Finalists Determined at 2006 US Youth Soccer National Championships

DES MOINES, Iowa (July 28, 2006) – Today the field of 48 has been narrowed from the top four to the top two teams in each age group. These 24 teams are now one game away from realizing their dream of becoming a national champion. The play at the James W. Cownie Soccer Park in Des Moines, Iowa was second to none as teams completed their preliminary round play to determine the championship finals on Sunday beginning at 8:00 AM CDT.

Two teams entered the championships with a shot at their third consecutive national championship in as many years. The Arsenal FC Under-17 boys’ chances remain but the Eclipse Select Under-18 girls, who went to a shootout to determine the match-up for Sunday, fell short.

Arsenal FC (CA-S) boys won their third round match 3:0 over Scott Gallagher from Missouri. Arsenal will meet Solar 89 SC (N-TX) to determine the national champion for the third consecutive year. Should Arsenal be successful they will be the first boys’ team to win three national titles in a row.

Solar 89 SC advanced on a 1:1 tie with Bethesda United (MD). Goal scorers were Solar 89's Scott Wisniewski (58:00) and Bethesda United's Kyle Albrecht (21:00).

The Under-18 Girls PDA Wildcats (NJ) knew they were playing Sunday and thought they would know who they would face at the end of today’s regulations play. The matches ended with PDA over Eclipse (2:1) and the Dallas Texans 88 Red North over San Diego Surf (CA-S) with a score of 3:1 thanks to a come from behind effort. Based on the day’s results, a shootout was needed to determine the advancing team between Eclipse Select and Dallas Texans 88 Red North because the team’s standings were all tied (1-1-1, as well as a tie in the goals for and against columns).

In the shootout, the Texan’s keeper, Colleen Pitts, proved to be too much. The Texans had one shot hit the post and go in where the Eclipse, who also had a shot hit the post, had one hit and deflect out of the goal. The 4:2 final in kicks placed the Texans in the finals and the Eclipse just short on taking another step towards history.

“It is unexplainable pressure,” said Dallas Texan goal keeper Colleen Pitts who was in goal. “I have no words to explain this. It’s all about picking the right place and getting a little lucky.” Pitts’ biggest fan was her mother who passed away two years ago, “She was one of my biggest supporters and here with me today.”

The Dallas Texans will meet PDA Wildcats (NJ) at 8:45 AM on Sunday.

Under-14 Girls
Leading in the points going in ISC Strikers confirmed their reservation on Sunday with a 2:0 win over the Michigan Hawks (MI). ISC will play Hershey Attack (E-PA) who also won their match against Dallas Texans 92 (N-TX) 2:1. ISC Strikers edged Hershey 1:0 in their meeting earlier this week.

Under-15 Girls
Crossfire Premier 90 (WA) played to a tie (2:2) against Dallas Texans (N-TX). Crossfire's Caroline Whiting scored in the 2nd minute for the early lead. It wasn't until the 53rd minute that the Texans Alina Garciamendez and Courtney Heimlich made the most of an opportunity to score in the 55th. In stoppage time Crossfire's Lucretia Lee scored for the tie. 

PDA Pride (NJ) defeated Eclipse Select 1:0 thanks to a goal from Caitlin Conway (53:00). These two teams will meet after tomorrow’s day of rest to determine the Under-15 champion at 1:15 PM.

Under-16 Girls
Edmond SC 90 Black (OK) took on the Internationals (OH-N) who scored early with a Paige Maxwell shot in the 9^th. An own goal tied the score and Edmond’s Carlin Gibbs slotted the game winner in the 70^th to place her side in the final.

In the other match-up, Real Colorado National faced FC Greater Boston Bolts (MA). Colorado was too much for the Bolts thanks to goals from Bethany West (32:00), Chelsea Stewart (57:00) and Janea Deas (64:00). Colorado and Edmond play Sunday at 8:30 AM.

Under-17 Girls
The two teams, Eclipse Select (IL) and Spirit United Gaels (E-PA), tied through two rounds of play will meet in the finals to decide who will be crowned champion. Eclipse beat the 2004 national champion Mustang Blast (CA-N) 3:1.

