Long Island SC (LISC)
Overview
Long Island Soccer Club (LISC) was founded in 2017 as an elite, invitation-only club for high-level youth players on Long Island. Based in Bethpage/Garden City (Nassau County), LISC operates across both Nassau and Suffolk Counties with programs for boys and girls U13-U19.
LISC was the first MLS NEXT club on Long Island when it joined the platform for the 2024-25 season. In 2026, LISC became the first strategic Club Affiliate Partner of The Island FC, with The Island FC assuming operation of LISC’s MLS NEXT divisions in Nassau while LISC continues as the broader organization.
The club is notable for its “Female First” initiative, launched at founding in 2017, dedicated to empowering female coaches and leaders — the Girls Academy program predates the boys MLS NEXT entry by 7 years.
Financials
No financial data available. The club provides transparent pricing to families upon invitation but does not publish fees publicly. Scholarship/financial aid available via application during registration.
Teams & Players
| Metric | Figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Age range | U13-U19 | LISC website (2026) |
| Girls Academy age groups | 6 (U13-U19) | LISC website |
| MLS NEXT age groups | U13-U14 (expanding) | MLS NEXT announcements |
| Staff with college coaching | 80%+ | LISC website |
| Admission model | Invitation only | LISC FAQs |
Programs:
- Girls Academy (since 2017-18) — 6 age groups, U13-U19
- MLS NEXT (since 2024-25) — First on Long Island; now operated in partnership with The Island FC
- MLS NEXT II — 2008-2011 birth years
- USYS National League — U15-U19 boys
League Affiliations
- MLS NEXT (U13-U14, joined 2024-25 — first on Long Island)
- MLS NEXT II (2008-2011 birth years)
- Girls Academy (since 2017-18, U13-U19)
- USYS National League (U15-U19 boys)
- The Island FC Affiliate Partner (2026 — Nassau MLS NEXT operations)
Facilities
LISC does not own its own facility. The club operates at various locations across Nassau and Suffolk Counties. Specific facility details are communicated to members upon invitation.
With The Island FC’s Mitchel Athletic Complex (Uniondale) under construction, LISC-affiliated players will eventually have access to club-controlled infrastructure via the affiliate relationship.
Leadership
| Name | Title | Background |
|---|---|---|
| Peter Zaratin | President & Board Member | Club co-founder |
| Gary Book | Technical Director & MLS NEXT Director | 35+ years coaching experience; NCAA D1/D2 |
| Stuart Newman | Interim Executive Director (Feb 2025) | 25+ years in coaching and soccer management |
| Tom Bowen | MLS NEXT Assistant Director | |
| Bryan Alcantara | Head Coach, MLS NEXT | Inaugural MLS NEXT head coach |
| Meghan Frey | Girls Academy Sporting Director | Part of Female First initiative since 2018 |
College Placement
LISC emphasizes college placement as a core value. The club’s coaching staff includes 80%+ college instructors. Specific placement numbers not published, but the club’s SportsRecruits profile and Girls Academy affiliation (which tracks college commitments) suggest an active pipeline.
Competitive Position
Strengths:
- First MLS NEXT club on Long Island — established the professional pathway before The Island FC arrived
- Girls Academy program has 7+ years of history and community trust
- Dual-pathway (MLS NEXT boys + Girls Academy girls) in a single organization
- Island FC affiliate status provides access to professional infrastructure without losing identity
- Invitation-only model creates selectivity and perceived quality
- Female First initiative differentiates in a male-dominated coaching landscape
Weaknesses:
- No owned facility — dependent on municipal/rented fields
- Relatively small and young club compared to SUSA (4,000+ players, 5 fields, 20+ year history)
- The Island FC partnership may dilute LISC’s brand as The Island FC becomes the primary badge
- Invitation-only model limits scale potential
Key competitors:
- SUSA FC — dominant LI club with owned facility and ECNL pathway
- Surf — ECNL Boys on Nassau South Shore
- The Island FC — both partner and potential brand absorber
Investment Thesis
LISC occupies a strategic position as The Island FC’s first affiliate — giving it access to professional infrastructure (Mitchel Athletic Complex, MLS NEXT Pro pathway) that no other independent Long Island club has. The Girls Academy program is the most established girls’ elite pathway on LI.
However, LISC’s long-term independence is uncertain. As The Island FC builds its brand and facilities, LISC may gradually be absorbed into The Island FC’s academy structure (similar to how MLS academies absorb their affiliates over time). For a platform acquirer, LISC is interesting as a pathway to The Island FC ecosystem, but risky as a standalone acquisition given the affiliate dependency.
Open Questions
- Total player count across all programs
- Annual tuition/fees per player
- Financial profile (revenue, expenses)
- How the LISC-Island FC relationship will evolve — does LISC maintain autonomy or get absorbed?
- Facility plans — will LISC benefit from Mitchel Athletic Complex access?
- How many LISC coaches are full-time vs part-time?