Sizzling Nine' Championships, and qualified along with the Minnesota Thunder
Minnesota Thunder
Minnesota Thunder was an American professional soccer team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States. Founded in 1990, the team played in the USL First Division , the second tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, until 2009. The team played its home games at the National Sports Center in nearby...
to face Greensboro Dynamo in the national semi final; they lost the game 2-1 in overtime, and Greensboro went on to take the title.
For their second season in 1995, the Rough Riders added several more players who would go on to excel in Major League Soccer
Major League Soccer
Major League Soccer is a professional soccer league based in the United States and sanctioned by the United States Soccer Federation . The league is composed of 19 teams — 16 in the U.S. and 3 in Canada...
, including national team goalkeeper Tony Meola
Tony Meola
Antonio Michael "Tony" Meola is an American former soccer goalkeeper who played for the United States national team at the 1990 and 1994 World Cups, and from 1996 to 2006 played in Major League Soccer, the U.S. top soccer division, where he obtained multiple honors...
, Jim Rooney, and Giovanni Savarese
Giovanni Savarese
Giovanni Savarese is a former Venezuelan football player of Italian descent who is best known for his stay with New York/New Jersey MetroStars of Major League Soccer.- Club career :...
, who would be named the USISL regular season and playoff MVP, and who scored 23 goals during the campaign. The Rough Riders finished that season with a 19-1 record, top of the Coastal Conference for a second year running, and received a bye to the 'Sizzling Nine' Championship tournament. Wins over the Monterey Bay Jaguars and the New Mexico Chiles
New Mexico Chiles
The New Mexico Chiles were an American soccer club established in 1990 which competed in the American Professional Soccer League. In 1991, the team merged with the New Mexico Roadrunners and moved to the USISL until its disestablishment in 1996....
in group play took them to the national semi final for a second time. Unlike '95, the Rough Riders won their semi 5-2 over the Tampa Bay Cyclones, and then beat Minnesota Thunder
Minnesota Thunder
Minnesota Thunder was an American professional soccer team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States. Founded in 1990, the team played in the USL First Division , the second tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, until 2009. The team played its home games at the National Sports Center in nearby...
2-1 to win the USISL Championship.
The Rough Riders lost several players to the nascent MLS in 1996, including Meola and Savarese, but went on to have a successful season nevertheless, finishing with an 11-7 record and winning the North Atlantic Division. They beat Delaware Wizards
Delaware Wizards
The Delaware Wizards were soccer club based in Wilmington and New Castle, Delaware. The team played their first game in 1993 and their last in 2000...
2-0 in the second round of the playoffs, and qualified from a 'Select Six' tournament group that comprised Minnesota Thunder
Minnesota Thunder
Minnesota Thunder was an American professional soccer team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States. Founded in 1990, the team played in the USL First Division , the second tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, until 2009. The team played its home games at the National Sports Center in nearby...
and Hampton Roads Mariners, but lost 1-0 to the Richmond Kickers
Richmond Kickers
The Richmond Kickers are an American professional soccer club based in Richmond, Virginia, United States. Founded in 1993, the team plays in the American Division of the USL Professional Division, the third tier of the American Soccer Pyramid...
in the playoff semi-finals.
Promotion to the A-League
With the merger of the USISL and the APSL in 1997, the Rough Riders decided to move up and began their first season in the A-LeagueUSL First Division
The United Soccer Leagues First Division was a professional men's soccer league in the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico....
in that year. They finished their first regular season third in the Northeast Division behind Montreal Impact
Montreal Impact
Montreal Impact was a Canadian professional soccer club based in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Founded in 1992, the team played in the North American Soccer League , the second tier of the American Soccer Pyramid until the 2011 season. The owner Joey Saputo now operates the MLS team Montreal ImpactThe...
with a 13-10-5 record, and beat Rochester Raging Rhinos
Rochester Raging Rhinos
The Rochester Rhinos are an American professional soccer team based in Rochester, New York, United States. Founded in 1996, the team plays in the National Division of the new USL Professional Division, the third tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, having self-relegated from the USSF D2 Pro League...
and the Impact in the playoffs, before losing the Carolina Dynamo
Carolina Dynamo
Carolina Dynamo is an American soccer team based in Greensboro, North Carolina, United States. Founded in 1993, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the South Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference.The team plays its home...
