Mineola seeks state amateur championship

Gabriel Marques

The Mineola Portuguese Soccer Club punched their ticket to a third straight New York State Amateur Cup Quarter-Final Sunday after defeating College Point 6-2.

The MPSC are Nassau County’s No. 1 soccer team, at all levels, and two-time defending Long Island Soccer Fotebol League Champions.

Under President Marco Dafonte’s leadership (Wheatly and C.W. Post Alumni) this club has been able to assemble the top soccer players from the Mineola-Williston Park area, including Wheatley High School, Albertson Academy, and Gotchee Alumni.

“This area is a breeding ground for top soccer talent” said Dafonte. “It is just a shame that they have no place to go once they graduate college.”

The team serves as a springboard for local talent as well as a home for older players to continue the sport.

Through a partnership with the Long Island Rough Riders, the MPSC has been able to develop young talent and draft them up to the Professional Development League as well as receive players who have retired from professional soccer.

Perhaps the teams most famous alumni is Mineola’s very own Carlos Mendes of the New York Red Bull, but many have come before him.

Currently, former New England Revolution’s Defender Gary Flood plays on the team, alongside over 10 other former professional players.

Additionally, Captain and team VP George Spanos, goalie Jason Landers, and Magic Serafin were all members of the U.S. National Junior team in the early 2000s.

The team, which is part of the Mineola Portuguese Center on Jericho Turnpike, boasts a notable fan-base, which include Nassau County Legislator Richard Nicolello and Mineola Trustee Paul Perreira, whom you might catch at local home games at Wheatley High School.

Village of Mineola Mayor Jack Martins also served on the board of the Mineola Portuguese Center in the late 1990s.

The club is celebrating their 75th anniversary this year, decades which have seen three New York State Championships, seven Long Island Championships, and over 100 other awards.

The team, which is on a current 16-game winning streak, is also involved in the U.S. Open Cup, representing one of the two sole amateur teams selected to enter the competition.

In September, the team was invited to the most honorable competition in the state,

The Sal Rapaglia Cup, in which they finished as finalists. For more information or news please visit www.mineolaportuguese.com.

Share this Article