Putnam Valley’s Just Play Soccer Club has a dream season

By David Taber, Examiner News Photojournalist

The Just Play Soccer Club (JPSC) B2010P team, which fields players ages 14 or younger (U14), finished its 2023-24 regular season with a record of 13 wins, 0 losses, and 0 ties. Their goal differential on the season was an incredible +70; they scored 74 goals and allowed just 4. And those stats are even more impressive when you consider that they competed in the Elite Academy League (EAL), one of the top youth soccer leagues in the country. JPSC B2010P’s division included teams from across New York State.

After the regular season, JPSC B2010P moved on to the playoffs in St. Louis, where they competed against teams from Atlanta, Hawaii and Central Washington. JPSC B2010P finished third overall in a league pool of nearly 100 elite U14 teams from across the United States.

Other seasonal accomplishments for the team, which is part of Palumbo Soccer along with the Joe Palumbo Soccer Academy (JPSA), include reaching the final of the NY State Cup, where they lost 1-0, and winning the Gold Division of the Elite Development Program League Cup. Both tournaments are open to the top teams from New York (and the latter from Connecticut).

The B2010P team is unique in that one of its top players is Karina Arraiano, the only girl to play with the boys in the entire EAL BU14 Northeast Division. Arraiano, who lives in Cortlandt Manor, is not only a top player, but also one of the team’s three captains. According to James Palumbo, President and CEO of Palumbo Soccer, “JPSC supports individual development within a team concept and Karina’s attitude, effort, commitment and level of soccer made the JPSC B2010P team the best choice. We are proud of her well-deserved membership on this team and her great contribution to its success.”

As for playing with boys, Arraiano notes: “Even as a little girl, I have enjoyed playing soccer, no matter who I play with or against. I have always played with the boys, which has been beneficial to my development. I am determined to learn every day and dream of playing professionally one day.”

The B2010P team has already had a fantastic season, but another event begins this week. The team is currently in the Algarve region of Portugal, along with the JPSC B2007/U17 team. Both teams are taking part in the Challenge Cup, which brings together over 200 elite youth football teams from around the world. The tournament not only offers the children great football competition, but also the opportunity to experience another culture and celebrate their successes.

The ability for players to travel is just one way JPSC provides kids with personal development opportunities beyond soccer. But when it comes to soccer, the club is quickly becoming a popular destination for soccer-loving kids from Northern Westchester and Putnam County. JPSC is one of the few clubs in the Lower Hudson Valley to have several large outdoor fields and its own soccer training facility with two indoor fields. Palumbo notes, “Building the indoor facility at our home has been beneficial to the players, coaches and families who participate in JPSC and the Academy year-round. The Northeast weather conditions require a safe indoor facility to conduct consistent training. The indoor facility supports the development of young soccer players and serves the community through practice clinics, rentals, birthday parties and more. The facility will feature significant new initiatives in 2024-25.”

JPSC fielded 25 boys and girls teams for the 2023-24 season, competing in different leagues based on skill level. The diversity of the teams allows JPSC players who show improvement to advance to higher-level teams.

This summer, the JPSA is hosting weekly soccer camps for kids of all ages and skill levels. It’s the 25th consecutive year they’ve hosted summer camps at 7 Bryant Pond Road in Putnam Valley, and their indoor facility guarantees full days of soccer, even when the weather doesn’t cooperate.

Hundreds of Palumbo JPSC players have already played college soccer, and given the current momentum, that number will continue to grow in the coming years. But while success on the field is very important to James Palumbo, his ultimate goal is to make the club accessible, inclusive and a permanent home for all participants.

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