in the semi-final round. The Rough Riders also enjoyed a run to the quarter finals of the US Open Cup, beating USASA
USASA
The United States Adult Soccer Association is a national organization and sanctioning body for amateur soccer in the United States...
amateur team Bridgeport Italians in the second round, and then upsetting Major League Soccer
Major League Soccer
Major League Soccer is a professional soccer league based in the United States and sanctioned by the United States Soccer Federation . The league is composed of 19 teams — 16 in the U.S. and 3 in Canada...
side New England Revolution
New England Revolution
The New England Revolution is an American professional association football club based in Foxborough, Massachusetts which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada...
4-3 before eventually falling to the MetroStars
Metrostars
Metrostar may refer to:*New York Red Bulls, formerly called the "MetroStars", a soccer team from New York*Manila Metro Rail Transit System, popularly called "The Metrostar Express", a part of the metropolitan rail system in Manila...
1-0 on a golden goal
Golden goal
The golden goal is a method used in association football, field hockey, ice hockey and korfball to decide the winner of games in elimination matches which end in a draw after the end of regulation time. It is a type of sudden death. Golden goal rules allow the team that scores the first goal during...
. Defender Travis Rinker made the All A-League Team that year.
The Rough Riders finished 4th in the Northeast Division behind Rochester in 1998, and lost in the first round of the playoffs to the Richmond Kickers
Richmond Kickers
The Richmond Kickers are an American professional soccer club based in Richmond, Virginia, United States. Founded in 1993, the team plays in the American Division of the USL Professional Division, the third tier of the American Soccer Pyramid...
. 1999 was a similar story - 3rd behind the Rhinos in the regular season, and defeat in the first round of the playoffs to the Pittsburgh Riverdogs, although strikers John Wolyniec
John Wolyniec
John Wolyniec is a former American soccer player who is now a coach in the New York Red Bulls youth system.-Youth and Amateur:...
and Darko Kolic
Darko Kolic
Darko Kolić is a former Serbian footballer.- Career :Kolić started his professional career in Yugoslavia in 1992, first with FK Rad, in the First Division and then FK Hajduk Beograd, in Second Division...
were much more prolific, scoring 15 and 7 goals respectively.
Fortunes improved significantly in 2000, as the Rough Riders took their first regular season title at this level, winning the Northeast Division by one point from the Rochester Raging Rhinos
Rochester Raging Rhinos
The Rochester Rhinos are an American professional soccer team based in Rochester, New York, United States. Founded in 1996, the team plays in the National Division of the new USL Professional Division, the third tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, having self-relegated from the USSF D2 Pro League...
with a 16-9-4 record, with striker Edson Buddle
Edson Buddle
Edson Buddle is an American soccer player who currently plays for Ingolstadt 04 in Second Bundesliga, the second-highest level of competition of soccer in Germany. Buddle previously spent his entire career in North America, beginning in 2000 with the Long Island Rough Riders, who played in the USL...
contributing 11 of the team's 54 goals, and goalkeeper Paul Grafer
Paul Grafer
Paul Grafer is a retired American soccer goalkeeper who spent five seasons in Major League Soccer with the Colorado Rapids and MetroStars. He is currently the goalkeeper coach for the United States U-17 men's national soccer team.-Youth:Grafer graduated from St. Mary's High School in 1993...
posting a 1.29 GAA average. Their title came thanks to 9 bonus points earned for scoring 3 or more goals in a game. However, for a third straight season, playoff success eluded them, as they were dispatched 2-1 by the Toronto Lynx
Toronto Lynx
Toronto Lynx is a Canadian soccer team based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Founded in 1997, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Great Lakes Division of the Central Conference....
in the conference quarter finals.
The high of the first year of the new millennium was followed by a disappointing low in 2001 as the Rough Riders slumped to their first losing record in years - 8-16-4 - and finished sixth in the Northern Conference, a full 42 points behind divisional champions Hershey Wildcats
Hershey Wildcats
Hershey Wildcats were a professional soccer team, based in Hershey, Pennsylvania, USA, that played in the USL A-League between 1997 and 2001. The team was owned by Hershey Entertainment and Resorts Company...
