WELCOME FROM THE METRO NEW YORK AMPUTEE SOCCER TEAM
For more information Contact Jim Franks @ jfranks@usampsoccer.org
Saturday from 9am until 11am @ SPORTIME KINGS PARK - April 15, 29, May 13, 20, and June 3, 17
MEET THE TEAM
Abdoula "Abdoul" Sow
Defense
Abdul is a versatile athlete who joined the NY Amputee Team in 2019 and is originally from Mauritania. Besides
soccer, Abdul also plays wheelchair basketball. He lost his leg when he was 8 after a motorcycle accident.
Favorite thing about soccer: "I love the fact that soccer is a team work game in which collaboration is the key to win."
Favorite pump-up song: Don't Let Me Down by The Chainsmokers
Abdul Halim Gyedu
Defense
Abdul is originally from Ghana. He joined the NY amputee soccer team in 2022 . He has been playing soccer for about 6 years.. He was born with Congenital fibular deficiency and had his right leg amputated below knee when he was 14 years old.
Favorite thing about soccer: "I love the opportunities that soccer provides, especially amputee soccer —health, self-esteem, friendships and most importantly, a passion for life. It is more than a sport, it's a lifestyle."
Favorite pump-up song: Never stop by Future
Carlos Ayala
Forward
Carlos has played soccer for 23 years and joined the U.S. Amputee Soccer Team in 2018. He lost part of his leg in the 2001 Salvadorean earthquake and was an active player of the Salvadorian National Amputee Soccer Team.
Favorite thing about soccer: "I love the passion of the sport and the chance to represent the country like a warrior."
Favorite pump-up song: Grito
Jiovany "Geo" Santibanez
Defense
Geo joined the team recently. He is still learning about soccer. He has a hemipelvectomy on his left side and is passionate about going to the gym in his free time. Geo likes to work, go to the gym, and rock climb. He also loves hanging with friends and family.
Favorite pump-up song: Eye Of The Tiger by Survivor
Jovan Lehfeld-Booker
Forward
Jovan has been playing soccer for 20 years and joined the U.S. Amputee Soccer Team in 2018. Jovan was born with fibular hemimelia and had part of his leg amputated when he was 10 months old. In addition to soccer, Jovan plays stand-up amputee basketball.
Favorite thing about soccer: "The rewarding feeling of coming together as a team to achieve a common goal."
Favorite pump-up song: SICKO MODE by Travis Scott ft. Drake
Kayde Palmer
Midfielder
Kayde joined Metro NY in 2021. He played 'conventional' soccer for 12 years until he got his amputation in 2020. The cause of his amputation was a motorcycle accident. Kayde enjoys outdoor activities and spends time with his family.
Favorite thing about soccer: "When I am in the field, I feel free. When I play soccer, I can truly express myself."
Favorite pump-up song: Get Back Up by T.I. & Chris Brown
Keita Karamacho "BK"
Defense
BK joined Metro NY in 2021. He has played soccer in Senegal and New York for a number of years before his amputation. He is still learning the rules of the game and adapting to it. BK lives in the Bronx, and he comes to every practice to go the extra mile.
Keith Mann
Defense
Keith has been playing soccer for 18 years. He is currently playing for Metro NY Amputee Soccer and the U.S. National Amputee Soccer Team. He lost part of his leg in a parkour accident when he was 17. In addition to soccer,, Keith enjoys cycling.
Favorite thing about soccer: "I’m fascinated by the movement and the space of the game, it's freeing in a way."
Patrick Filosa
Midfielder
Zef has played soccer for 18 years and joined the Metro NY Amputee Soccer Team in 2021. He lost part of his leg in a work accident. Zef is an experienced tattoo artist, husband, and father. He enjoys hiking and going on adventures.
Favorite thing about soccer: "I love being on the field and the sport itself. When I am on the field, the rest of the world goes away. "
Favorite pump-up song: I'm The Man By 50 Cent
Robert "Chino" Rodriguez
Forward
Robert had been playing soccer for about a year before joining the U.S. Amputee Soccer Team in 2017. Robert was born with fibula hemimelia. In addition to soccer, Robert plays competitive sled hockey, sit-down volleyball, stand-up amputee basketball and adaptive CrossFit.
