THE GOTTSCHEE WAY

Blau Weiss Gottschee is a renowned youth soccer club based in New York City that has gained recognition for our exceptional player development program. With a strong emphasis on technical skills and tactical understanding, the club has produced several players who have reached the highest levels of the sport, including the World Cup. Blau Weiss Gottschee's commitment to nurturing young talent and providing them with a comprehensive training environment has played a significant role in the development of players like Timothy Weah and Jack McGlynn.

gottschee lifting the Northeast league trophy

Blau Weiss Gottschee's technical player development philosophy revolves around instilling a deep understanding of the game and honing the fundamental skills required to excel at the professional level. The club places great importance on ball mastery, individual creativity, and intelligent decision-making on the field. By focusing on these aspects, we create an environment that fosters innovation and encourages players to express themselves freely on the pitch.


The success of Blau Weiss Gottschee's player development program is evident in the rise of Timothy Weah and Jack McGlynn. Timothy Weah, son of legendary footballer George Weah, emerged as a highly promising talent during his time at the club. He showcased his technical abilities, versatility, and soccer IQ, which eventually earned him a place in the prestigious Paris Saint-Germain youth academy and later led to his participation in the FIFA World Cup representing the United States.

grown up gottschee youth product Timothy Weah with the next class

Similarly, Jack McGlynn, another product of Blau Weiss Gottschee, has demonstrated remarkable skills and potential. His technical proficiency, vision on the field, and ability to dictate the game have caught the attention of scouts and coaches. McGlynn's development at the club has propelled him to secure a professional contract with Philadelphia Union in Major League Soccer, bringing him one step closer to international recognition.

grown up gottschee youth product Jack McGlynn pictured with the youngest Gottschee teams

Blau Weiss Gottschee's commitment to technical player development, combined with our holistic approach to training and nurturing young talent, has undoubtedly played a crucial role in producing players of the caliber of Timothy Weah and Jack McGlynn. The club's dedication to excellence and emphasis on developing well-rounded individuals both on and off the field continue to make us a leading force in youth soccer player development.

Our Development Pathway

College & Beyond

BWG's focus on technical ability and possession skills, cultivated from a young age in Zone 1 all the way to the academy, has translated into success for our players at the collegiate and professional levels. This foundation has propelled numerous BWG graduates to excel in college soccer, where their technical proficiency and ability to maintain possession have made them stand out among their peers.

This emphasis on technical development and confident possession has produced remarkable talents such as Timothy Weah and Jack McGlynn, who have made significant impacts in their careers. The success of these players is a testament to the effectiveness of BWG's player development pathway, showcasing the club's ability to nurture players with the necessary skills to thrive in collegiate and professional soccer.

BWG Academy

BWG's MLS Next program teaches academy players to play confidently in possession, making them highly attractive prospects for college and professional opportunities. By instilling confidence in possession, BWG equips players with the skills and mindset to excel at higher levels of the game, making them sought-after prospects for college and professional teams.

College and professional coaches value players who are comfortable on the ball and can retain possession under pressure, making BWG graduates stand out. The program's reputation for producing technically proficient players opens doors for them when applying to colleges or catching the attention of professional scouts. BWG provides academy players with the tools to excel both on and off the field, paving the way for exciting opportunities in college and professional soccer.

Zone 1 Development

BWG's Zone 1 program stands out from other clubs by prioritizing dribbling skills over winning. In this unique program, the development of players' dribbling abilities takes center stage. By placing a strong emphasis on dribbling, the club aims to cultivate players who are confident in possession and capable of maintaining control in various game situations.

The club's approach fosters players who are comfortable taking on opponents and adept at maintaining possession even in tight spaces. This focus on dribbling not only enhances players' abilities but also instills a belief in their own skills, empowering them to make positive contributions on the field. BWG Zone 1 stands as a testament to the club's commitment to developing well-rounded players.

Grassroots

Blau Weiss Gottschee's intramural soccer program introduces boys and girls aged 4 to 9 to soccer through fun technical exercises, ball work, and small-sided games. The program focuses on developing a love for the game while teaching basic skills such as dribbling, passing, and shooting. The program focuses on developing a love for the game while emphasizing technical skills through a variety of exercises and ball work.