, and out of the playoffs. Following this disastrous campaign, the team's ownership group decided to voluntarily relegate the team to the D3 Pro League for the 2002 campaign.
Back to the Third Tier - USL Second Division
The Rough Riders bounced back magnificently in 2002; they won the D3-Pro League Atlantic Conference with an impressive 13-6-1 record, six points clear of New York FreedomNew York Freedom
The New York Freedom are a defunct American soccer club based in New York, New York.-Year-by-year:...
in second place, with Derrick Etienne and Cordt Weinstein hitting 27 goals between them, and goalkeeper Billy Gatti maintaining an imposing presence between the pipes. They squeaked past New York on penalty kicks after a 2-2 tie in the playoff quarter finals, but enjoyed a dominant 3-0 win over the Connecticut Wolves
Connecticut Wolves
The Connecticut Wolves were a soccer club that competed in the United Soccer Leagues from 1993 to 2002. Based in New Britain, Connecticut, and playing in Veteran's Stadium, the club started in the D-3 Pro League before moving to the A-League in 1997.-History:...
in the semi final to reach the championship game at the first attempt; the final against Southern Conference champions Wilmington Hammerheads
Wilmington Hammerheads
Wilmington Hammerheads is an American professional soccer team based in Wilmington, North Carolina. Founded in 1996, the team plays in the American Division of the new USL Professional Division, the third tier of the American Soccer Pyramid....
was a tight game, but the Rough Riders emerged as 2-1 victors, to take their second championship in franchise history.
The Rough Riders retained their divisional title in 2003, despite the league being re-aligned and renamed the Pro Select League, with a 13-4-3 record, 13 points clear of the New Jersey Stallions
New Jersey Stallions
The New Jersey Stallions were an American soccer team, founded in 1996, which competed in various divisions of the United Soccer Leagues until 2004, after which the team left the league and the franchise was terminated....
, their closest rival, and with Derrick Etienne again hitting 10 goals. The Rough Riders enjoyed some impressive victories in the regular season campaign, including a 3-0 victory on the road in May over Westchester Flames
Westchester Flames
Westchester Flames is an American soccer team based in New Rochelle, New York, United States. Founded in 1999, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Mid Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference.The team plays its home games...
, a 4-1 road win over Jersey Falcons
Jersey Falcons
Jersey Falcons were an American soccer team, founded in 2001. The team was a member of the United Soccer Leagues Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, until 2004, when the team left the league and the franchise was terminated.They played their home games in...
in early July, and a pair of comprehensive wins over Reading Rage
Reading Rage
Reading United A.C. is an American soccer team based in Reading, Pennsylvania. Founded in 1996, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Mid-Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference....
, 5-1 and 4-1. The Rough Riders also made their second trip to the US Open Cup this year, but were upset in the second round by PDL team Mid Michigan Bucks, who came from a goal down to register a 2-1 win. Despite being hot favorites to progress through the playoffs, they were upset by the Stallions 5-4 on penalties after a 0-0 tie in playoff regional final, and were left to reflect on a disappointing end to the season while the Wilmington Hammerheads
Wilmington Hammerheads
Wilmington Hammerheads is an American professional soccer team based in Wilmington, North Carolina. Founded in 1996, the team plays in the American Division of the new USL Professional Division, the third tier of the American Soccer Pyramid....
went on to take the title.
Unexpectedly, the Rough Riders struggled in 2004, finishing the season with an 8-11-1 record, decisively in the Atlantic Division's cellar behind the Pittsburgh Riverhounds
Pittsburgh Riverhounds
Pittsburgh Riverhounds is an American professional soccer team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States. Founded in 1999, the team plays in the National Division of the new USL Professional Division, the third tier of the American Soccer Pyramid....
and the expansion Harrisburg City Islanders
Harrisburg City Islanders
Harrisburg City Islanders is an American professional soccer team based in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, United States. Founded in 2004, the team plays in the National Division of the new USL Professional Division, the third tier of the American Soccer Pyramid....
, and failing to make the playoffs. The season was, however, significant because it marked the return of two old-time Rough Riders - Jim Rooney from the New England Revolution
New England Revolution
The New England Revolution is an American professional association football club based in Foxborough, Massachusetts which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada...
and Giovanni Savarese
Giovanni Savarese
Giovanni Savarese is a former Venezuelan football player of Italian descent who is best known for his stay with New York/New Jersey MetroStars of Major League Soccer.- Club career :...
from overseas. Derrick Etienne was again Long Island's top scorer, hitting 11 goals on the season.
