The start of a pathway for long-term female development on Long Island
Uniondale, NY – May 2026 — The Island FC today announced that Long Island Soccer Club’s (LISC)
Girls Academy (Tier 1) and ASPIRE (Tier 2) memberships will be rebranded and operated under The
Island FC, aligning Long Island’s top girls platforms under a unified club structure consistent with The
Island FC’s professional pathway model.
This organizational alignment reflects the club-wide structural approach The Island FC established earlier
this year, mirroring the internal pathway model first implemented through MLS NEXT.
Importantly, Long Island Soccer Club (LISC) will continue to serve as a strategic Club Affiliate Partner
within The Island FC ecosystem, preserving its longstanding community role while operating competitive
teams that provide a clear pathway into The Island FC Girls Academy and ASPIRE league platforms,
supporting continuity for existing players within a more connected and professionally aligned club
structure.
With the addition of The Island FC ASPIRE East, alongside the existing ASPIRE West platform now
operating under The Island FC, the club establishes a true west-to-east development pathway across
Long Island. This structure is designed to expand geographic access while maintaining consistent
standards, allowing top female players from both Nassau and Suffolk Counties to progress within a
single, connected pathway that leads into the Girls Academy platform.
At the top of this structure, The Island FC Girls Academy membership showcases Long Island’s top
female players, providing a direct connection to one professional soccer club and reinforcing a clear
youth-to-college pathway aligned with the club’s long-term women’s professional initiatives.
“This alignment allows us to bring greater consistency, accountability, and long-term vision to the
girls pathway,” said Miquel Gasparin, Youth Director of The Island FC. “By establishing a
connected West-to-East structure under one professional club, we can better support player
development, coaching standards, and progression for female athletes across the entire Island.”
From the LISC perspective, the affiliate structure reinforces continuity while strengthening opportunity.
“LISC has always been committed to serving the Long Island soccer community,” said Stu
Newman, Director of Long Island Soccer Club. “As a Club Affiliate Partner, this structure allows
us to continue that role while providing our players with a clearly defined pathway into The Island
FC’s Girls Academy and ASPIRE environments.”
Tryouts for both The Island FC and Long Island Soccer Club programs are currently underway. Families
interested in learning more about pathway options and evaluation opportunities are encouraged to visit
the respective club websites for details and registration information.
About The Island FC
The Island FC is Long Island’s professional soccer organization, advancing a long-term vision centered
on girls’ and women’s player development. Through aligned pathways across Nassau and Suffolk
Counties, the club is building a connected development ecosystem designed to support elite youth
soccer, collegiate pathways, and future professional opportunities for female athletes on Long Island.
