The Merrick resident grew up playing for the Merrick Magic and Merrick Red Storm of the Long Island Junior Soccer League. Highlights included being State Cup champions and Tama Sun Bowl champs.

Matt was selected All-Region, All-State and All-County while at Calhoun High School. His best moments ever on a soccer field was winning the 2005 America East title while playing for the Stony Brook Seawolves.

An interesting tidbit is that Matt wrote a book on youth soccer development which can be found at www.mysoccerguide.com