Spirit United fought back late in their match against the Dallas Texans 89 Red (N-TX) to tie the match. The Gaels hit first in the third and were down two after goals from Brittaney Libham (52:00) and Rachel Shipley (73:00) of the Eclipse. Scoring her second for the game for the Gaels, Nicole King tied the score in the 76^th.

Under-19 Girls
Eclipse Select (IL) loss today to Sting Dallas Royal 87 (N-TX) 1:0. It was the Sting’s Kirsten Moran scoring the lone goal in the win (23:00).

Three goals were scored in the Colorado Rush Nike versus Chantilly Inter Milan (VA) match and all were from the Rush. Ameera Abdullah scored in the 7^th, Meghan Smith in the 14^th and Kerstyn Farrell in the 85^th. The Rush will meet Eclipse Select at 12:45 PM Sunday to determine the champions.

Under-14 Boys
The Under-14 Dallas Texans Red is one of three Dallas Texans teams advancing to Sunday’s finals. They beat the Michigan Wolves 1:0 today. Aarron Reifschneider, of the Dallas Texans Red, is the MVP of the team according to their trainer, Bob Lueke. Reifschneider said, “This is incredible, today we had more heart and wanted it more.” He continued to say that,”this is one of the biggest tournaments in the world and it would be incredible to win.” 

The Texans will face Valley United Blast (CA-S) who defeated the Bethesda Road Runners (MD) 3:2 to advance. Bethesda came out fast with Jeff Juarez scoring in the 4^th minute. Valley United Blast’s Eduardo Gonzalez scored in the 29^th to tie the game before halftime. Fabio Cardenas (MD) scored in the 52^nd and United Blast ended the game with Edgar Ramirez scoring in the 61^st and Dillon Short scoring in the 70^th.

Under-15 Boys
The So Cal United Under-15 boys beat Tulsa Soccer Club 2:0. Tyler Lunde scored in the 16^th and Chris Cummings scored in the 80^th. The thing that So Cal Head Coach Alberto Bru likes most about his team is that they are respectful, “They listen to me and their parents and they respect their opponents.”

FC Delco Hammerheads (E. PA) Under-15 Boys picked up their second win of the tournament today against the Chicago Magic (IL). Delco’s Daniel Dilullo (22:00), Gregory Robbins (60:00) and Jordan LeBlanc (88:00) scored to take the 3:0 win. The Hammerheads will advance to the finals to play the defending US Youth Soccer National Champions So Cal United at noon. FC Delco Hammerheads lost to the So Cal United in preliminary play.

Under-16 Boys
Baltimore Casa Mia Bays (MD) have secured their spot in the Under-16 boys’ finals with the win today against LA Rampage FC (CA-S) with a score of 3:0. Another Bays team won two championships in 2003 and 2004. This group of boys has only been together for nine months and look to add another title to their clubs trophy case. After making a couple of substitutions to bring in extra energy and pressure, the Bays scored three goals in eight minutes (Andrew Bulls - 29:00, Christian Barreiro - 31:00, Michael Rose - 35:00).

Scoring started early and kept on going in the Under-16 Boys Concorde Fire Elite (GA) and FC Milwaukee (WI) match. Concorde Fire Elite’s Eduardo Gonzalez scored first in the 5^th minute and went on to score again in the 25^th. FC Milwaukee kept pace with Brice Carr scoring in the 8^th and Ethan Finlay finding the back of the net in the 34^th. Concorde Fire Elite had an own goal in the 44^th and lost the lead, but managed to recover to win with the help of Riley Sumpter (57:00) and Connor Barbaree (65:00). The Concorde Fire Elite won (4:3) and will be playing the Baltimore Casa Mia Bays in the final at 10:15 AM.

Under-18 Boys
Thanks to some late scoring, the Dallas Texans 88 Red and FC Delco Crunch (E-PA) match tied at 2:2. Joshua Bienenfeld (64:00) and Eamon O’Neill (75:00) scored for the FC Delco Crunch, seemingly securing their spot in the finals. Then the Dallas Texans heated up in the last 10 minutes and Andrew Akpan (83:00) and Stephen McCarthy (88:00) scored to tie. The Texans took the tie and the point in the standings to advance and get their shot at defending the 2005 national crown.

