Cosmopolitan Jr. Soccer League
Competitive Youth Soccer in New York City Since 1933.
About CJSL
Founded in 1933, the Cosmopolitan Junior Soccer League (CJSL) stands as a pillar of youth soccer in New York City. With a legacy rooted in development and diversity, CJSL delivers year-round outdoor and indoor competition, alongside coaching and referee education programs that support our culturally rich community of clubs and players.
Led by dedicated members of the soccer community, CJSL is a not-for-profit organization committed to improving the sport for all players. As a proud affiliate of US Youth Soccer and the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association, CJSL offers competitive and developmentally appropriate league play across the New York metropolitan area — from U7 co-ed development to high-stakes U19 matchups.
Every player is placed where they can grow, compete, and thrive.
CJSL Youth Soccer Competitive Pathway
A clear overview of the local, regional, and national pathway for clubs, outlining progression from CJSL development programs to elite competition platforms under ENYYSA and US Youth Soccer.
Youth soccer is organized as a pathway, with recreational and development programs at the base and elite national competitions at the top. All leagues listed below fall under the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association and connect to the official US Youth Soccer pathway.
USYS Pathway Pyramid
Clubs can progress from the CJSL entry point into local travel, regional competition, and national platforms.
Entry Point & Tier 1 — CJSL Local Pathway
CJSL 4v4 Development League
Low. Four scheduled play events per season, with 3–4 games of 20 minutes each per playdate. Weekend only. No tryouts required.
CJSL Elite Travel League
Moderate. Weekend games within the five boroughs and metro area. Approximately 8–12 games per season, fall and spring. Practices are handled through each club.
CJSL | EDP Girls City League
Moderate. NYC-focused scheduling to minimize travel. Weekend games are played within the boroughs and metro area.
Tier 2 — Regional Competitive Travel
EDP North Atlantic League
Moderate-to-high. Practices 2–3 times per week. Weekend games across the tri-state area, including New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut. Seasonal tournaments included. Tryouts required.
Tier 3 — Elite National Competition
USYS National League — North Atlantic Conference
High. Practices 3–4 times per week, with regional and national travel for showcase events and playoffs. Highly competitive tryouts required.
Quick Reference
The table below provides a simple overview of the pathway, age groups, travel level, and connection to the USYS structure.
| League | Ages | Level | Travel | USYS Pathway |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CJSL 4v4 Development League | U7–U8 | Intro / No Score | Local | Entry Point |
| CJSL Elite Travel | U8–U19 | Local Competitive | Borough / Metro | Yes |
| CJSL | EDP Girls City | U9–U12 Girls | Competitive | Borough / Metro | Yes |
| EDP North Atlantic | U8–U19 | Regional Competitive | Tri-State | Yes |
| USYS North Atlantic Conference | U13–U19 | Elite National | Regional / National | Top of Pyramid |
2026–27 Pathway Updates
Coming 2026–27
US Youth Soccer and US Club Soccer are unifying the NPL and USYS National League into a single national platform serving 10,000+ teams. The local pathway in this area — CJSL to EDP North Atlantic to the North Atlantic Conference — connects directly into this new structure. Top North Atlantic Conference teams will also be eligible for promotion to the ECNL Regional League.
Age Group Note
Starting in 2026–27, USYS, US Club Soccer, and AYSO are moving from birth-year to school-year age groupings.
Clubs should confirm age group placement for upcoming seasons.