Through age-appropriate activities and games, children learn teamwork, communication, and sportsmanship in a positive and supportive environment. Blau Weiss Gottschee's intramural program provides a great introduction to soccer, fostering a lifelong passion for the sport while building a strong technical foundation.

USMNT LogoMLS LogoNCAA Logo

Pro / NY Red Bulls,

US Mens National Team, College

BWG's focus on technical ability and possession skills, cultivated from a young age in Zone 1 all the way to the academy, has translated into success for our players at the collegiate and professional levels. This foundation has propelled numerous BWG graduates to excel in college soccer, where their technical proficiency and ability to maintain possession have made them stand out among their peers.

This emphasis on technical development and confident possession has produced remarkable talents such as Timothy Weah and Jack McGlynn, who have made significant impacts in their careers. The success of these players is a testament to the effectiveness of BWG's player development pathway, showcasing the club's ability to nurture players with the necessary skills to thrive in collegiate and professional soccer.

USMNT LogoMLS Next Partner LogoNational Academy League Logo

US Youth National Teams, MLS NEXT, MLS II

U12 - U19

BWG's MLS Next program teaches academy players to play confidently in possession, making them highly attractive prospects for college and professional opportunities. By instilling confidence in possession, BWG equips players with the skills and mindset to excel at higher levels of the game, making them sought-after prospects for college and professional teams.

College and professional coaches value players who are comfortable on the ball and can retain possession under pressure, making BWG graduates stand out. The program's reputation for producing technically proficient players opens doors for them when applying to colleges or catching the attention of professional scouts. BWG provides academy players with the tools to excel both on and off the field, paving the way for exciting opportunities in college and professional soccer.

EDP logoCJSL logoUS Youth Soccer Logo

Boys Developmental Teams

U8 - U11

BWG's Zone 1 program stands out from other clubs by prioritizing dribbling skills over winning. In this unique program, the development of players' dribbling abilities takes center stage. By placing a strong emphasis on dribbling, the club aims to cultivate players who are confident in possession and capable of maintaining control in various game situations.

The club's approach fosters players who are comfortable taking on opponents and adept at maintaining possession even in tight spaces. This focus on dribbling not only enhances players' abilities but also instills a belief in their own skills, empowering them to make positive contributions on the field. BWG Zone 1 stands as a testament to the club's commitment to developing well-rounded players.

Blau Weiss Gottschee Logo

Grassroots - Intramural Program

U4 - U9

Blau Weiss Gottschee's intramural soccer program introduces boys and girls aged 4 to 9 to soccer through fun technical exercises, ball work, and small-sided games. The program focuses on developing a love for the game while teaching basic skills such as dribbling, passing, and shooting. The program focuses on developing a love for the game while emphasizing technical skills through a variety of exercises and ball work.

Through age-appropriate activities and games, children learn teamwork, communication, and sportsmanship in a positive and supportive environment. Blau Weiss Gottschee's intramural program provides a great introduction to soccer, fostering a lifelong passion for the sport while building a strong technical foundation.

NY Red Bulls Affiliate

NY Red Bulls Affiliate

The New York Red Bulls Academy Affiliate Program, part of the MLS Youth Affiliate Network, is a platform designed to improve the player identification and development of elite youth level players by providing greater access to high level soccer opportunities.

The most talented players within the Academy Affiliate Program participate in co-partnered elite player development and talent identification programs operated by both Blau Weiss Gottschee and the New York Red Bulls Academy.

In addition, Blau Weiss Gottschee and each affiliate will be introduced to a coaching education schedule tailored to elite level player identification and development.

NY Red Bulls Academy Affiliate

Recent Developments

Kyle Duncan BWG player

Kyle Duncan

Dylan Nealis BWG Player

Dylan Nealis

Omir Fernandez BWG product

Omir Fernandez

National Champions

Cultivating Championship Teams

Our 1998's managed to secure the most desired trophy in the USA in 2014, The US Club Championship.
trophy icon

2014 US Club Champion

Our 1998's managed to secure the most desired trophy in the USA in 2014, The US Club Championship.