Chicago Magic will also be advancing to Sunday thanks to a tie. The Classic FC Bandoleros’s Christopher Machin scored right before halftime in the 39^th to take the lead. Chicago Magic answered in the 56^th when Mark Zeman found the back of the net to tie. The Magic were able to hold on form there.

Under-19 Boys
Javanon (KY) and Arsenal FC (CA-S) are both making a run at the James P. McGuire Cup on Sunday. Today, Javanon won their second preliminary game against Weston FC (FL) 3:2. The big scorer was Javanon’s Darren Yeagle with two goals (3:00) (52:00). Tommy Clines (KY) also scored in the 27^th. Weston made a move to come back towards the end with Felipe Castrillon and Emanuel Chacon scoring in the 67^th and 76^th respectively, but it was too late.

Arsenal FC (CA-S) and FC Delco Black IV (E.-PA) tied 1:1. Omar Persad (CA) scored early in the 10^th minute and FC Delco Black IV’s Michael McKee scored in the 35^th to knot the game before half. Arsenal was able to hold on to the tie during the second half and advance.

The 2006 US Youth Soccer National Championship Series is the country’s most prestigious national youth soccer tournament, providing over 185,000 players on more than 10,000 teams from US Youth Soccer’s 55 state associations the opportunity to showcase their soccer skills against the best competition in the nation while emphasizing teamwork, discipline and fair play.

2006 marks the 30^th anniversary of the under-16 boys D.J. Niotis Cup and 15^th Anniversary of the under-17 girls Laura Moynihan Cup. The James P. McGuire Cup is the oldest trophy in youth sport dating back to 1935 with the inaugural youth championships. The under-19 boys age group as the National Champion will hoist the McGuire Cup. This is the 71^st anniversary of the storied cup.

Annually the US Youth Soccer National Championship Series provides the nation’s top collegiate coaches with the premier stage to identify and scout the most coveted players in the country. In 2005, over 500 coaches attended the US Youth Soccer Regional Championships including the majority of the top 25 men’s and women’s programs based on the final 2005 NSCAA/adidas National Rankings for NCAA Division I schools.

On Friday, August 11th, The US Youth Soccer National Championships Highlight Show, presented by adidas will air on the Fox Soccer Channel, US Youth Soccer's official television partner, at 8:00 PM ET. The two-hour show will highlight the national championships providing feature stories, interviews, game highlights and much, much more. In addition to The US Youth Soccer National Championships Show, FC Fox will also highlight the 2006 US Youth Soccer National Championships. FC Fox airs Fridays at 7:30 PM ET.

US Youth Soccer National Championships
Day 3 Results – Preliminary Matches

Under-14 Boys
Bethesda Road Runners (MD) 2, Valley United Blast (CA-S) 3
Goal Scorers: Bethesda Road Runners – Jeff Jurarez (4:00), Fabio Cardenas (52:00), Valley United Blast – Eduardo Gonzalez (29:00), Edgar Ramirez (61:00), Dillon Short (70:00)
Shots: 8/19
Corner Kicks: 1/8
Fouls: 8/12

Dallas Texans Red (N. TX) 1, Michigan Wolves (MI) 0
Goal Scorers: Conor Doyle (5:00)
Shots: 3/13
Corner Kicks: 0/6
Fouls: 11/11

Under-14 Girls
ISC Strikers (CA-S) 2, Michigan Hawks (MI) 0
Goal Scorers: ISC Strikers – Natalie Ohishi (28:00), Carly McLaughlin (47:00)
Shots: 9/6
Corner Kicks: 2/3
Fouls: 10/8

Hershey Attack (E. PA) 2, Dallas Texans 93 (N. TX) 1
Goal Scorers: Hershey Attack – Alyssa Grell (21:00), Kerri Martin (58:00), Dallas Texans 93 – Shelby Redman (69:00)
Shots: 5/18
Corner Kicks: 0/4
Fouls: 6/8

