Long Island's new soccer team signs 16-year-old star Dylan Lopez
Dylan Lopez can kick it with the pros.
Long Island's newest soccer team, the Fighting Tomcats, has signed the 16-year-old, a soon-to-be Connetquot High School senior varsity star, as the start-up squad's youngest player.
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'They're obviously much older than me,' Lopez told The Post minutes after inking his deal with the National Premier Soccer League squad that calls Hofstra University home.
'I think just playing with them in this environment is really going to push me and just get used to a higher level,' added the midfielder, who dreams of taking his talents to Spain one day.
The Ronkonkoma native's deep desire is exactly what the club's owner — Massapequa soccer legend Jim Kilmeade, the brother of Fox News host Brian Kilmeade, who is also an investor — is shooting for with the new team of 30 that's almost entirely local.
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'We believe that we can identify and launch players into European careers,' Jim said, adding that the Tomcats are also developing a free youth academy on Long Island.
Lopez gets the best of both worlds with his deal that has no compensation.
Playing with the Tomcats, formally called the American Soccer Club, won't prohibit him from playing with his competitive Atlantic United travel team, or Connetquot next fall.
Long Island's newest soccer team, the Fighting Tomcats, has signed 16-year-old Dylan Lopez.
Photo courtesy of Dylan Lopez
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'When you live on Long Island, you don't really get opportunities like these,' Lopez said. 'It's usually those people in Europe that get these chances.'
Now, the teen being recruited by Sacred Heart University has the chance to show what he's made of on a grander stage.
The moment is a dream come true for his mom and twin brother, Brandon, with whom Lopez has played his entire life.
'He's always been there,' Lopez said of his sibling, who is one minute younger. 'Every time we're on the field, it's always a competition between us. And we just keep pushing each other — going back and forth. It's really helped me … and he's super excited for me.'
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Fox News host Brian Kilmeade (left) and his brother Jim have launched a new semi-professional soccer club on Long Island nicknamed the 'Fighting Tomcats.'
Dennis A. Clark
Bragging rights among family — and friends — are full-time for the food runner at Stella Trattoria in Blue Point, who had to call out of work when he got the good news.
'They're all going to be shocked,' Lopez said. 'It's going to be a good senior year.'
Put your best foot forward as the sun is finally expected to shine this weekend, with two 5K runs that go for great causes.
The 'Hope Is Here' run, which raises money for parental mental health awareness, kicks off at 9 a.m. Saturday at First Responders Memorial Park and Ball Field in Islandia, with a registration fee of $45.
The Sayville Fire Department is also hosting its annual 5K at the same time, with a registration fee of $40, starting at the town's firehouse.
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