Champions Crowned at US Youth Soccer National Championships
After a year-long journey to the US Youth Soccer National Championships, champions were crowned in Texas as top youth teams from across the country competed during a weekend of soccer action.
The National Champions emerged on top in the tournament, which featured US Youth Soccer Regional Champions in the U13 through U19/20 Boys and Girls age groups, as well as the US Youth Soccer National League qualifiers in the U15 through U19/20 Boys and Girls age groups to complete the field of 96 teams.
Youth Soccer News: Champions were crowned Sunday at the 2017 US Youth Soccer National Championships at the Toyota Soccer Center in Frisco, Texas. The country’s top teams in the U15 through U19/20 Boys and Girls age groups met to conclude the final stage of the 2017 US Youth Soccer National Championship Series. Sunday’s final matchups featured teams who earned the right to play for their respective National titles through success in group play and victories in their semifinal games.
2017 US Youth Soccer National Champions
U13 Girls San Diego Surf (CA-S)
U13 Boys St. Louis Scott Gallagher Pre Academy 04 (MO)
U14 Girls LVPSA 03 Red (NV)
U14 Boys USA/MP 2003 Premier (SC)
U15 Girls Nationals Union 02 Black (MI)
U15 Boys Solar Chelsea Red 02 Stricker (TX-N)
U16 Girls Nationals Union 01 Black (MI)
U16 Boys Tampa Bay United (FL)
U17 Girls CUP 00 Gold (OH-S)
U17 Boys Baltimore Celtic SC 2000 (MD)
U18 Girls TSC Showcase (TN)
U18 Boys BRYC 99 Elite (VA)
U19/20 Girls 98 CR Academy (NC)
U19/20 Boys Challenger Crew Jrs Gold 98 (OH-N)
Nationals Union (MI) was the lone club to capture two National Championships, as its U15 Girls and U16 Girls sides lifted trophies on Sunday. The victories marked the third straight National title for several players on both teams who were members of the back-to-back champion PSG MI Gators 02 Orange (MI) in 2015 and 2016.
Nationals Union coach Jeremy Harkins said he was thrilled to have both teams who earned the chance to enjoy winning National Championships this year in Frisco.
“It’s incredible. It’s something you would dream of in the beginning of the season, but very rarely is it a reality,” said Harkins about having two champion teams. “We’re very excited and proud of the girls. It’s so rare to get one. Most players — the best players in the world — will go their entire careers and not get one championship. For those players to get three is as close to a miracle as you can find.”
While Nationals Union defended its title, U17 Girls CUP 00 Gold (OH-S) defeated 2016 National Champion Midwest United FC 00 Royal (MI) in penalty kicks for an overall 1-0 victory. As the final game served as a rematch of the 2016 National Championship match, this was a familiar yet tough matchup for the two sides.
“It was two fantastic teams — the two teams who have met in the final the last two years,” said CUP coach Bobby Puppione. “Hats off to Midwest for a fantastic performance and year. We got them this year. What an amazing performance from our girls.”
Photo Credit: US Youth Soccer