In the team’s second year, future United States national team goalkeeper Tony Meola, Chris Armas, and future Portland Timbers coach Giovanni Savarese helped the Rough Riders finish the season with a 20-2 record. Savarese would later be named the USISL regular season and playoff MVP. The wins kept on coming as the team ended up closing their home schedule 11-0 for the season, including an exhibition game against the U.S. Olympic team where the Rough Riders had a 3-0 victory In the final game against the Minnesota Thunder, things were looking to go into extra time as a minute remained and the score remained tied at 1-1. With 6 seconds left in regulation, Savarese scored the winning goal. Led by coach Alfonso Mondelo, the team won its first USISL Championship.
In 2002, the Rough Riders won the D3-Pro League Atlantic Conference with a 13–6–1 record. Derrick Etienne and Cordt Weinstein combined for 27 goals, while goalkeeper Billy Gatti maintained an imposing presence in net. Long Island squeaked past New York on penalty kicks after a 2–2 tie in the playoff quarterfinals, and enjoyed a dominant 3–0 win over the Connecticut Wolves in the semifinal to reach the championship game. 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.
Don’t miss out on exciting club news, ticket offers, program discounts and more!
Don’t miss out on exciting club news, ticket offers, program discounts and more!