Boys complete thrilling weekend at NL Quarterfinals in Arizona

Teams will compete for berths to Nationals at National League Semifinals

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MESA, Ariz. (Dec. 9, 2024) — Four exciting days of action at the USYS National League Quarterfinals in Mesa, Ariz., saw 116 boys teams earn their place in the next stage of national events — the National League Semifinals.

The latest boys’ quarterfinal took place Dec. 6-9 and included teams primarily from the National League Conferences and the Elite 64 Regional League. Teams competed in group play, with the groups designated as part of either a red or blue pathway.

Teams that advanced out of red groups will move on to the first semifinal event in February 2025 in Round Rock, Texas. Teams that advanced out of blue groups will move on to the second semifinal event in May 2025 in Oceanside, Calif. At the semifinals, teams will compete for a chance to qualify for the 2025 USYS National Championships, presented by New York Life.

The long-standing focus of the National League’s team-based format is to allow any team — no matter the club’s size or background — to earn their place in the highest levels of competition based on their play on the field. That’s what 19U Boys side PYSC 07B Orange (NY-E) has done, as it looks to make a name for its club on the national stage.

“I think this is a beautiful environment… We know every game is a tough game, and the players have to show up and fight with everything on the line,” PYSC coach Hamad Sanni said. “We’re from Brooklyn, N.Y. The majority of our kids are black and Hispanic kids from lower income neighborhoods. We’ve really focused on character development over the years, and now we’re coming out and showing our level — that we have real talent at our club.”

The boys teams advancing from the December Quarterfinals to the National League Semifinals come from 35 different USYS State Associations. Illinois led the way with 15 teams that are moving on to the next stage of events, while Florida followed with 11 advancing teams. Michigan and Ohio each have eight teams moving on, and Eastern New York has seven.

All four defending National Champions that competed this weekend in Arizona secured a place in their respective semifinal events. Those teams — The Football Academy NJ 11B Black (NJ), Ponys F.C. 2010 (IL), Aspire FC 09B Black (TX-S) and Utah Celtic 08B E64 Bradley (UT) — each won their quarterfinal group during the action in Mesa.  

With tickets punched to the National League Semifinals, teams can begin to set their sights on securing a berth to the 2025 National Championships. With the competitiveness of the National League, some players know they can’t look too far ahead. “That’s what we want — we want the National Championship,” said MI Stars 2010B midfielder Olen Klumpp. “I think we just need to focus on one step at a time. Every game matters more than the next in our heads.”

NATIONAL LEAGUE SEMIFINAL QUALIFIERS

The following teams have advanced to the National League Semifinals via their performance at the December 2024 Quarterfinals. Team lists are split by location of their semifinal event.

Visit the National League website for more information on its national events, the National League Conferences or the Elite 64 Regional League.