The USL Pro Soccer League became the USL Second Division in 2005, and reverted to a single-table format, comprising just nine teams, all on the east coast. The season started in up-and-down fashion, with the Rough Riders never quite stringing a run of form together. An opening day 4-1 win over the Northern Virginia Royals
Northern Virginia Royals
Northern Virginia Royals is an American soccer team based in Woodbridge, Virginia, United States. Founded in 1998, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the South Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference.The team plays its home...
was followed by a win over New Hampshire Phantoms
New Hampshire Phantoms
New Hampshire Phantoms is an American soccer team based in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, United States. Founded in 1996, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference.The team plays its home...
, then 2 losses, then 2 wins, then three losses... and so it went. The team did enjoy a couple of comprehensive victories, during the mid-season, notably a second 4-1 win over Northern Virginia Royals
Northern Virginia Royals
Northern Virginia Royals is an American soccer team based in Woodbridge, Virginia, United States. Founded in 1998, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the South Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference.The team plays its home...
in which Moussa Sy
Moussa Sy
Moussa Sy is a Guinean football Striker with the Long Island Rough Riders of the United Soccer Leagues.-Source:*...
scored all four goals, and a 5-2 hammering of New Hampshire Phantoms
New Hampshire Phantoms
New Hampshire Phantoms is an American soccer team based in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, United States. Founded in 1996, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference.The team plays its home...
in early July, but elsewhere things were tough; even their US Open Cup campaign ended early with a shocking 4-0 defeat to PDL side Ocean City Barons
Ocean City Barons
Ocean City Nor'easters is an American soccer team based in Ocean City, New Jersey, United States. Founded in 1996, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Mid-Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference.The team plays its home...
in the second round. The Rough Riders lost their final five games of the regular season, including a demoralizing 4-1 thrashing at home at the hands of Western Mass Pioneers
Western Mass Pioneers
Western Mass Pioneers is an American soccer team based in Ludlow, Massachusetts, United States. Founded in 1998, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference.The team plays its home games...
, and finished the season in 6th place with a 7-13-0 record, missing the playoffs for a second straight year. Yet again, the prolific Derrick Etienne was Long Island's top scorer, with 9 goals, while Wilmer Cabrera
Wilmer Cabrera
Wílmer Cabrera Linares is a retired football defender, he works currently as the head coach of the United States Under-17 national team.-Career:...
contributed 5 assists.
2006 was arguably the worst season in the history of team, with them finishing the year at the bottom of the table with just three wins and fifteen goals to their credit. The season started in disastrous fashion with a shocking 13-game winless streak stretching from the opening day through to mid-July, and included several comprehensive losses: 5-0 to Richmond Kickers
Richmond Kickers
The Richmond Kickers are an American professional soccer club based in Richmond, Virginia, United States. Founded in 1993, the team plays in the American Division of the USL Professional Division, the third tier of the American Soccer Pyramid...
, 3-0 to Harrisburg City Islanders
Harrisburg City Islanders
Harrisburg City Islanders is an American professional soccer team based in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, United States. Founded in 2004, the team plays in the National Division of the new USL Professional Division, the third tier of the American Soccer Pyramid....
, 3-0 to Wilmington Hammerheads
Wilmington Hammerheads
Wilmington Hammerheads is an American professional soccer team based in Wilmington, North Carolina. Founded in 1996, the team plays in the American Division of the new USL Professional Division, the third tier of the American Soccer Pyramid....
. Their first victory was against New Hampshire Phantoms
New Hampshire Phantoms
New Hampshire Phantoms is an American soccer team based in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, United States. Founded in 1996, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference.The team plays its home...
at home, a scrappy 1-0 affair settled by an 84th minute strike from Moussa Sy
Moussa Sy
Moussa Sy is a Guinean football Striker with the Long Island Rough Riders of the United Soccer Leagues.-Source:*...