Favorite thing about soccer: "The level of skill, the challenge and the love that the world has for one sport. It brings so many countries and communities together."
Favorite pump-up song: Believer by Imagine Dragons
Thomas "Tom" Stock
Defense
Tom joined Metro NY in 2021 and is excited to be back playing one of the games that he loves. He comes with more than 38 years of experience in athletics. Since he was a child, Tom has played soccer and lacrosse. In college, he continued playing and started to coach both games. Up until his recent amputation in 2019, Tom coached a local varsity soccer program and travel lacrosse programs.
Tom lives with his wife Maria and 4 children on Long Island. He loves to play competitive pool and stay active.
Favorite thing about soccer: "Soccer is a beautiful game and one of the sports that has no cultural or financial boundaries."
Favorite pump-up song: The Phoenix by Fall Out Boy
Yonatan Mendoza
Defense
Yonatan joined Metro NY in 2021 and is excited to be back playing on crutches once again. Since he plays able-bodied soccer, Yonatan is a former player of The National Salvadorian Amputee Soccer Team. Yonatan lives with his wife and son in Maryland.
Favorite thing about soccer: "Soccer is a way of living."
Zef Gjinaj
Midfielder
Zef has played soccer for 18 years and joined the Metro NY Amputee Soccer Team in 2021. He lost part of his leg in a work accident. Zef is an experienced tattoo artist, husband, and father. He enjoys hiking and going on adventures.
Favorite thing about soccer: "I love being on the field and the sport itself. When I am on the field, the rest of the world goes away. "
Favorite pump-up song: I'm The Man By 50 Cent
Juan Carlos Vargas Andrade
Defensive attacking mixed center midfielder
Juan was born in Venezuela. He has played soccer for 25 years, he lost his leg in Peru in an accident in 2018. He got up and played soccer again as one of the captains of the amputated soccer team of Peru playing the South American qualifying tournament for the Turkia 2022 World Cup. Juan arrives in the US with the mission of continuing to fulfill his dreams and goals in this sport of amputee soccer with the NY metro team and achieve everything possible and also be able to represent another national team like the USA. Besides football Juan Vargas was parapowerlifting champion in his category in 2019
Favorite thing about Soccer: it's all it teaches and all it achieves is global union for a common goal."
Favorite animated song: Bob Marley one love
COACHES & STAFF
NY Metro Amputee Soccer Team
James Pierre-Glaude, PT, DPT, ATC
Jim Franks
Head Coach, Metro New York Amputee Soccer Team
Jim started playing soccer at the age of 9 and graduated from C.W. Post, Long Island University where he captained his senior year.
Jim went on to instill his love for the game into his daughters. To this day, Jim continues to play soccer with the Commack Cougars O30 team. Soccer has always been Jim’s passion, and he is excited to continue to do what he loves.
