Chris Megaloudis returns as the coach of the Long Island Rough Riders men’s team for his third USL League Two season, with several goals.
Megaloudis wants to get the most out of the team and go deep into the playoffs. He also wants to see the club as a springboard for players.
“The past couple years have been a great experience, working with the staff in a great environment,” he said. “You always want to contribute in any way that you possibly can when you’re offered the position. I like sticking with something that has been good to me. The past couple seasons have been getting to the playoffs. “
And there’s more.
“It’s always great to see players move on to the next level,” Megaloudis said. “That’s been the main focal point of seeing these guys get into that next level of playing soccer, which is great. That’s always the fun part, seeing the progression.”
One Rough Rider, midfielder Justin McLean, a vital member of the team’s success last summer, was selected by the Portland Timbers as the 15th overall pick in the 2026 MLS SuperDraft in December. McLean, 21, made 22 appearances (19 starts) in his only season at North Carolina State last fall. He recorded three goals and five assists.
McLean helped the Rough Riders finish second in the Metropolitan Division with a 9-2-1 record and reach the USL League Two playoffs. Long Island was eliminated in the first round.
“He is a player that we knew could play at that level,” Megaloudis said. “He’s just a talented player, understands the game, has all the tools. Very, very intelligent player. Just the personality that he has, which is what I think is also going to contribute to him getting to that next level. He’s a great person. He’s a great locker room guy, cares about his teammates, cares about winning. We were so happy for him that he’s getting this opportunity.
“It’s good to see when it happens and you know how it unfolds, so now we’re just continuing to root for him and wish him all the best.”
McLean isn’t the only former Rough Rider who is ready to take the next step. Megaloudis said that goalkeeper Eryk Dymora, is looking to attend an MLS preseason camp. Left wing Jakob Friedman is looking to the USL to play with a Championship or League One squad. Midfielder Drew Lovelace might trial with an MLS team but has offers on a USL team, the Rough Riders coach added.
Megaloudis also is looking ahead, busy putting together a team for the third consecutive season.
In many respects, a League Two coach is much like a college coach because he needs to recruit players before every season.
“Winning seasons happen before you take the field,” he said. “Successful seasons happen when you’re really trying to bring in the best possible players you can to build that team. So that when you get there, everything falls into place. Recruiting is huge. Right now that’s where we’re at. We’re in the middle stages of our recruitment process. It has been taken into account of who we want coming back, and then, reaching out to some players that we thought would fit in really, well for us, and go from there.”
It certainly doesn’t hurt that the Rough Riders organization has a storied and successful history. Since the club started in 1994, men’s and women’s teams have won national championships. More recently both squads won their respective Metropolitan Divisions and qualified for the playoffs.
Translated: there is stability.
“When you’re involved with this organization that has a reputation and that has that standard, those important values, it really contributes to what you’re selling,” Megaloudis said. “Right now, we’re selling the opportunity to get to the next level.”
The next level is The Island FC, which is connected to the Rough Riders. The team will make its MLS NEXT Pro debut in 2027.
“Right now, there’s an opportunity to showcase [players] right here in the backyard of where they be playing this summer,” he said. “It’s a big opportunity that we get a good understanding for players that we want to bring in. … It’s a good selling point.”
At the moment, the Rough Riders cannot announce the addition of any new players.
“We are midway through the recruiting process,” Megaloudis said. “Nothing is penciled in right now. It’s not because there’s a hesitation on our end or their end. It’s just when you’re when you’re dealing with the recruitment of collegiate players, there’s always that confirmation that is needed. You also want to do right by the by the colleges and the staff.
“We’re looking to bring back a good portion of players from last year that did very well for us. We’re starting there with the local talent players that I think are going to be very good for us.”
May, when the Rough Riders begin their League Two season, can’t come soon enough for Megaloudis.
“I am looking forward to it, extremely,” he said. “When it comes to this type of environment, for the Rough Riders and that passion comes around with the group, with the staff, with the players, and the administration, you look forward to that every day. At this point it gets really exciting, because of the recruitment process. It’s fun, working towards building the best possible team that you can have. I think everybody’s super excited. The first thing on everybody’s mind is what’s happening this summer.”