History

The Capital District Youth Soccer League, which was formed in 1978 and four teams Albany, Schenectady, Clifton Park and Troy) participated that summer in a hastily organized U-12 and U-14 boys’ brackets. CDYSL official affiliation with Eastern New York Youth Soccer Organization did not start until the following year, and CDYSL incorporated itself in March 1982.

By the spring of 1979, fifteen clubs affiliated themselves with the Capital District Youth Soccer League. The following 15 clubs were involved: Azzurri Soccer Club (Uncle Sam Braves); Albany Eagles; Bethlehem Soccer Club; Circle Soccer Club; Clifton Park Soccer Club; Greenbush Soccer Club; Guilderland Soccer Club; Hoosic Valley Athletic Association; Highland Soccer Club; Lake Hill Soccer Club; Niskayuna Soccer Club; Rotterdam Soccer Club; Troy Boys Club; Village Youth Soccer Club; and Waterford Soccer Club.

The first slate of officers for CDYSL reads like a Who’s Who of local soccer legends. The first President was Peter Clinton; Vice President was James Sinkins; Secretary was Cesare Maniccia; Treasurer was Peter Sand; Registrar was George Tilroe; and Scheduler was Charles Guinn.

In 1979 each club had one or two teams. Currently, we register over 460 teams (boys and girls) participating in the CDYSL Spring/Summer Travel League and play over 2800 games at all age levels. CDYSL is presently the second largest youth soccer league in the state, with 54 clubs and nearly 12,000 players (travel and recreational). Geographically, CDYSL a large area including 17 counties plus three clubs in adjoining states of Vermont and Massachusetts.

In addition to handling the tremendous and continuing growth of the league owing to the popularity of the "world's favorite sport", CDYSL is preparing to face new challenges in the coming years, including a massive expansion of services to our youth, not only to gifted players but also to casual and the physically and emotionally challenged players.