; the high point of the season was the see-saw 3-2 win over Wilmington on the final day of the season, but it all too little too late for the Rough Riders. Following this disastrous campaign, the team chose to voluntarily relegate themselves to the USL Premier Development League
USL Premier Development League
The USL Premier Development League is the amateur league of the United Soccer Leagues in the United States, Canada, and Bermuda, forming part of the American Soccer Pyramid...
for the 2007 season.
USL Premier Development League
The Rough Riders first season as an amateur side in 2007 actually began very promisingly, with four straight wins in their first four games, including a 3-1 win on the road over the Brooklyn KnightsBrooklyn Knights
Brooklyn Knights is an American soccer team based in New York, New York, United States. Founded in 1999, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Mid Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference.The team plays its home games at the...
. Their excellent early-season form took them to the US Open Cup for the fourth time - their first as a member of the amateur ranks - but for the third time they suffered an early exit, although this time the result was less of a shock as it was at the hands of USL First Division
USL First Division
The United Soccer Leagues First Division was a professional men's soccer league in the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico....
stalwarts Rochester Raging Rhinos
Rochester Raging Rhinos
The Rochester Rhinos are an American professional soccer team based in Rochester, New York, United States. Founded in 1996, the team plays in the National Division of the new USL Professional Division, the third tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, having self-relegated from the USSF D2 Pro League...
. Long Island's home form was their strong point, with five wins and a tie in front of their fans at Michael Tully Field; the highlight was the comprehensive 4-1 win over Vermont Voltage
Vermont Voltage
Vermont Voltage is an American soccer team based in St. Albans, Vermont, United States. Founded in 1997, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference, having spent the 2009 season on...
in mid-June. On the road, however, the Rough Riders were less dominant, their only further win coming in the final game of the season, 2-1 over the Westchester Flames
Westchester Flames
Westchester Flames is an American soccer team based in New Rochelle, New York, United States. Founded in 1999, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Mid Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference.The team plays its home games...
. Elsewhere, they endured some difficult defeats, notably a 4-2 loss to the Rhode Island Stingrays
Rhode Island Stingrays
Rhode Island Stingrays was an American soccer team based in Providence, Rhode Island, United States. Founded in 1995, the team played in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, until 2009, after which the franchise folded and the team left the league.The...
in which the home team scored twice in the last 7 minutes. The Rough Riders' first season at level 4 ended with them fourth in the Northeast Division, 9 points behind divisional champs Cape Cod Crusaders
Cape Cod Crusaders
Cape Cod Crusaders were an American soccer team based in Buzzards Bay, Massachusetts, United States. Founded in 1994, the team played in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, until 2008, when the franchise folded and the team left the league.The team...
, just out of the playoffs. Mike Grella
Mike Grella
Michael Grella is an American professional soccer player who plays for Brentford. He plays as a striker. He was a United States Under-20 International and a highly rated talent in USA...
was top scorer, with 5 goals, while Jose Batista contributed 5 assists.
Long Island were again playoff contenders in 2008. They tied their first game of the season 1-1 before demolishing Virginia Legacy 5-1 in the next fixture, with Mike Grella
Mike Grella
Michael Grella is an American professional soccer player who plays for Brentford. He plays as a striker. He was a United States Under-20 International and a highly rated talent in USA...
scoring a hat trick. The team was superb at home all season long, with five wins and three ties in their eight games at Michael Tully Field. They won an exiting encounter 4-3 over the Westchester Flames
Westchester Flames
Westchester Flames is an American soccer team based in New Rochelle, New York, United States. Founded in 1999, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Mid Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference.The team plays its home games...
in early June, scored a 90th minute equalizer through goalkeeper Hasely Holder to tie 3-3 with Newark Ironbound Express
Newark Ironbound Express
Jersey Express is an American soccer team based in Newark, New Jersey, United States. Founded in 2007, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Mid Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference...
, and flattened poor New Jersey Rangers
New Jersey Rangers
New Jersey Rangers is an American soccer team based in Denville, New Jersey, United States. Founded in 2007, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Mid Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference.The team plays its home games in...
6-0, with Grella and Anthony Barberio both scoring 2 goals each. As was the case in 2007, their form on the road was their ultimate downfall, as the Rough Riders suffered four defeats, including a comprehensive 3-0 loss to the Ottawa Fury
Ottawa Fury
Ottawa Fury is a Canadian soccer team based in Ottawa, Ontario. Founded in 2005, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference....