Favorite song:
"Tubthumping I Get Knocked Down" by Chumbawamba
Eric M. Lamberg, PT, EdD
Staff, Metro New York Amputee Soccer Team
Head Coach, US National Amputee Soccer Team
President, American Amputee Soccer Association
Staff, Metro New York Amputee Soccer Team
Physical Therapist, US National Amputee Soccer Team
Secretary, American Amputee Soccer Association
2023 Calendar of Events
Practice Dates for First Quarter 2023
Saturday January 7th and January 28th 8-9am
Saturday February 4th 8-9am
and 3 to 4:30 pm. Match with NE Revolution,
Saturday February 25 8-9am
Saturday March 11 and 18th from 8-9am
2022 Calendar of Events
December 10th & 17th
New York Training & Recruiting Event
This is an open to all adults and children interested to join the Metro NY Amputee soccer team
Grab a ball and come down! For more information contact the coach here
Location:
SPORTIME Kings Park, 275 Old Indian Head Road, Kings Park, NY 11754
9:00 - 11:00 AM EST
October 22nd & 29th
New York Training & Recruiting Event
This is an open to all adults and children interested to join the Metro NY Amputee soccer team
Grab a ball and come down! For more information contact the coach here
Location:
SPORTIME Kings Park, 275 Old Indian Head Road, Kings Park, NY 11754
9:00 - 11:00 AM EST
August 13th & 20th
New York Training & Recruiting Event
This is an open to all adults and children interested to join the Metro NY Amputee soccer team
Grab a ball and come down! For more information contact the coach here
Location:
SPORTIME Kings Park, 275 Old Indian Head Road, Kings Park, NY 11754
9:00 - 11:00 AM EST
June 4th & 18th
New York Training & Recruiting Event
This is an open to all adults and children interested to join the Metro NY Amputee soccer team
Grab a ball and come down! For more information contact the coach here
Location:
SPORTIME Kings Park, 275 Old Indian Head Road, Kings Park, NY 11754
7:45 - 9:00 AM EST
April 9th & 23rd
New York Training & Recruiting Event
This is an open to all adults and children interested to join the Metro NY Amputee soccer team
Grab a ball and come down! For more information contact the coach here
Location:
SPORTIME Kings Park, 275 Old Indian Head Road, Kings Park, NY 11754
7:45 - 9:00 AM EST
February 12th & 26th
New York Training & Recruiting Event
This is an open to all adults and children interested to join the Metro NY Amputee soccer team
Grab a ball and come down! For more information contact the coach here
Location:
SPORTIME Kings Park, 275 Old Indian Head Road, Kings Park, NY 11754
7:45 - 9:00 AM EST
November 12th & 19th
New York Training & Recruiting Event
This is an open to all adults and children interested to join the Metro NY Amputee soccer team
Grab a ball and come down! For more information contact the coach here
Location:
SPORTIME Kings Park, 275 Old Indian Head Road, Kings Park, NY 11754
9:00 - 11:00 AM EST
September 17th & 24th
New York Training & Recruiting Event
This is an open to all adults and children interested to join the Metro NY Amputee soccer team
Grab a ball and come down! For more information contact the coach here
Location:
SPORTIME Kings Park, 275 Old Indian Head Road, Kings Park, NY 11754
9:00 - 11:00 AM EST
July 23rd & 30th
New York Training & Recruiting Event
This is an open to all adults and children interested to join the Metro NY Amputee soccer team
Grab a ball and come down! For more information contact the coach here
Location:
SPORTIME Kings Park, 275 Old Indian Head Road, Kings Park, NY 11754
9:00 - 11:00 AM EST
May 7th & 21st
New York Training & Recruiting Event
This is an open to all adults and children interested to join the Metro NY Amputee soccer team
Grab a ball and come down! For more information contact the coach here
Location:
SPORTIME Kings Park, 275 Old Indian Head Road, Kings Park, NY 11754
7:45 - 9:00 AM EST
March 5th & 26th
New York Training & Recruiting Event
This is an open to all adults and children interested to join the Metro NY Amputee soccer team
Grab a ball and come down! For more information contact the coach here
Location:
SPORTIME Kings Park, 275 Old Indian Head Road, Kings Park, NY 11754
7:45 - 9:00 AM EST
January 8th & 22nd
New York Training & Recruiting Event
This is an open to all adults and children interested to join the Metro NY Amputee soccer team
Grab a ball and come down! For more information contact the coach here
Location:
SPORTIME Kings Park, 275 Old Indian Head Road, Kings Park, NY 11754
7:45 - 9:00 AM EST
2021 Calendar of Events
December 4th & 18th
