Mattituck, Southold boys’ soccer spent summer learning from the sport’s best

You might want to call it the most unique summer school for soccer players.

Just watching the World Cup was a learning experience for the Southold and Mattituck High boys competing in the Town of Brookhaven Summer Soccer League for the past six weeks. They learned from watching the best players in the world.

“One of my teammates said, ‘Watch the World Cup, see what position you’re playing in and see what that person does in the game and try to take some notes from that,’ ” Southold midfielder Elmer Velasquez said after the Settlers’ 3-0 loss to Sayville at Center Moriches High School Monday night. “Just positioning and know where to be.”

Mattituck midfielder Andy Mancia watched Spain captain and midfielder Rodri, the tournament MVP as the Golden Ball winner.

“Amazing player,” said Mancia, whose Tuckers lost to Rocky Point in the second game of the doubleheader, 3-2. “Runs a lot, protects the ball, helps the team a lot. Without him, I don’t think they could have won the World Cup.”

Spain defeated Argentina at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. on Sunday, July 19.

“Every time you watch someone professional playing, you pay attention, see what type of moves they do,” Mancia said. “You learn while watching them play.”

Added teammate Dylan Palencia: “You’re seeing the highest level of players of each team. That’s what professional teams do: watch games, study tactics. It’s a great opportunity.”

For Settlers head coach Chris Ruggi, the World Cup allowed him to concentrate on one area.

“A big focus of ours this offseason has been fitness,” he said. “Just seeing how fit these guys are and the work they put in to achieve that level of fitness is something that we point out. Another thing is just the way they’re mentally aware throughout the game, looking and anticipating.”

For Tuckers head coach Dan O’Sullivan, it was a perfect way to introduce various styles into his tactics.

“We have group messages. I’m in touch with a lot of the seniors, saying, ‘Watch this team, we’re going to try this formation,’ ” he said.

The consensus was that Spain was the deserved winner. They were also disappointed in Argentina’s performance — and superstar Lionel Messi’s — in the final.

“I would have liked a little bit more of a high-scoring game,” Tuckers midfielder Charlie Carter said. “It was definitely an upset to see Messi with almost no contributions to the game. Growing up watching him, it was kind of disappointing to see that performance. But I’m glad Spain won.”

Ruggi said that the final was “almost uncompetitive at times.”

“But in the back of your mind, you had Argentina just needing that one chance,” he added. “It seemed almost inevitable that they would do something. Spain’s defensive abilities were very impressive.”

O’Sullivan agreed.

“You couldn’t root against Argentina just because of Messi and just the whole story,” he said. “But Spain, they are just so tactically sound. When they press you, if they don’t win the ball, they’re going to win the second ball. They put guys under pressure.”

Many South American fans rooted against the Argentines.

“I wanted anyone but Argentina to win this year,” said Velasquez, who supported Colombia.

The most exciting game was England’s 6-4 victory over France in the third-place match.

Southold midfielder Brendan Boyle, who said the cup “definitely beat my expectations,” enjoyed that encounter.

“It probably was the best game we’ve seen all tournament,” he added. “England vs. France was pure football. That was the best football I’ve ever seen. … It wasn’t like the final.”

After England grabbed a 4-0 halftime advantage, France made it interesting in the second half.

“It was just goal after goal after goal,” O’Sullivan said. “It was just incredible to see. Then you see a game [Sunday]. It’s a chess match.”

As for the Brookhaven league, all teams will compete in the playoffs. They will begin on July 29 or Aug. 3, depending on whether league officials want teams to make up a rain date.

Ruggi’s goal is to get the newcomers and veterans to mesh together on Southold (0-5).

“Trying to get them to trust the process and younger guys getting experience that’s really valuable,” he said.

O’Sullivan is examining various formations for Mattituck (2-3).

“We’re trying to pick one or two that we’re focusing on,” he said. “We had a freshman [Aaron Ortiz] who’s only played center back, and he played striker for a couple minutes. It’s an opportunity for us to see them in game action in different positions, whether they play JV or varsity. It’s a chance for them to see our plans and our culture. They’re buying in.”