. Frustratingly, the Rough Riders finished the season third in the Northeast Division, just two points behind Newark Ironbound Express
Newark Ironbound Express
Jersey Express is an American soccer team based in Newark, New Jersey, United States. Founded in 2007, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Mid Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference...
, and agonizingly out of the playoffs for the second straight year. Mike Grella
Mike Grella
Michael Grella is an American professional soccer player who plays for Brentford. He plays as a striker. He was a United States Under-20 International and a highly rated talent in USA...
and Michael Todd were top scorers, with 5 goals each, while both Todd and Tadeu Terra
Tadeu Terra
Tadeu Souza Terra is a Brazilian footballer currently playing for MyPa in the Veikkausliiga.-College and amateur:...
registered 4 assists.
Current roster
As of June 10, 2011.Notable former players
- See also: All-time Long Island Rough Riders rosterAll-time Long Island Rough Riders rosterThis list comprises all players who have participated in at least one league match for Long Island Rough Riders in the USL since the league began keeping detailed records in 2003...
This list of notable former players comprises players who went on to play professional soccer after playing for the team in the Premier Development League, or those who previously played professionally before joining the team.
Gary Ablett Chris Aloisi
Chris Aloisi
Chris Aloisi is an American soccer player who currently plays for Long Island Rough Riders in the USL Premier Development League.-College:...
Chris Armas
Chris Armas
Chris Armas is a retired American soccer player. He is currently the head women's soccer coach at Adelphi University. He was also a teacher of physical education at St. Anthony's High School in South Huntington, New York.-College:Armas is of Puerto Rican descent...
Edgar Bartolomeu
Edgar Bartolomeu
Edgar Jaime Pereira Bartolomeu is a former Angolan professional soccer player. Arriving in Canada as a youth, he has since retired moved back to his native Angola....
Michael Behonick
Michael Behonick
Michael Behonick is a retired American soccer player who last played for the Puerto Rico Islanders of the USL First Division...
Edson Buddle
Edson Buddle
Edson Buddle is an American soccer player who currently plays for Ingolstadt 04 in Second Bundesliga, the second-highest level of competition of soccer in Germany. Buddle previously spent his entire career in North America, beginning in 2000 with the Long Island Rough Riders, who played in the USL...
Wilmer Cabrera
Wilmer Cabrera
Wílmer Cabrera Linares is a retired football defender, he works currently as the head coach of the United States Under-17 national team.-Career:...
Matt Chulis
Matt Chulis
Matt Chulis is a retired U.S. soccer defender who is currently Associate Head Coach with the University of Virginia men’s soccer team. He was the captain of the U.S. U-20 national team at the 1997 FIFA World Youth Championship...
Jordan Cila
Jordan Cila
Jordan Cila is a former American soccer midfielder who now works at Goldman Sachs.As a teenager, Cila trained at the Bradenton Academy with the Under-17 United States national team, with such players as Landon Donovan, DaMarcus Beasley, and Bobby Convey. He played for the United States in the 1999...
Sam Craven
Sam Craven
Sam Craven is an English footballer currently playing for F.C. New York in the USL Professional Division.-College and Amateur:...
John Diffley
John Diffley
John Diffley is a retired American soccer player who is currently the Senior Associate Athletic Director for Administration at St. John's University.-Youth and college:...
Mike Grella
Mike Grella
Michael Grella is an American professional soccer player who plays for Brentford. He plays as a striker. He was a United States Under-20 International and a highly rated talent in USA...
Alex Grendi
Alex Grendi
Alex Grendi is an American soccer player who currently plays for Wilmington Hammerheads in the USL Professional Division.-College:Grendi played college soccer at the University of Pennsylvania...
Andrew Herman
Andrew Herman
Andrew Herman is an American soccer striker who currently plays for the Long Island Rough Riders of the USL Premier Development League....
Steve Jolley
Steve Jolley
Steve Jolley is a retired American soccer defender, who spent ten seasons in Major League Soccer and one in the USL Premier Development League....
Darko Kolić
Darko Kolic
Darko Kolić is a former Serbian footballer.- Career :Kolić started his professional career in Yugoslavia in 1992, first with FK Rad, in the First Division and then FK Hajduk Beograd, in Second Division...
