Fighting Tomcats set for next round of tryouts

 December 19, 2025 - By Peter Schwartz

It may be cold outside and we just had our first snowfall here on Long Island last week, but the thought of kicking a ball around the pitch is enough to warm everyone’s heart. And for those players who hope to be a part of American Soccer Club-New York’s 2026 roster, it’s almost time to brave the elements and show the coaching staff and front office what they can do.

That’s because The Fighting Tomcats will hold round two of tryouts with an invitation-only event on Saturday January 3rd from 11am to 1pm in Stony Brook. It’s the next opportunity for the organization to get a look at some local talent vying for a spot on the 2026 Fighting Tomcats.

“I’m excited in the preparation for the season with the tryout being part of that,” said Fighting Tomcats Head Coach John Fitzgerald. “I’m very happy to support and promote committed and talented players from this area.”

The organization is looking to find the right players who will be a fit for ASCNY and be a part of the blueprint for building a club that can win a National Premier Soccer League Championship.

So, what does a player need to show in order to be a Fighting Tomcat?

“Effort and attitude,” said Fitzgerald. “Are they a competitor and a good person? Successful performance at a higher level is key or show the qualities that you have the ability to build to that. If that’s the case, we want you with us and are willing to work with you.”

Players who are interested in being considered to attend should fill out the online registration form on the ASC New York website…

www.ascnewyork.com/tryout-invitation

In addition to filling out the registration form, players are asked to attach a copy of their CV (resume) which will be reviewed by the ASC New York coaching staff. If you are accepted to attend the tryout, specific information including time and field location will be sent. There will be a non-refundable $35 registration fee for those selected to attend.

Those selected from the current round of registration will join those who are invited back from the November tryout.

There have been examples, not just in soccer but in other sports, of a player who may have fallen through the cracks in terms of recruiting, exposure or opportunity, when an open tryout is a player’s chance to impress a coaching staff enough that there is an invitation to training camp.

For the Fighting Tomcats, the tryout process is a way of finding that “diamond in the rough”.

“With the experience of our staff, and recruiting being a major part of that experience, it’s less likely to not have a solid idea of the players coming in,” said Fitzgerald. “Having said that, players develop at their individual pace, so there’s always the possibility of finding one who hits their mark at the opportune time.”

Last season, ASC New York finished in fifth place in the North Atlantic Conference table with a record of 2 wins, 4 losses and 4 draws. With 10 points, the Fighting Tomcats missed out on the playoffs by just one point. A year ago, there was a high interest from local players in being part of the franchise and that interest is expected to be even higher for the 2026 season.

There are a lot of players who want to be a Fighting Tomcat.

“This says a lot about the players who were on our inaugural squad,” said Fitzgerald. “The positive culture we had only succeeded because the players made it so and that has apparently gotten out. Now we want to build on that foundation.”

With the 2026 season starting in May, the work continues in turning American Soccer Club-New York into a club that Long Island soccer fans can be proud of. The next step in that journey is just a couple of weeks away at the next round of tryouts.