Downtown United Mineiro U-15 Boys bring Arch Capital Group Cup back to Manhattan

(ENYYSA / Randy Vogt) – Downtown United Mineiro of the Cosmopolitan Junior Soccer League (CJSL) topped the Smithtown Scorpions of the Long Island Junior Soccer League (LIJSL), 2-1, to bring the Boys-Under-15 Arch Capital Group Cup back to Manhattan. This Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) final was played on June 13 at the Peter Collins Soccer Park in Plainview.

Ethan Berd scored and Derick Juca netted the game-winner on a penalty kick for the new champs, named after Brazilian professional club Atlético Mineiro.

“We were a little more creative in the penalty area. Otherwise, it was a very even game,” commented Downtown United coach Eric Suarez.

Downtown United also received the Howard Rubenstein Sportsmanship Award for the Fair Play they demonstrated on the field. Now retired, Mr. Rubenstein was seemingly involved in every facet of New York soccer for decades and is a member of the Halls of Fame of Eastern New York, the US Amateur Soccer Association and the Long Island Junior Soccer League.