How old is the club? Who started it and why?
Chuck Jacob and Lou Ederer founded the team in 1994 to give Long Island and metro-area players an opportunity to play at what many considered to be the highest level in American soccer at the time. These two men had great vision. Many clubs have come and gone since then but the Long Island Rough Riders have endured and succeeded over the years.

Do you have any merch for sale? How can folks support the Long Island Rough Riders?
Glad you asked. Very Soon, we don’t have an actual date set, but sometime mid-September is when we are planning to open it. In the meantime, we might have a special release on game warn jerseys from this previous year going on sale before the actual opening of the online store.

The Rough Riders have an academy, and a pre-academy system; how connected is your youth system to the first teams in both UWS and USL2? Is it all part of a development funnel?
That is a huge priority for us going forward. As you may have noticed our academy also had a successful season going 8-1 and we called two players up for our USL2 playoff run, one of which got an assist in the quarterfinal match. There’s no question that having a good academy system and being able to identify players at a young age is going to not only be vital for success but also value of a USL organization. Look at the success OCSC of the USL championship have had identifying players like Kobi Henry and then selling them to Europe to ultimately let the players achieve their dream of playing at the highest level. We are also lucky to have a successful affiliate club in LISC (Long Island Soccer Club) and are looking to make more connections within the Long Island youth soccer system to ultimately create a pathway for long soccer players to make it to the highest level.

Many teams in the USL system are connected to clubs either higher up in the USL leagues or even with MLS organizations; is the club affiliated with any teams in leagues above?
In the past we have had ties to NYCFC but at the moment we feel like it’s in our best interest to be a stand-alone club. With that said, we are always looking at options to better the player development and pathway, so if an opportunity presents itself again that we feel is best for the club and the players, we are always willing to consider it.

You've won the league at the USISL level, at the Second Division level, and were very nearly there this season; with a pedigree of success, how long do you mourn the loss in the final before getting ready for the next season? What does getting ready look like; do you work with current players through the offseason? Are there playing opportunities for non-collegiate players? Or do you park it until the end of winter and begin fresh?
I think what’s vital and this goes into the next question, but this isn’t a place where we cycle players out right and left. Currently our goal is to be a part of the pathway to get players to the highest level of American soccer or wherever else they want to play. I think any player who plays for us knows that they can always come to us and we are willing to assist and help with anything. I think the thing that hurts the most about how this season ended was the group of guys we had were truly incredible people. The leadership and character is what got us to the final – so really in the offseason it’s just maintaining relationships and building new ones, so it’s not starting from scratch, it’s just reloading. Our head coach Tom Bowen personifies the relationship first mentality – so although we don’t do a lot in the off season, the conversations never end with the players.

Speaking of having won in the past, you have an absolute who's who list of players which either went on to become professionals or ended up as coaches for other clubs and colleges around the country - do you keep in touch? Is there an alumni program? Do you ever invite them back for a pre-season reunion? Does that list become a recruiting tool for attracting new players?
The impressive short list includes Giovanni Savarese (MetroStars, New England Revolution, San Jose Earthquakes), Tony Meola (MetroStars, New York Red Bulls, Kansas City Wizards, U.S. national team), Chris Armas (LA Galaxy, Chicago Fire, USMNT), Jim Rooney (MetroStars, Miami Fusion, New England Revolution), Carlos Mendes (New York Red Bulls, New York Cosmos, Columbus Crew), Jimmy Nealis (New York Red Bulls), Paul Grafer (MetroStars), Mike Grella (New York Red Bulls, several teams in England), Ryan Meara (New York Red Bulls, New York City FC), John Wolyniec (MetroStars, New York Red Bulls, Columbus Crew), Edson Buddle (New York Red Bulls, Columbus Crew, LA Galaxy, USMNT) and Jordan Cila (New York Red Bulls and Colorado Rapids), among others. Many others remained performing at a high level in the lower leagues.

Most recently, goalkeeper Danny Vitiello, who has backstopped the Sacramento Republic FC to the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup final, also played for the Rough Riders.

There are many others who have stayed in soccer as a coach, management or in other aspects of the beautiful game.

After filling the net for the MetroStars, New England Revolution and San Jose Earthquakes, Savarese became a coach, directing the New York Cosmos to three North American Soccer League titles. He currently directs the Portland Timbers in MLS.

Other coaches of note: Tom Lips, who has been successful at the youth and high School levels.

Chris Armas, who coached the New York Red Bulls, who now is an assistant at Manchester United.
Wilmer Cabrera, who directed the Houston Dynamo for a few seasons and the U.S. Under-17 men's national team.
Jim Rooney, who has coached in the lower leagues, including the USL.
David Price, who won several Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association State Cups.
Paul Riley, who coached the North Carolina Courage (National Women's Soccer League).
Guiillermo Valencia, who became a successful assistant coach.
Cordt Weinstein, who has coached at the college level, including at Queens College.
Daniel Leon, who became a successful youth soccer coach at the Albertson soccer club.
John Diffley is an assistant coach at St. John's University.
Flavio Ferri was the Rough Riders' general manager for several years.
Paul Grafer works at the MLS headquarters in New York City.
Steve Jolley is a New York Red Bulls radio announcer.

And the list will likely grow in future years, given the success of the franchise.

Give Long Island Rough Riders a follow on Twitter HERE
And follow the club on Facebook HERE