Moussa Sy
President
Moussa Sy, born in Guinea, has had a soccer ball at his feet since he could walk. From there, he was recruited to play for Dowling College where had his first NCAA tournament appearance. Following his tenure at Dowling, Moussa went on to play for the Long Island Rough Riders for 6 years, where he led the team in goals for 2 straight seasons. He would then receive his coaching license and form the Skills Unlimited Soccer Academy (SUSA) where he has been training future soccer stars since 2001.
Eddie Hackett
Boys Technical Director
Born and raised in Manchester England, Eddie Hackett spent his youth playing career in the Manchester United FC Youth Academy System. After playing Semi Professionally in Manchester, Eddie delved into coaching where his background includes Man City to ODP and NY Red Bulls. Eddie lends his 20+ years of coaching experience to SUSA as the Boys Technical Director.
J.R Balzarini
Girls Technical Director
Native Long Islander, JR Balzarini serves as the Girls Technical director for the past 4 years. JR grew up playing locally for Sachem and went on to play at the D1 College level at Marist College. His coaching experience of 16+ years is an invaluable asset to SUSA, and has coached many USYNT players, All-Americans and numerous D1 and D2 college level players.
John Burke
Boys Jr. Academy Director
John Burke was born in Brussels, Belgium before moving to the United States where he grew up in Virginia and played for the Youth ODP State Team. He went to college at Mount Saint Mary's, Emmitsburg MD, where he was 9th all time in career points. John Burke has a National Youth Coaching License and NSCAA National Diploma and also serves as the Varsity Coach of Sayville High School.
Mervin Shade
Girls Goalkeeping Director
Mervin Shade has played at the collegiate level with Dowling College, where upon graduating returned back to the school to lend his playing experience as coach. During his time there, they won an NCAA National Championship, then went on to win another Championship at Suffolk, and following that, at Adelphi. Mervin’s Goalkeeping accolades as both player and coach are second to none within the SUSA Academy family.
Deanna Giordano
Girls Jr. Academy Director
Deanna Giordano has been with SUSA FC for 5 years as the Girls Jr. Academy Director. Deanna’s background includes 12 years of coaching experience as well as having been a collegiate soccer player at LIU Post & The College of Saint Rose (Fun Fact: Deanna started playing youth soccer at Baymen!)
Deanna began her youth playing career as a striker, and it wasn't until her senior year of H.S where she transitioned to Goalie, and from there was recruited to play in college. Her accolades include GK of the year for the NE10 Conference, All American, and was inducted into the Sayville High School Hall of Fame.
Her passion for coaching and the pride she takes in her program shines through in everything she does, including helping young female athletes develop a love for the game, while learning to challenge themselves. She wants her players to be a force to reckon with on the field!
Jon Zapata
Boys Goalkeeping Director
John Zapata started his coaching career in 2015 at Gold Coast on Long Island before transitioning to a goalkeeper coach at FC SESA Academy in 2018 and Met Oval Academy in 2020. John has been with SUSA ever since, and prides himself in the development of youth goalkeepers.
John’s background as a starting collegiate goalkeeper, All American and an MVP Honor at the NJCAA 2014 National Championship, as well as current Queens College Mens Assistant Coach, gives him the knowledge and experience to work 1:1 with SUSA’s young talent and shape them technically and tactically. Currently Zapata holds the United States Soccer Federation C license.
Flavio Ferri
SUSA Boys ECNL Director
Flavio Ferri has been coaching with SUSA and SUSA Albertson for 3 years, and currently serves as the SUSA Boys ECNL Director. Flavio's vast soccer background includes such accolades as being named two-time College All American, playing for the U.S U-23 National Team, and professionally with the Tampa Bay Mutiny, Long Island Rough Riders, and America FC Brazil. His 20+ years coaching experience that he brings to SUSA and SUSA Albertson has produced numerous professional players on both the womens and mens sides. Flavio holds his NSCAA Advanced National and USSF C licenses! He currently coaches Boys 2008 ECNL and ECNL RL, in hopes of turning them into future soccer stars!