In (or On) a borough better
known for its raging drivers
screaming on its expressways
and bridges, and where
fantastic pizza is baked fresh
every day, epic mozzarella pulls,
and fine espresso flows like the
Hudson River does under the
Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge.

SoccerStars celebrates
the historic players like:
Cristiano Ronaldo 🇵🇹
Pelé 🇧🇷
Diego Maradona 🇦🇷
Lionel Messi 🇦🇷

YEREVAN, ARMENIA, SEPTEMERT 6, 2025: Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifying match between Armenia and Portugal at Republican Stadium in Yerevan, September 6, 2025

Soccer Stars of Staten Island is quietly staging a small revolution—one soccer ball at a time. They know that the greats started practicing and playing when they were weaned in their single, pre-teen digits.

This is not the fever-dream version of youthful sports, all sideline theatrics and the occasional misplaced ambition.

In their words:

Soccer Stars was founded in the year 2000 by Gustavo Szulansky, a New York City father of three and native of Argentina. With fútbol in his blood and having spent countless hours searching for quality programs for his own children, he set out to build a children’s soccer program that was developmentally sound, joyful, and truly impactful.Backed by over 24 years of experience, Soccer Stars delivers a research-based, age-specific curriculum designed to develop fundamental soccer skills while building confidence, independence, and social growth—on and off the field.

The Soccer Stars of Staten Island franchise is owned and operated by Vivek Galera, a longtime soccer enthusiast with a deep belief in the power of sport to shape confidence, character, and community. Vivek was driven by more than a love for the game—he was motivated by a desire to create meaningful opportunities for children and families through a program rooted in development, inclusion, and joy.

In searching for the right platform to make that impact, Vivek discovered Soccer Stars and immediately connected with its mission. The program’s emphasis on age-appropriate learning, positive coaching, and whole-child development closely aligned with his values. What stood out most was Soccer Stars’ ability to balance structure with fun—teaching the game in a way that builds skills while fostering confidence and a genuine love for movement.

Staten Island quickly emerged as the ideal community for this vision. With its strong neighborhood culture, family-oriented values, and growing enthusiasm for soccer, Vivek saw an opportunity not just to offer classes, but to build a lasting presence—one that would grow alongside the community it served. His goal was to establish Soccer Stars of Staten Island as a trusted partner for families, schools, and local organizations across the borough.

As the franchise began to take shape, Vivek recognized that while the foundation was strong, one critical piece was still missing—a leader who could bring consistency, culture, and operational excellence to day-to-day experience. That missing piece came when he was fortunate to welcome Ronaldo Nieto from the Soccer Stars NY Metro team.

Now serving as General Manager of Soccer Stars of Staten Island, Ronaldo brings years of experience in youth development, coach leadership, and program growth. His approach centers on building strong coaching teams, supporting families, and creating environments where children feel seen, supported, and inspired—whether it’s their first time stepping onto the field or a continuation of their athletic journey.

Our programs are intentionally designed to meet children where they are, blending structure with creativity, movement with imagination, and coaching with mentorship. The result is not just stronger soccer players, but more confident kids and more connected communities—a standard that continues to define Soccer Stars across Staten Island.

No, Soccer Stars trades in something rarer in New York: measured confidence, incremental mastery, and the radical notion that joy and the GAME is its own performance metric. Here, on neatly lined fields tucked between neighborhoods and nap schedules, Staten Island’s youngest residents are learning that success is less about scoring goals and more about discovering they can.

In their words:

We serve children ages 1–12 and the parents who want their kids to play, learn, and grow in a non-competitive, nurturing environment. Our age-appropriate programs create a fun, supportive space where every child can build confidence, coordination, and a love for movement—at their own pace.

The program’s genius lies in its patience and restraint. Coaches don’t bark; they guide. Sessions are calibrated with the precision of an 8grape or SiLive media plan—age-appropriate, psychologically savvy, and deceptively fun.

What looks like play is,
in fact, an in-grained
CULTURAL curriculum.

Balance becomes coordination. Coordination becomes courage. Courage, eventually, becomes a child who raises their hand more often in class.

Parents notice. Of course they do. In a city addicted to velocity, Soccer Stars offers something countercultural: development that cannot be rushed. The brand understands its audience isn’t just the child with shin guards—it’s the modern New York family seeking structure without severity, community without chaos.

In their words:

Soccer Stars is more than just a soccer program—it’s a pathway for building life skills through the game. As the nation’s most popular children’s soccer program for ages 1 to 12+, we use soccer as a powerful tool to support early childhood development and lifelong confidence.

Our mission is to help children grow both on and off the field by strengthening gross motor skills, fundamental soccer techniques, and overall physical literacy.

Each class is thoughtfully designed to meet children at their developmental level, ensuring they feel supported, challenged, and proud of their progress. Soccer Stars coaches create a fun, safe, and non-competitive learning environment where every child can thrive. Through engaging activities, positive reinforcement, and age-appropriate instruction, children build self-confidence, coordination, teamwork, and a love for movement.

Whether it’s a toddler taking their first kick or an older child refining their skills, Soccer Stars helps every player develop the foundation for a healthy, active lifestyle—one class at a time.“

In their words:

Soccer Stars has been proudly serving families for over 24 years, providing high-quality, year-round soccer classes and camps for children ages 1–12. Our programs are thoughtfully designed to grow with your child—from our engaging Parent & Me classes for toddlers to skill-building fundamentals for older players.

We believe learning soccer should be fun, supportive, and pressure-free. That’s why all Soccer Stars classes are taught in a non-competitive, nurturing environment where children feel encouraged to try, learn, and succeed at their own pace. Our age-appropriate curriculum, developed by early childhood and youth soccer experts, focuses on building strong motor skills, soccer fundamentals, and overall physical literacy.“

In their words:

Our highly-trained coaches use positive reinforcement and individualized instruction to ensure every child feels seen, supported, and confident—both on and off the field. Each class is more than just soccer; it’s an opportunity for children to develop self-confidence, coordination, social skills, and a lifelong love of movement.

In addition to our public classes and camps, Soccer Stars proudly partners with numerous childcare centers, preschools, elementary schools, and community organizations, bringing our trusted programming directly to children where they learn and play. These partnerships allow us to support educators and families by providing structured, engaging physical activity during the school day and beyond.“

In their words:

We’re honored to serve the Staten Island community, offering multiple weekday and weekend classes to fit busy family schedules. Join us at convenient local locations including Bloomingdale Park, Clove Lakes Park, and the Jewish Community Center (JCC).

Come kick, learn, and grow with Soccer Stars—where every child builds skills, confidence, and a love for the game.”