Originally formed under the name City Arsenal, in 2002 as a part of the Jersey City Soccer Association (JCSA), the team played its first travel league matches in the spring 2003 in the U9 age group of the Metro YSL. The team colors were Black and Orange and its crest contained a large subdued letter “A" with a castle and cannon in the back drop. Though the first season was a dismal disappointment for the young “Gunners” as they were called winning only one of ten matches played Coach Ali and the dedicated parents refused to give up and made sure that they kept their young team together. The hard work and dedication of the coaches and parents proved to be worth while as the young Arsenal team returned to the Metro YSL rejuvenated for the start of the fall season in the U10 age groupings.

 

Riding the wave of tremendous success in the JCSA City league the Gunners ran though the U10 travel standings losing only once and drawing once during the first ten matches of the season. The spring season turned out to be even better as the young Arsenal squad won their first Metro YSL championship losing only twice in thirty-six matches played, including City and Travel together. September 2004 marked the beginning of a new season for the City Arsenal and presented the team and its coach, Daniel Ali with some new challenges as well. In accords with USYSA regulations all divisions U10 and below play small side matches in an 8v8 format. The City Arsenal was now to register for U11 play which required full sided teams in the 11v11 format. However, the increasing level of competition and the loss of a few players because of relocation left Coach Ali with only seven players available for selection; not enough to field a team. After talks with other clubs, including the Jersey City based Hans Solis SC, coach Ali found an opening in the Hoboken SA where the U11 coach, Jerry Norton was in need a few players to fill out his own squad. The two teams combined under the banner of the Hoboken SA, the name Arsenal was replaced with Galacticos in recognition of the unification of the best players from both cities and the Galacticos era began.

 

The union of Jersey City and Hoboken proved to be a successful one as the new Galacticos were crowned league runners up in the fall session. Unfortunately controversy surrounded the squad once again when just two weeks before the spring season was to begin, Hoboken SA president, Leo Pelligrini decided not to reregister the successful dual city squad claiming there were not enough Hoboken based players in the line up. Pelligrini offered the Hoboken based players the opportunity to play in an indoor league until the following fall when he would help fill out the squad with fresh players from the city of Hoboken. Faced with the news that they would be without a place to play Coach Ali and his Jersey City footballers were left with little hope at all. Dissatisfied with the explanation or Mr. Pelligrini and unwilling to abandon their Jersey City team mates and the success that was building, the parents, players and coaches held a team meeting and decided to keep the Galacticos together. The decision was made to move the group back to Jersey City and continue as members of the JCSA. The team was registered with the JCSA and continued their success winning their second Metro YSL championship the spring 2005. With a line up filled with talented players including: Champion Smith, Tom Norton, Sharrieff Toninho Ali, Daniel Brown, Jalen Carter, Zack Sodki, Cedric Mondji and Willie Romero the team went on to win their third Metro YSL this time as a U12 squad playing in the U13 age bracket recording no loses to any of the U12 teams in the division. By September 2006 the Galacticos were suffering on and off the pitch. Long time coaches and supporters Jerry Norton and Jay Whittier had been left the team for personal reasons. Tom Norton transferred to Match Fit. Jacinto Saenz and Willie Romero returned to Hoboken SA. Champion Smith and Jalen Carter retired from youth soccer all together leaving the team with little to work with. Working alone without an assistant or a support staff Coach Ali and his squad led by Zack Sodki and Sharrieff Toninho Ali came out every week and faced heartbreaking defeats against teams who were older, stronger and better supported. Despite the odds against them the team never quit.

 

By the middle of the season they were suffering from a player shortage and were forced to play a man sometimes two men down every week yet they continued to play and play with heart, honor and a true love for the game. By the time the winter break 2006-2007 came along it had become painfully obvious to Coach Ali that he was faced with the very real possibility that he would have to abandon the dream of building a club where young people in Jersey City of all cultures, nationalities, ethnic backgrounds and colors could learn and enjoy the beautiful game in a family style environment. Regardless to the situation, Coach Ali registered his team with the few players he had and got ready for the spring 2007 season. His faith and belief in his mission and the hard work he had put in began to bear fruits. Through Zack Sodki, Ousmane Traore signed with the Galacticos and within a few months after that his connection to Coach and friend Ahmed Hassanein led him to sign Mohamed and Makeh Wally, Theo Sanoh and Renaldo Lecrete. These five players fueled the rebirth and turn around for the Galacticos as a team and put them back on the patch to independence as a youth travel soccer club. The spring season marked a great improvement for the team on the pitch. The addition of the Wally brothers, and Traore in the midfield added stability to the squad again. Theo Sanoh and Renaldo Lecrete anchored the defense and the Galacticos began to claw out a couple of hard fought draws and some wins as well. Toninho sprang to life with the new found midfield support and the goals began to flow again bringing that smile back to his face. The summer of 2007 brought new signings with Victor Cedeno, Ramon Scott, Cesar Arias, Jose Aquino, and keeper Edwin Islas.

 

In September 2008 the Galacticos upset the order of the Metro YSL with their hard driving attacking play. The key signing of Kevin Camacho and a couple of others in the winter balanced the squad defensively and by June 2009 the Galacticos were Metro YSL champions for the fourth time. In September 2009 Coach Ali with a staff of assistant coaches and supporters including Ahmed Hassanein, Franlyn Rosado, Ernesto Carles, Dwayne Smith and Godfrey Chambers officially separated from the JCSA and established City International Football Academy(CIFA) as an independent 501 C (3) youth travel league soccer club registered and recognized by USYSA (United State Youth Soccer Association), NJYSA (New Jersey Youth Soccer Association) and is currently affiliated with both MAPS (Mid-Atlantic Premier Soccer) and MYSL (Metro Youth Soccer League). CIFA currently consists of two teams playing in the U16 and U17 age groupings. It is the hope and aim of the club officials to add teams in the U14, U15 age brackets within the next twelve months. In 2010 the Galacticos will compete in the Metro YSL Premier and Elite divisions, the NJ State Cup and the Disney International Cup Tournament held in Orlando Florida during July 11-17. In October the team will also compete in the co-sponsored Brooklyn Italians- Puma Columbus Day Tournament and in the 2011 MAPS College Showcase. Smaller tournaments include the DUSC annual Thanksgiving Cup held in November 2010 and the LUYSL New York City Cup.