Under-15 Boys
FC DELCO Hammerheads (E. PA) 3, Chicago Magic (IL) 0
Goal Scorers: FC DELCO Hammerheads – Daniel Dilullo (22:00), Gregory Robbins (60:00), Jordan LeBlanc (88:00)
Shots: 11/5
Corner Kicks: 2/0
Fouls: 13/14

Tulsa Soccer Club (OK) 0, So Cal United (CA-S) 2
Goal Scorers: So Cal United – Tyler Lunde (16:00), Chris Cummings (80:00)
Shots: 3/16
Corner Kicks: 8/3
Fouls: 14/14

Under-15 Girls
Eclipse Select (IL) 0, PDA Pride (NJ) 1
Goal Scorers: PDA Pride – Caitlin Conway (53:00)
Shots: 1/9
Corner Kicks: 0/2
Fouls: 4/5

Crossfire Premier 90 Lombard (WA) 2, Dallas Texans (N. TX) 2
Goal Scorers: Crossfire Premier 90 Lombard – Caroline Whiting (2:00), Lucretia Lee (80:00); Dallas Texans – Alina Garciamendez (53:00), Courtney Heimlich (55:00)
Shots: 8/10
Corner Kicks: 2/6
Fouls: 13/19

Under-16 Boys
Concorde Fire Elite (GA) 4, FC Milwaukee (WI) 3
Goal Scorers: Concorde Fire Elite – Eduardo Gonzalez (5:00) (25:00), Riley Sumpter (57:00), Connor Barbaree (65:00), FC Milwaukee – Brice Carr (8:00), Ethan Finlay (34:00), OG (44:00)
Shots: n/a
Corner Kicks: n/a
Fouls: n/a

Rampage FC (CA-S) 0, Baltimore Casa Mia Bays (MD) 3
Goal Scorers: Andrew Bulls (29:00), Christian Barreiro (31:00), Michael Rose (35:00)
Shots: n/a
Corner Kicks: n/a
Fouls: n/a

Under-16 Girls
FC Greater Boston Bolts (MA) 0, Real Colorado National (CO) 3
Goal Scorers: Real Colorado National – Bethany West (32:00), Chelsea Stewart (57:00), Janae Deas (64:00)
Shots: 9/8
Corner Kicks: 3/1
Fouls: 4/4

Internationals (OH-N) 1, Edmond SC 90 Black (OK) 2
Goal Scorers: Internationals – Paige Maxwell (9:00), Edmond SC 90 Black – OG (68:00), Carlin Gibbs (70:00)
Shots: 6/14
Corner Kicks: 5/5
Fouls: 12/12

Under-17 Boys
Scott Gallagher (MO) 0, Arsenal FC (CA-S) 3
Goal Scorers: Arsenal FC – Cesar Macias (10:00), Gerson Mayen (60:00) Rafael Garcia (83:00)
Shots: 18/11
Corner Kicks: 1/2
Fouls: 8/8

Solar 89 (N. TX) 1, Bethesda United (MD) 1
Goal Scorers: Solar 89 – Scott Wisniewski (58:00), Bethesda United – Kyle Albrecht (21:00)
Shots: 8/4
Corner Kicks: 3/2
Fouls: 7/18

Under-17 Girls
Eclipse Select (IL) 3, Mustang Blast (CA-N) 1
Goal Scorers: Eclipse Select – Nicole Staton (26:00), Nicole Russel (38:00), Brittany Johnson (49:00), Mustang Blast – Michaela DeJesus (66:00)
Shots:11/9
Corner Kicks: 3/1
Fouls: 7/12

Dallas Texans 89 Red (N. TX) 2, Spirit United Gaels (E. PA) 2
Goal Scorers: Dallas Texans 89 – Brittaney Libham (52:00), Rachel Shipley (73:00), Spirit United Gaels – Nicole King (3:00) (76:00)
Shots: 11/9
Corner Kicks: 5/2
Fouls: 10/17

