Three Asphalt Green Soccer Club Athletes Sign for New York Red Bulls
Years of after-school practice. Weekends spent driving to tournaments. Countless hours spent trying to become the best athletes they could be.
All for this moment.
Last month, Asphalt Green Soccer Club’s Lucas Toma, Astor Lagos, and Leo Arcoria got the news they’ve been waiting for since they first fell in love with the game.
Starting next season, they will all play for the New York Red Bulls’ professional academy.
Everyone at AGSC congratulates Lucas, Astor, Leo, and their families on earning a place on the New York Red Bulls. This achievement is a testament to their passion, dedication, and willingness to learn, values we instill in every AGSC athlete. We are so proud of all of you and can’t wait to see what you accomplish in the next phase of your journey.
– Juan Gatti, Director of Soccer
Lucas, Astor, and Leo had different paths to get here. But their journeys are united by the hard work, discipline, and commitment they’ve all shown with AGSC. Now, they’ll continue the club’s tradition of developing players from our competitive teams for the professional level.
Before they suit up for the NYRB, we sat down with these young athletes and the coaches who helped them along the way to find out what this achievement means for all of them.
Lucas Toma
Lucas has been an AGSC athlete for many years, working mostly with coach Michael Merino. Lucas plays mainly as a striker, but he can also play as a winger. His strength, speed and technical abilities to create separation, turn under pressure, and strike a ball make him a great attacking player.
“He was very excited to learn Red Bulls New York offered him a spot. The lesson he will take is always work hard and continue improving.”
Lucas has been playing a year up since joining the team four years ago and has consistently risen to the challenge. He is one of our strongest players, with the confidence and ability to create opportunities even when surrounded by defenders. Lucas embraces the physical and mental demands of competing against older players and is never afraid to take on a challenge. His composure, determination, and resilience have made him an exceptional competitor and leader on the field.
– Michael Merino, AGSC Travel Coach
Astor Lagos
Astor has been playing two years above his age group with AGSC, proving himself to be an exceptional goalkeeper. Coaches cite Astor’s fearlessness as one of his outstanding qualities, often commanding his older teammates with the authority of a seasoned leader. His determination, leadership, and work ethic will all serve him well as he enters the next chapter of his young career.
How did you feel when you found out you were offered a spot ON NYRB’s academy?
When I found out I had been offered a spot at NYRB’s academy, I felt ecstatic, proud, and grateful. Grateful to my coaches for mentoring and challenging me, to my family for their love and support, and to my teammates for their friendship and all the great times we shared.
What lessons will you take with you from AGSC to NYRB?
At AGSC, I learned that while winning is nice, learning and improving are even more important. I will take with me Coach Bouna’s advice: “The big saves are great, but pay attention to the small ones. Keep it simple. Stay hungry. Stay humble.”
Astor is mature beyond his years, and always responds to setbacks with the right balance of confidence and humility.
Ned Weiss, AGSC Technical Director
Leo Arcoria
Leo joined AGSC at just 10 years old. Despite having an older brother who is a goalkeeper, Leo never played the position before AGSC. But under the guidance of Goalkeeping Director Bouna Condoul, his natural talent for the position quickly emerged.
How did you feel when you found out you were offered a spot ON NYRB’s academy?
When I was offered a NYRB academy spot, I was very excited and proud of myself for this achievement. It was a very rewarding experience because I saw all of my hard work and dedication pay off.
What lessons will you take with you from AGSC to NYRB?
AGSC taught me so many lessons that I will keep with me not only at NYRB but beyond. Some of the main things AGSC taught me is to always work hard and put in effort, and to never give up when you make a mistake but rather to take that moment as a learning experience and grow from it.
Leo trained with Coach Bouna and built confidence through adversity. He’s developed very quickly and is now one of the best goalkeepers of his age in the area.
Ned Weiss, AGSC Technical Director
