Leo Guarino

Last updated
Leo Guarino
Personal information
Full name Eligio "Leo" Guarino
Date of birth (2003-05-23) May 23, 2003 (age 22)
Place of birth Long Island, New York, United States
Height 1.75 m (5 ft 9 in)
Position Midfielder
Team information
Current team
New York Cosmos
Number 7
Youth career
2015–2017 New York Red Bulls
2017–2020 New York City FC
2020–2021 New York Cosmos
2021 Queensboro FC
College career
YearsTeamApps(Gls)
2021–2023 Wake Forest Demon Deacons 49 (10)
2024 Boston College Eagles 17 (1)
Senior career*
YearsTeamApps(Gls)
2020 New York Cosmos 0 (0)
2023-2024 Long Island Rough Riders 2 (0)
2025 New York City FC II 22 (4)
2026– New York Cosmos 0 (0)
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of October 31, 2025

Eligio "Leo" Guarino (born May 23, 2003) is an American professional soccer player who plays as an attacking midfielder for New York Cosmos in the USL League One.

Contents

Career

Youth, college and amateur

Guarino, who is of Italian descent, grew up in East Rockaway, New York. He was initially a part of the New York Red Bulls academy system, before going across the river to join New York City FC's academy in 2017. [1] After three years there, including captaining the U17 squad and being the top scorer at the 2019–20 Generation Adidas Cup, Guarino joined the New York Cosmos academy in 2020, and was an unused substitute in 1 NISA game for them. [2]

Guarino then briefly spent time with Queensboro FC's academy in USL Academy in 2021, before enrolling to play at Wake Forest in 2021. [3] [4] Across three years at the school, Guarino played in 49 matches, scoring 10 goals and adding 2 assists. He then transferred to Boston College for his senior year in 2024, scoring 1 goal and adding 3 assists in 17 matches, starting in 12. [5]

During his time in college, Guarino spent the summers of 2023 and 2024 with Long Island Rough Riders in USL League Two, but only made 2 appearance during the two seasons. [6]

Professional

New York City FC II

Guarino signed his first professional contract with New York City FC II ahead of the 2025 MLS Next Pro season. On April 24, 2025, he scored his first goal for the club in a 4–1 loss to Philadelphia Union II. [7] On July 16, 2025, Guarino scored the only goal in a 1–0 victory over Toronto FC II. [8] On July 20, 2025, Guarino scored the second goal of the match for NYCFCII in a 4–2 derby loss to New York Red Bulls II. [9] On August 22, 2025, he opened the scoring for New York in a 3–1 victory over Columbus Crew 2. [10] Guarino went on to play in 22 games, with 4 goals and 1 assist from 9 starts. He split time between playing as a striker and on the left wing.

New York Cosmos

On February 14, 2026, Guarino joined USL League One side New York Cosmos ahead of their return to professional competition. He became the first former academy product to sign with the club. [11]

Career statistics

As of match played 24 December 2025
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubSeasonLeagueNational cupLeague cupOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
New York Cosmos 2020 NISA 0000000000
Long Island Rough Riders 2023 USL League Two 10000010
2024 USL League Two10000010
Total2000000020
New York City FC II 2025 MLS Next Pro 224000000224
New York Cosmos 2026 USL League One 0000000000
Career total244000000244

    References

    1. "Deacon Sportlight: Leo Guarino". wfuogb.com.
    2. "East Rockaway High School senior joins Cosmos Soccer Club". liherald.com.
    3. "Queensboro Football club announces first academy players". qns.com.
    4. "Queensboro FC Opens Pathway to Europe Before Inaugural Season". usl-academy.com.
    5. "Men's Soccer Adds 12 Players to Roster Ahead of 2024 Season". bceagles.com.
    6. "Leo Guarino USL2". uslleaguetwo.com.
    7. "New York City FC II 1–4 Philadelphia Union II".
    8. "New York City FC II 1-0 Toronto FC II".
    9. "New York Red Bulls II Defeat NYCFC II 4-2 at MSU Soccer Park on Sunday Night".
    10. "New York City FC II 3–1 Columbus Crew 2".
    11. "RETURN ENGAGEMENT: Former Academy player Guarino signs with Cosmos".