But getting all those styles together on the same page can be a challenge and a half. "It's definitely hard initially, but if you overcome it, it's something beautiful," Giorgi went on.
And so far, so very good for the young club.
Esqueche, 26, a former professional player for Metropolitanos FC in his native Venezuela, pulls the strings. Starting his pro career at 16, Esqueche decided to pursue coaching when he emigrated to the U.S..
And don’t let his tender age fool you. Esqueche knows the game.
"I'm not surprised," he said about Oyster Bay's success, "because I know that our goals as a new team were big goals. We worked for it. Since day one, we kept developing our identity as a team.”
Three Sessions a Week
He’s been a stickler on preparation and training. Esqueche holds three practices on weeknights prior to weekend matches – a grind for a team comprised of players with day-jobs
"Good results are the consequence of good preparation during the week," he said. "We keep building good performances during the preseason. That's what gives the team the confidence to face those challenges."
Colacioppo, unsurprisingly, has been impressed with Esqueche.
"The players respect someone who played at a high level and has serious game experience," he said. "He is serious on the pitch. He's a younger guy for a coach, but definitely has a lot of soccer knowledge. They've really banded together well under him."
If Oyster Bay gets past Hartford City, they will play Hartford Athletic of the USL Championship – the U.S.’ second professional tier just below Major League Soccer (MLS).
"Every step that we're making is big," Esqueche said. "Every step is a new opportunity because we have more doors to open. It gives these players their first experience of showing themselves against some professional clubs.
"That's one of the biggest goals, having a club that can compete and that can provide players to the professional level,” added Esqueche. “This is a huge opportunity.”
Just How Far for Oyster Bay?
"If we can keep going, that will be an amazing opportunity," said Esqueche.
Colacioppo and Giorgi are just as hopeful.
"Now that we're in the tournament proper, we'd like to make some more noise," Colacioppo said.
“We want to make a statement,” Giorgi said. “We don't only want to win. Obviously, we got to take it one game at a time, but our eyes are on that second, third round. We want to be up there with the big boys. We're focused, we're determined.”
