New York and New Jersey high school seniors will graduate a second time, this time on the soccer field, following the conclusion of the Red Bulls' match with FC Dallas (7:30 PM, TV: FSC, Radio: WADO, WQBU) on Saturday. The second-annual Red Bulls High School Cup presented by adidas features the top high school soccer talent from New York and New Jersey, pitted against one another. North Jersey defeated South Jersey in the first-annual Cup by a 5-1 margin.
Participants will be recognized on-field during halftime of the Red Bulls' match, while kickoff for the High School Cup is tentatively set for 9:30 p.m.
Red Bulls representatives, local media and coaches selected a team of 18 for each side, in addition to a starting 11, based on performance.
"It's wonderful," New York co-head coach Mickey Cohen said of the Cup. "This is the culmination of their accomplishments. These players are coming from all over the state. I don't know them except for a couple from our area but obviously they are highly regarded and it will be a wonderful completion to their high school careers, and a step to the next level."
For New Jersey striker Mike DeVizio, the experience will culminate four years of playing under Tom Breznitsky, New Jersey's head coach for the event. Breznitsky is one of the state's most familiar faces.
"It's been a very, very good honor (to play for Breznitsky)," DeVizio said. "He's one of the most well known coaches in New Jersey of all-time. He has seven state championships, 14 county titles, hundreds of wins, he's loved by everyone. It's awesome to call him my coach at one point in my career."
While the game is certainly the featured event, both teams will be shown a glimpse of a professional venue. Both teams will arrive at Giants Stadium on Friday for a mandatory practice session followed by a dinner and reception. On Saturday, prior to kickoff of the Red Bulls' match, Cup players will be shown a tour of Giants Stadium facilities and then view New York's pre-match routine from the field.
"I'm definitely excited about seeing an MLS locker room," said New York defender David Neumann. "I've never seen that before. I've really never seen a whole stadium like Giants Stadium before, so I'm really excited for that."
Although some of the players are bound to know each other - and the coaches may know a few players - the variety of the lineups make any sort of tactical preparation difficult.
"I know most of the kids from New Jersey," said C.J. Crooks, a New Jersey (Seton Hall Prep) forward. "Most of the guys I've either played with or against them. I've been playing with them since I've been young."
From a coaching perspective, however, the mindset is a bit different.
"When I saw the selections, I didn't know how to prepare tactically," Cohen said. "The biggest thing you have to think about is playing time. That's the biggest tactic. This is not a game that I'm trying to win. We care about the kids showing themselves, showing their skills, and getting the kids to play equal minutes."
Equal minutes are important to consider for an event when coaches and scouts could be in attendance.
"There might be college coaches there," Cohen said. "That's what you have to present. Quite a few of them are seeking to play at a higher level."
But for Crooks, who has already signed a Letter of Intent to play at Florida Atlantic next season, the approach is different.
"College-wise, I just go out to have fun. I don't worry about college coaches and national team coaches. Whatever happens, happens."
Crooks prepares by working on his fitness and shots at the park, while Cohen, who claims to be a "history lesson of soccer," prepares slightly differently.
"I always prepare for things like this," said Cohen, a 40-year soccer veteran of both coaching and playing. "Yesterday, I had an interesting preparation. My old college coach presented me the plaque when my 1966 college team, Long Island University, was selected to the university's hall of fame. When I get a chance like this to work with young kids, it's a thrill to work with them. My background, my experience, fully prepares me."
While many have played in large stadiums as part of regional and national tournaments, few have played in as large a facility as Giants Stadium.
"Any time you play in a professional stadium, it's a thrill," Cohen said. "Whether you have a desire to be a professional or not, you're in a professional atmosphere. There will be a paying crowd there, and family and friends."
Above all, though, the event is about the players.
"This is their showcase," Cohen said. "This is their time to shine. This is their reward. This is their graduation."