2014 US Club Champion

Our 1998's managed to secure the most desired trophy in the USA in 2014, The US Club Championship.

Our 1999/2000's in the summer of 2014 secured themselves a back-to-back Super-Y National Championship.
trophy icon

2014 SYL National Champion

Our 1999/2000's in the summer of 2014 secured themselves a back-to-back Super-Y National Championship.

2014 SYL National Champion

Our 1999/2000's in the summer of 2014 secured themselves a back-to-back Super-Y National Championship.

Our 1999/2000s felt right at home in Florida taking home the first of two back-to-back trophies in the Super-Y League.
trophy icon

2013 SYL National Champion

Our 1999/2000s felt right at home in Florida taking home the first of two back-to-back trophies in the Super-Y League.

2013 SYL National Champion

Our 1999/2000s felt right at home in Florida taking home the first of two back-to-back trophies in the Super-Y League.

After a 30 year wait, BWG finally brought the USYSA National Trophy back to Middle Village.
trophy icon

1985 USYSA National Champion

After a 30 year wait, BWG finally brought the USYSA National Trophy back to Middle Village.

1985 USYSA National Champion

After a 30 year wait, BWG finally brought the USYSA National Trophy back to Middle Village.

The first national championship that paved the way for the rest. Winning ran in the club since its inception in 1951.
trophy icon

1955 USYSA National Champion

The first national championship that paved the way for the rest. Winning ran in the club since its inception in 1951.

1955 USYSA National Champion

The first national championship that paved the way for the rest. Winning ran in the club since its inception in 1951.

The Champions Wall

National

5

National

CHAMPIONS

Regional

12

Regional

CHAMPIONS

State

71

State

CHAMPIONS

League

160

League

CHAMPIONS

Cup

33

Cup

CHAMPIONS

NOTABLE ALUMNI

Michael Windischmann, 1990 World Cup USMNT Captain, US National Soccer Hall of Fame, 2002

Michael Windischmann

1990 World Cup USMNT Captain, US National Soccer Hall of Fame

Arnold Mausser, USMNT, US National Soccer Hall of Fame, 2002

Arnold Mausser

USMNT, US National Soccer Hall of Fame

Willy Schaller, 1952 Olympics USMNT Bronze, US National Soccer Hall of Fame, 1952

Willy Schaller

1952 Olympics USMNT Bronze, US National Soccer Hall of Fame

Timothy Weah, Juventus FC, USMNT, 2010 - 2013

Timothy Weah

Juventus FC, USMNT

Matteo Ritaccio, Liverpool FC, 2004

Matteo Ritaccio

Liverpool FC

Jack McGlynn, Philadelphia Union, 2006 - 2020

Jack McGlynn

Philadelphia Union

Omir Fernandez, New York Red Bulls, 2007 - 2016

Omir Fernandez

New York Red Bulls

Dylan Nealis, New York Red Bulls, 2011 - 2016

Dylan Nealis

New York Red Bulls

View More Notable Alumni

Jaden Bascome - Guyana YNT

Arun Basuljevic - USYNT

Jesse Bradley - NY Cosmos, New Amsterdam

Miguel Brunengo - USYNT

Anthony Carears - USYNT

Bryan Celis - Chile U17

Andreas Chronis - AEK (Greece), Nea Ionia (Greece)

Nick Costa - NY Cosmos

Charlie DeMarco - USYNT

Aaron Dennis - Miami FC, NY Cosmos

David Diosa - NY Cosmos, Richmond, Real Salt Lake (USL), New Amsterdam

Julian Escobar - US Futsal World Cup, Baltimore Blast (MISL)

Milton A Espinoza - Puerto Rico MNT, Penn/Jersey Spirit, Jersey Dragons, LI Roughriders

Marcelo Essabba - NY Fever

Gabriel Enzo Ferrari - Sampdoria AC (Italy), Perugia (Italy)