Luke Magill
Luke Magill
Luke Magill is an English footballer, currently playing for Dayton Dutch Lions in the USL Professional Division.-Youth and Amateur:...
Laurent Manuel
Laurent Manuel
Laurent Manuel is an American soccer player.-Youth and College:Manuel was a member of the youth academy at famed French club Olympique de Marseille, before playing four years of college soccer at Brown University....
Richard Martinez Saul Martinez
Saul Martínez
Saul Martínez is a football forward who currently plays in for Victoria.Saul is married and he and his wife, Roxana, have a baby boy, Joshua, born in September 2005 in Miami, Florida and two girls , Kiara and Natalie, born in June 2009...
Neil McNab
Neil McNab
Neil McNab is a former Scottish footballer who played in the midfield position.-Playing career:McNab began his career in 1972 with Greenock Morton where he made 14 appearances before 1974, becoming the club’s youngest ever professional. He was signed by Tottenham Hotspur and became their youngest...
Chris Megaloudis
Chris Megaloudis
Christopher Megaloudis is an American-born Puerto Rican football striker who plays for F.C. New York in the third division USL Pro and the Puerto Rican national team....
Óscar Mejía
Óscar Mejía
Oscar Abreu Mejia is a Dominican football Goalkeeper who last played for C.D. Luis Ángel Firpo In El Salvador.Mejía has appeared for the Dominican Republic national football team in 11 qualifying matches for FIFA World Cups....
Tony Meola
Tony Meola
Antonio Michael "Tony" Meola is an American former soccer goalkeeper who played for the United States national team at the 1990 and 1994 World Cups, and from 1996 to 2006 played in Major League Soccer, the U.S. top soccer division, where he obtained multiple honors...
Carlos Mendes
Carlos Mendes
Carlos Mendes is an American soccer player who most recently played for New York Red Bulls in Major League Soccer.-College:...
Mo Oduor
Mo Oduor
Moffat "Mo" Oduor is a Kenyan soccer player who currently plays for Harrisburg City Islanders in the USL Second Division.-College:...
Paul Robson
Paul Robson
Paul Robson is an English footballer who is currently unattached-England:Robson was on the books of Doncaster Rovers as a youth team player until 2001, when he joined Charlton Athletic...
Jim Rooney Giovanni Savarese
Giovanni Savarese
Giovanni Savarese is a former Venezuelan football player of Italian descent who is best known for his stay with New York/New Jersey MetroStars of Major League Soccer.- Club career :...
Gary Sullivan
Gary Sullivan (soccer)
Gary Sullivan is an American soccer defender who plays for the Long Island Rough Riders. He spent one season with the Colorado Rapids in Major League Soccer.-Youth:...
John Wolyniec
John Wolyniec
John Wolyniec is a former American soccer player who is now a coach in the New York Red Bulls youth system.-Youth and Amateur:...
Jeff Zaun
Jeff Zaun
Jeff Zaun is a retired U.S. soccer defender who is currently an assistant coach with the Rutgers University men’s soccer team...
