ASC NEW YORK COMPLETES SPORTING COMMITTEE

LONG ISLAND, N.Y. — A former U.S. national soccer team player and a former Major League Soccer All-Star have joined American Soccer Club New York, rounding out a sporting committee with impressive soccer credentials.

Jim Rooney and Perry Van der Beck will join previously announced Bob Montgomery and Mark Lugris on the club’s sporting committee in advance of the inaugural season in the National Professional Soccer League.

Rooney, 56, began his professional soccer career on Long Island in 1994 after being signed to his first contract by current ASC New York managing partner/general manager Jim Kilmeade. A Deer Park native, Rooney played collegiately at LIU Post. He tallied 21 goals in a combined 116 career MLS appearances with the MetroStars, Miami Fusion and New England Revolution from 1998 through 2002 and earned an All-Star Game selection with the Fusion. Alexi Lalas, Rooney’s teammate with the MetroStars, described him as “the quintessential New York, no-nonsense player.”

Van der Beck, 65, earned 23 caps with the U.S. national team. In 1978, he became the first American ever drafted out of high school to play professional soccer when he was selected by the Tampa Bay Rowdies. A midfielder, Van der Beck helped the Rowdies reach back-to-back North American Soccer League finals, in 1978 and ’79.

Van der Beck made 190 appearances during his playing tenure with the Rowdies throughout various leagues. In 2008, he joined the Rowdies as technical director. In his front-office role, he had a critical role in assembling the roster that brought the Rowdies their second outdoor championship, in 2012.

The ASC NY Sporting Committee serves as an advisory board and as a liaison between players, coaches and trainers — youth to pro — as well as with the general manager/sporting director. The committee promotes staff and player involvement in local community service and advises on club strategy.

ASC New York enters its inaugural National Premier Soccer League season this spring. Stay tuned for upcoming announcements on the team’s home stadium, nickname and player signings. For season tickets, visit https://ascnewyork.com/season-ticket.

Pictured (l to r): ASCNY Euro Club Affiliates Committee chair Farrukh Quraishi with Mark Lugris, Perry Van der Beck and Bob Montgomery.