Gustavo Fernandes - Madison FC

Leo Fernandes - USYNT, NY Cosmos, Tampa Bay Rowdies

Omir Fernandez - USYNT, NY Red Bulls

Joe Fink - NY Cosmos, Tampa Bay Rowdies, Philadelphia Fever, Baltimore Blast

Willi Freitag - USMNT

Kevin Garcia - Galaway (Ireland), Houston Dynamo

John Grasser - Rochester Lancers

Daniel Gray - Orion FC (Costa Rica)

Alex Grendi - Columbus Crew

Callum Johnson - LA Galaxy

Christian Johnson - USYNT

Erhardt Kapp - NY Cosmos, Pittsburgh Spirit, LA Lazer

Kurt Kelley - Deportivo Saprissa (Costa Rica)

Danny Kelly - Harrisburg Heat (MISL), Baltimore Blast (MISL), Hershey Wildcats (MISL), Rochester Rhinos

Alfred Kikel - USMNT

Helmut Kofler - USMNT

Walter Kraker - NY Fever

Joe Krische - USMNT

Jason Lannert - Puerto Rico MNT

Bryan Lopez - Sportivo Luqueno (Paraguay)

Walter Loske - FC Brugge (Belgium), Graz AC (Austria)

Joe Mallia - Baltimore Spirit, Harrisburg Heat (MISL), Dayton, Dynamo, Penn/Jersey Spirit

Luca Martovic - USYNT

Arnold Mausser - USMNT, Rhode Island Oceaneers, Hartford Bicentennials, Tampa Bay Rowdies, Vancouver Whitecaps, Colorado Caribous, Fort Lauderdale Strikers, New England/Jacksonville Tea Men

Mike Mellis - Westchester Flames, NJ Imperials, LI Roughriders

Bernd Messing - Cleveland Spirit

Eder Mosquera - USYNT

Tommy Mulroy - Miami Toros

Alex Muyl - USYNT, NY Red Bulls, Nashville SC

Douglas Narvaez - LI Roughriders

Edson Nascimento (Son of Pele) - Santos (Brasil), Portoguesa Santista (Brasil), Sao Caetano (Brasil), Ponte Preta (Brasil)

Joseph Navarino - LI Roughriders

Bradley Nestor - St. Lucia

JC Obergon - Honduras Olympic Team, RGV FC Toros (USL), Necaxa (Mexico), Hartford Athletic

Michael Palacio - NY Red Bulls, FK Radnicki Obrenavoc (Serbia)

Karl Pfister - USYNT

Noah Ponder - Real Salt Lake

Dragan Radovich - Washington Diplomats, Portland Timbers, Chicago Sting

Carlo Ritaccio - USYNT, Chicago Fire

Matteo Ritaccio - USYNT, Liverpool FC (England)

Akeel Rodney - USYNT

Brian Saramango - NY Red Bulls, NK Rudar Velenje (Slovenia)

Jermey Saravia - Getafe FC (Spain), Sociedad Deportes (Spain)

Dom Sarle - USYNT

Siggi Stritzl - USMNT, Baltimore Bays, NY Cosmos

Joshua Travagli - FC Chiasso (Switerland), Fort Lauderdale Strikers, Rot Weiss Ahlen (Germany), Miami United

Matthew Uy - USYNT

Xavier Valdes - Dominican Republic

Anthony Viteri - USYNT

Michael Windischmann - USMNT Captain (1990 US World Cup), USYNT, LA Lazers, Albany Capitals

Our History

Gottschee was founded at the end of the 13th century, carved out of the uninhabited mountain forests in what is today the south central part of Slovenia.

The county of Gottschee was colonized in 1300 by the Carinthian counts of Ortenburg with settlers from Carinthia and Tyrol, and by other settlers who came from Austrian and German Dioceses of Salzburg, Brixen, and Freising. The settlers cleared the vacant and heavily forested land and established towns and rural villages.

The area of lower Carniola (the duchy of Carniola was called Krain in German) that was to become Gottschee had been a strategic part of the Holy Roman Empire since the year 800. As a result, there were a number of important castles and fortifications in and around Gottschee.

In 1350, the emperor made available 300 families from Thuringia in Germany, and this group formed the basis of the population of Gottschee County as a German-speaking language island in a duchy mostly inhabited by Slovenians.