Year-by-year
Year | Division | League | Regular Season | Playoffs | Open Cup |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1994 | 3 | USISL | 1st, Northeast | Sizzling Nine | Did not enter |
1995 | 3 | USISL Pro League | 1st, Coastal | Champion | Did not qualify |
1996 | 3 | USISL Select League | 1st, North Atlantic | Semifinals | Did not qualify |
1997 | 2 | USISL A-League | 3rd, Northeast | Division Finals | Quarterfinals |
1998 | 2 | USISL A-League | 4th, Northeast | Conference Quarterfinals | Did not qualify |
1999 | 2 | USL A-League | 3rd, Northeast | Conference Quarterfinals | Did not qualify |
2000 | 2 | USL A-League | 1st, Northeast | Conference Quarterfinals | Did not qualify |
2001 | 2 | USL A-League | 6th, Northern | Did not qualify | Did not qualify |
2002 | 3 | USL D3-Pro League | 1st, Atlantic | Champion | Did not qualify |
2003 | 3 | USL Pro Select League | 1st, Atlantic | Regional Finals | 2nd Round |
2004 | 3 | USL Pro Soccer League | 3rd, Atlantic | Did not qualify | Did not qualify |
2005 | 3 | USL Second Division | 6th | Did not qualify | 2nd Round |
2006 | 3 | USL Second Division | 9th | Did not qualify | Did not qualify |
2007 | 4 | USL PDL | 4th, Northeast | Did not qualify | 1st Round |
2008 | 4 | USL PDL | 3rd, Northeast | Did not qualify | Did not qualify |
2009 | 4 | USL PDL | 2nd, Northeast | Divisional Semifinals | Did not qualify |
2010 | 4 | USL PDL | 4th, Northeast | Did not qualify | 2nd Round |
2011 | 4 | USL PDL | 1st, Mid Atlantic | National Semifinals | Did not qualify |
Honors
- USL PDL Eastern Conference Champions 2011
- USL PDL Mid Atlantic Division Champions 2011
- USL Pro Select League Atlantic Conference Champions 2003
- USL D3-Pro League Champions 2002
- USL D3-Pro League Atlantic Conference Champions 2002
- USL A-League Northeast Conference Champions 2000
- USISL Select League North Atlantic Conference Champions 1996
- USISL Pro League Champions 1995
- USISL Pro League Coastal Conference Champions 1995
- USISL Northeast Conference Champions 1994
Head coaches
Flavio FerriFlavio Ferri
Flavio Ferri is a retired Brazilian soccer forward who spent several seasons in the USISL. He was the 1995 USISL leading scorer and MVP. He is currently the President and General Manager of the Long Island Rough Riders.-Youth:...
(2005-2006) Dan Fisher (2007-2009) Paul Roderick (2010-present)
Stadia
- Mitchel Athletic ComplexMitchel Athletic ComplexThe Mitchel Athletic Complex is part of the Mitchel Field complex, located in Uniondale, New York, in the United States. Mitchel Athletic Complex was built in 1984 and renovated in 1997; it hosted track and field events during the 1998 Goodwill Games....
; Uniondale, New YorkUniondale, New YorkUniondale is a hamlet as well as a suburb of New York City in Nassau County, New York, United States, on Long Island, in the Town of Hempstead. The population was 24,759 at the 2010 United States Census.-Geography:...
(2003-2006) - Citibank ParkCitibank ParkBethpage Ballpark is a 6,002-seat baseball park in Central Islip, New York that serves as the home of the Long Island Ducks, an independent minor league baseball team that is a member of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball. Its first regular season game took place on May 14, 2000, when...
; Central Islip, New YorkCentral Islip, New YorkCentral Islip is a hamlet and census-designated place in Suffolk County, New York, U.S.. The population was 31,950 at the 2000 census.-History and overview:...
, 2 games (2003) - Stadium at Stony Brook University; Stony Brook, New YorkStony Brook, New YorkStony Brook is a hamlet located in the Town of Brookhaven in Suffolk County, New York, which is on the North Shore of Long Island...
, 4 games (2005-2006) - Michael Tully Field; New Hyde Park, New YorkNew Hyde Park, New YorkNew Hyde Park is a village in Nassau County, New York, United States, on Long Island.The population of the Village of New Hyde Park was 9,712 at the 2010 census...
(2007-2008) - Belson StadiumBelson StadiumBelson Stadium is a soccer-specific stadium located in Jamaica, Queens, New York on the Queens campus of St. John's University.An interesting feature of the stadium is that it is built on top of a parking garage to save space in a crowded urban environment. The official capacity is listed as 2,600...
; Jamaica, New York, 1 game (2007) - Cy Donnelly Stadium at St. Anthony's High School; South Huntington, New YorkSouth Huntington, New YorkSouth Huntington is a hamlet in Suffolk County, New York, United States. The population was 9,465 at the 2000 census....
(2009-present) - Stadium at MacArthur High School; Levittown, New YorkLevittown, New YorkLevittown is a hamlet in the Town of Hempstead located on Long Island in Nassau County, New York. Levittown is midway between the villages of Hempstead and Farmingdale. As of the 2010 census, the CDP had a total population of 51,881....
, 2 games (2010-2011)
Average attendance
Attendance stats are calculated by averaging each team's self-reported home attendances from the historical match archive at http://www.uslsoccer.com/history/index_E.html.- 2007: 558
- 2008: 628
- 2009: 510
- 2010: 423