New York Training & Recruiting Event
This is an open to all adults and children interested to join the Metro NY Amputee soccer team
Grab a ball and come down! For more information contact the coach here
Location:
SPORTIME Kings Park, 275 Old Indian Head Road, Kings Park, NY 11754
8:00 - 10:00 AM EST
October 9th & 23rd
New York Training & Recruiting Event
This is an open to all adults and children interested to join the Metro NY Amputee soccer team
Grab a ball and come down! For more information contact the coach here
Location:
SPORTIME Kings Park, 275 Old Indian Head Road, Kings Park, NY 11754
8:00 - 10:00 AM EST
November 6th & 20th
New York Training & Recruiting Event
This is an open to all adults and children interested to join the Metro NY Amputee soccer team
Grab a ball and come down! For more information contact the coach here
Location:
SPORTIME Kings Park, 275 Old Indian Head Road, Kings Park, NY 11754
8:00 - 10:00 AM EST
September 11th & 25th
New York Training & Recruiting Event
This is an open to all adults and children interested to join the Metro NY Amputee soccer team
Grab a ball and come down! For more information contact the coach here
Location:
SPORTIME Kings Park, 275 Old Indian Head Road, Kings Park, NY 11754
8:00 - 10:00 AM EST
August 14th & 28th
New York Training & Recruiting Event
This is an open to all adults and children interested to join the Metro NY Amputee soccer team
Grab a ball and come down! For more information contact the coach here
Location:
SPORTIME Kings Park, 275 Old Indian Head Road, Kings Park, NY 11754
10:00 - 11:30 AM EST
July 10th & 17th
New York Training & Recruiting Event
This is an open to all adults and children interested to join the Metro NY Amputee soccer team
Grab a ball and come down! For more information contact the coach here
Location:
SPORTIME Kings Park, 275 Old Indian Head Road, Kings Park, NY 11754
10:00 - 11:30 AM EST
May 15th & 22nd
New York Training & Recruiting Event
These events are open to all adults and children interested to join the Metro NY Amputee soccer team
Grab a ball and come down! For more information contact the coach here
Location:
SPORTIME Kings Park, 275 Old Indian Head Road, Kings Park, NY 11754
10:00 - 11:30 AM EST
March 20th
1st Scrimmage of 2021 Featuring Metro New York & New England
This is an open to all adults and children interested to join the Metro NY Amputee soccer team
Location:
SPORTIME Kings Park, 275 Old Indian Head Road, Kings Park, NY 11754
7:30 - 9:00 AM EST
July 31st
2nd Scrimmage of 2021 Featuring Metro New York & New England
This is an event by invitation only hosted by New York Red Bulls
Location:
Red Bull Arena, 600 Cape May St. Harrison, NJ 07029
1:30 - 4:00 PM EST
June 12th & 26th
New York Training & Recruiting Event
These events are an open to all adults and children interested to join the Metro NY Amputee soccer team
Grab a ball and come down! For more information contact the coach here
Location:
SPORTIME Kings Park, 275 Old Indian Head Road, Kings Park, NY 11754
10:00 - 11:30 AM EST
April 10th & 24th
New York Training & Recruiting Event
These events are open to all adults and children interested to join the Metro NY Amputee soccer team
Grab a ball and come down! For more information contact the coach here
Location:
SPORTIME Kings Park, 275 Old Indian Head Road, Kings Park, NY 11754
10:00 - 11:30 AM EST
February 20th
New York Training & Recruiting Event
This is an open to all adults and children interested to join the Metro NY Amputee soccer team
Location:
SPORTIME Kings Park, 275 Old Indian Head Road, Kings Park, NY 11754
8:00 - 9:00 AM EST
January 16th
New York Training & Recruiting Event
This is an open to all adults and children interested to join the Metro NY Amputee soccer team
Location:
SPORTIME Kings Park, 275 Old Indian Head Road, Kings Park, NY 11754
8:00 - 9:00 AM EST
PLAYERS IN THE NEWS
Gallery
Training Camp - Feb 12th 2022
Training Camp - Jan 22nd 2022
Training Camp - Jan 8th 2022
Training Camp - Dec 18th 2021
Training Camp - Dec 4th 2021
Training Camp - Nov 20th 2021
Training Camp - Nov 6th 2021
Training Camp - Oct 23rd 2021
Training Camp - Oct 9th 2021
Training Camp - Jul 17th 2021
Training Camp - Jul 10th 2021
Training Camp - Jun 25th 2021
Training Camp - Jun 12th 2021
Training Camp - May 22nd 2021
Training Camp - May 15th 2021
Training Camp - Apr 24th 2021
Training Camp - Apr 10th 2021
Training Camp - Mar 2021
Training Camp - Feb 2021
Training Camp - Jan 2021
Sponsorships
THANK YOU TO OUR CORPORATE PARTNERS