Under-18 Boys
FC DELCO Crunch (E. PA) 2, Dallas Texans 88 Red (N. TX) 2
Goal Scorers: FC DELCO Crunch – Joshua Bienenfeld (64:00), Eamon O’Neill (75:00), Dallas Texans 88 Red – Andrew Akpan (83:00), Stephen McCarthy (88:00)
Shots: 15/6
Corner Kicks: 6/5
Fouls: 16/11

Chicago Magic (IL) 1, Classic FC Bandoleros (NM) 1
Goal Scorers: Chicago Magic – Mark Zeman (56:00), Classic FC Bandoleros – Christopher Machin (39:00)
Shots: 9/3
Corner Kicks: 3/2
Fouls: 15/8

Under-18 Girls
Dallas Texans 88 Red North (N. TX) 3, San Diego Surf (CA-S) 1
Goal Scorers: Dallas Texans 88 Red North – Madeline Washington (82:00), Michelle Nguyen (85:00), Loren Marshall (90:00), San Diego Surf – Krista Liskevych (21:00)
Shots: 9/19
Corner Kicks: 4/5
Fouls: 9/7

PDA Wildcats (NJ) 2, Eclipse Select (IL) 1
Goal Scorers: PDA Wildcats – Jen Anzivino (25:00), Jessica Fuccello (55:00), Eclipse Select – Brittany McCoy (66:00)
Shots: 10/2
Corner Kicks: 0/7
Fouls: 11/14

Under-19 Boys
FC DELCO Black IV (E. PA) 1, Arsenal FC (CA-S) 1
Goal Scorers: FC DELCO Black IV – Michael McKee (35:00), Arsenal FC – Omar Persad (10:00)
Shots: 25/11
Corner Kicks: 3/3
Fouls: 10/13

Javanon (KY) 3, Weston FC (FL) 2
Goal Scorers: Javanon – Darren Yeagle (3:00) (52:00), Tommy Clines (27:00), Weston FC – Felipe Castrillon (67:00)
Shots: 7/14
Corner Kicks: 7/2
Fouls: 14/12

Under-19 Girls
Chantilly Inter Milan (VA) 0, Colorado Rush Nike (CO) 3
Goal Scorers: Colorado Rush Nike – Ameera Abdullah (7:00), Meghan Smith (14:00), Kerstyn Farrell (85:00)
Shots: 13/17
Corner Kicks: 1/2
Fouls: 8/8

Sting Dallas Royal 87 (N. TX) 1, Eclipse Select (IL) 0
Goal Scorers: Sting Dallas Royal 87 – Kirsten Moran (23:00)
Shots: 5/19
Corner Kicks: 4/4
Fouls: 4/8

Sunday, July 30, US Youth Soccer National Championship Finals

Under-14 Boys
Dallas Texans (N-TX) vs. Valley United Blast (CA-S) @ 8:00 AM

Under-14 Girls
ISC Strikers (CA-S) vs. Hershey Attack (E-PA) @ 10:00 AM

Under-15 Boys
So Cal United (CA-S) vs. FC Delco Hammerheads (E-PA) @ 12:00 PM

Under-15 Girls
Eclipse Select (IL) vs. PDA Pride (NJ) @ 1:15 PM

Under-16 Boys
Baltimore Casa Mia Bays (MD) vs. Concorde Fire Elite (GA) @ 10:15 AM

Under-16 Girls
Real Colorado National (CO) vs. Edmond SC (OK) @ 8:30 AM

Under-17 Boys
Arsenal FC (CA-S) vs. Solar 89 SC (N-TX) @ 8:00 AM

Under-17 Girls
Eclipse Select (IL) vs. Spirit United Gaels (E-PA) @ 10:30 AM

Under-18 Boys
Chicago Magic (IL) vs. Dallas Texans 88 Red (N-TX) @ 11:00 AM

Under-18 Girls
PDA Wildcats (NJ) vs. Dallas Texans 88 Red North (N-TX) @ 8:45 AM

Under-19 Boys
Arsenal FC (CA-S) vs. Javanon (KY) @ 12:15 PM

Under-19 Girls
Eclipse Select (IL) vs. Colorado Rush Nike (CO) @ 12:45 PM