Major League Soccer Star Alecko Eskandarian a Hit at Soccer Clinic in New City

The Clarkstown Soccer Club held a free soccer clinic that had some extra kick Saturday at Kennedy-Dells Park in New City.

The clinic was hosted by Major League Soccer star Alecko Eskandarian, who drew hundreds of youth soccer players from ages 5 to 18 for the event.

Eskandarian, a native of Montvale, N.J., attended Bergen Catholic High School and the University of Virginia and is now a member of the MLS team L.A. Galaxy. With more than 125 MLS appearances and 30 goals, Eskandarian was a true gentleman in giving up his time to help youth soccer players fulfill their dreams. Eskandarian is currently injured and will miss the remainder of the 2010 MLS season.

When asked what was keeping him off the field, Eskandarian answered, "I have a few injuries at the moment, but it is concussions keeping me off the field right now."  

A former winner of the Hermann Trophy, an award given annually to the top college soccer player, and a two-time MLS all-star, Eskandarian has long ties to the Clarkstown Soccer Club.

"A lot of these [Clarkstown Soccer Club] coaches coached me when I was younger. We stay in touch," said Eskandarian.

The Clarkstown Soccer Club is quite large and always welcomes new members. There are two divisions of the club: Intramural and Travel. Both divisions have teams ranging from Under 8-years-old to Under 18-years-old for boys and girls.

The intramural program at the Clarkstown Soccer Club has more than 2,000 members and really emphasizes exercise, fun and, of course, teamwork to footballers of all skill levels.

"Every kid gets to play regardless of skill level," said Intramural Coordinator Mike Moran. The intramural season will be starting soon and playing through the fall.  

The travel program is for the more serious or competitive footballer and the travel team is active 10 months out of the year. The U-18 travel team really tries to get their players, mostly high school students, exposure at the collegiate level.

Club President John Moran said, "We like to give back to the community as much as possible. The goal is to continue having kids play soccer and enjoy the game."

Moran graduated Clarkstown High School South and was a former member of the Clarkstown Soccer Club.

The club also hosts a spring development program. The program includes six Saturday practices at Kennedy-Dells Park for children in grades K-4. More information can be found at the club's website.