View CJSL 2026–2027 Age Group Transition Information
CJSL Board
-
Max Watson
President
-
Alex Hryniuk
First Vice President
-
Jonathan Puma
Second Vice President
-
James Svendsen
Treasurer
-
Derick Adams
Recording Secretary
-
Sean Resch
Trustee
NY Gotham FC Liason -
Danny Segelin
Trustee
ENY Pre-ODP Liason -
Ivo Mohorovic
Trustee
-
Steve Batalas
Trustee
-
Paul Kontonis †
Directors and Staff
-
Ron Restrepo
Executive Director
Life Member -
Dimitrie Draguca
League Director
Life Member -
David Gordon
Games Chairperson
-
Darren Marshall
Coaching Education Director
-
Andrew Ashmall-Liversidge
Referee Assignor
-
Chip Reed
Referee Liason - NYSRA
-
Maritza Velasquez
Office Staff
Life Members
-
Claudio Bulian†
Life Member
-
Carlo Bucich †
Life Member
-
Emil Cohill †
Life Member
-
Dimitrie Draguca
Life Member
-
Michael Leandrou
Life Member
-
Ron Restrepo
Life Member
-
James Svendsen
Life Member
-
Jim Vogt
Life Member
-
Burt Wilkes
Life Member
Past Presidents
We honor our past presidents whose leadership and vision helped grow the game of soccer across New York City.
2025 – Current Max Watson
2024 – 2025 Paul Kontonis
2018 – 2024 Ron Restrepo
2016 – 2018 James Svendsen
2012 – 2016 Dimitrie Draguca
2004 – 2012 Burt Wilkes
2002 – 2004 Carlo Bucich
2000 – 2002 James Vogt
1998 – 2000 James Svendsen
1994 – 1998 James Vogt
1988 – 1994 Frank Reiss
1984 – 1988 Wil Cintron
1980 – 1984 Michael Maxes
1977 – 1980 Herbert Heilpern
1970 – 1977 Joseph Goldberg
1966 – 1970 Herman Behncke
1960 – 1966 Alois Emmel
1933 – 1960 Erwin Klaus
Hall of Fame
The CJSL Hall of Fame celebrates individuals whose service and dedication have left a lasting impact on youth soccer in the Metropolitan area.
2003
Emil Cohill (First Member)
Bernd Boehm
Dr. Gabriel Nigrin
Manfred Schellscheidt
Michael Windischmann
2005
Hans Bayen
Erich “Pop” Werner
George Donnelly
Herbert Heilpern
Edward Falbo
2009
Claudio Reyna
Lenny Roitman
John Wolyniec
Dieter Ficken
Franco Legovic
2013
Carlo Bucic
Claudio Bulian
Miguel Brunengo
Joey Fink
Jimmy Svendsen
James Vogt
Michael Leandrou
Burt Wilkes
2023
Paul Gardner
George Gjokaj
Dusanka Maurisic
Frank McCarthy
Ivo Mohorovic
Sig Samuelsen
Honor Awards
-
Legacy Club Award
This award honors longtime member clubs whose unwavering commitment and service have helped shape the CJSL.
2021: Eleftheria Pancyprian Soccer Club
2022: Istria SC
2023: BW Gottschee
2024: Downtown United SC
2025 : SC Gjoa
-
New Club of the Year Award
Presented to clubs that have recently joined the league and made an immediate impact through sportsmanship, service, and support of the CJSL mission.
2021: Formativas Barcelona
2022: Juventus Academy NY
2023: Soccer Kids NYC
2024: Success Academy
2025: Triboro United SC
-
Club Person of the Year
Awarded to an individual whose passion and tireless service have uplifted both their club and the broader CJSL community.
2021: Jean Marc Perez – Manhattan Kickers
2022: John Tucker – Gjøa
2023: Sandra Kurtovic – FC United Bronx
2024: Nadia Caballero – DV7
2025: Elmer Campos - SFFK/EPC
-
Referee of the Year
Recognizing referees whose professionalism, consistency, and dedication have supported fair play and youth development throughout the season.
2021: Chip Reed
2022: Luben Mihaylov
2023: Andrew Ashmall-Liversidge
2024: Patricia Thelwell
2025: Tomasso Martello
We are the best of New York City youth soccer.
Come meet with us.
Our office hours are:
Monday - 10am - 3pm
Tuesday - 10am - 3pm
Wednesday - 10am - 8pm
Thursday - 10am - 3pm
Friday - CLOSED
Saturday - CLOSED
Sunday - CLOSED
Phone: 718-491-4009