Publish reporter tries out for New York Dragons — and the way he fared

Attempting out for the New York Dragons had me respiration fireplace.

Phrase has unfold round Lengthy Island that the world soccer workforce, which referred to as the honored Nassau Coliseum house in the course of the 2000s, is making a much-anticipated comeback within the 516 this June.

As somebody who grew up on the fun of watching the black-and-red brawlers, I needed to throw my hat — or relatively, my helmet — within the ring with a few of the finest native expertise Tuesday night time throughout open tryouts for an opportunity to make the Leisure Soccer Affiliation (ENTFLA) squad.

For the primary time in ages, I used to be hitting blocking pads, firing out of my dormant O-line stance, doing quick-cut agility drills, operating routes and, sadly, a 20-yard sprint whereas making an attempt to maintain up with the skillful bunch vying to be one in every of 26 heading to camp.

However hey, I wasn’t anticipating something straightforward. Head coach Gerald Filardi, a well known LI soccer determine who performed for the Pittsburgh Steelers and at present coaches Half Hole Hills West, holds a excessive normal.

“We’ve bought an eight-game common season, however we’re going to play 10 video games as a result of we’re profitable the championship,” he boldly informed me of the approaching inaugural season.

“You’ve bought to win in New York. That’s what the followers need, and that’s what we’re enjoying for.”

Males within the enviornment

Luckily, Filardi did some recruiting past one less-than-physically prime particular person — being a third-string middle on the JV degree solely will get you thus far — and introduced in lots of his former gamers who’ve confirmed themselves as standout collegiate athletes.

“It’s full circle coming again now,” stated 24-year-old Kendall Clark, a former Stony Brook security who performed for Filardi on varied groups since he was 10.

“I didn’t count on to be right here … however he gave me a name. I used to be on the fence, however I dedicated totally.”

Brian Bun, 27, who performed basketball at Inexperienced Mountain School in Vermont, is aware of Filardi professionally and was lured into popping out for defensive finish.

“I’ll be sincere with you, I didn’t know concerning the Dragons,” confessed Bun, who has performed soccer since age 5 and is in a weekend flag league. Nevertheless, after performing some homework — and seeing that Filardi had gained a number of division titles — he was offered.

“Plus, I actually love contact,” Bun stated.

The blindside

Seems, you lose a step or two after not enjoying soccer since 2011.

I noticed I used to be over my head early on when coaches put away stopwatches and took out a sundial for my dash time. Whereas trying again at a video of me trying a zig-zag agility drill round some cones, it grew to become obvious that my maneuverability was like that of a toddler rounding bases for his or her first time.

Nonetheless, I discovered ethical victories within the little issues, like making a 15-yard catch with an eight-second dangle time and simply with the ability to snap a ball at chest top.

I mentally tuned out that the nostril guard reached the quarterback earlier than I bought out of my stance.

Nevertheless, when it got here time to hit the blocking pads, I believed I used to be holding my very own.

That was, till I noticed D-lineman Robert DiGiorgio explosively fireplace out throughout his flip.

The well-tuned 44-year-old from Bay Shore tried out for the Dragons 20 years in the past, and after a profession on the semi-pro degree plus enjoying flag soccer recurrently, DiGiorgio wished one final crack at it.

“It makes me really feel like I’ve nonetheless bought one thing within the tank at my age,” he stated. “It will undoubtedly be some sort of a Cinderella story. I got here out right here, I gave it my all, and that’s all I might do.”

DiGiorgio’s leave-it-all-on-the-field mentality is precisely what Filardi needs from his males.

“That’s a giant factor with me when teaching. So long as you convey effort, you make issues occur,” Filardi stated.

“The trouble’s there,” he kindly fibbed about my efficiency.

Don’t simply take my phrase for it that Filardi is a real chief. One other of his former athletes, 22-year-old defensive again Valen Richardson, referred to as him a “participant’s coach.”

“It will be nice to play for him once more.”

Common supervisor Peter Schwartz has his work lower out in terms of these actual athletes who’ve a shot at making the roster.

“After I took this job, I wished this to be a workforce that Lengthy Island can be pleased with,” he stated. “I believe we now have quite a lot of expertise right here — quite a lot of untapped potential.”