ORLANDO, Fla. (July 29, 2024) — The 2024 US Youth Soccer National Championships, presented by New York Life, wrapped up on Sunday in Orlando, Fla., as the week ended with National League teams claiming 13 of the 14 National titles.

Among the winners, 16U Boys Utah Celtic was the lone team to repeat as champions after the team won in 2023 as a 15U side.

“To go back-to-back is just surreal,” Utah Celtic forward Brooks Barker said. “The first time, we thought it was hard. This year, we came out and it was three times harder. We had to come back twice, and the glory of winning it twice is just unbelievable.”

The 13 champions from the National League came from eight different USYS State Associations. Florida, Illinois, Michigan, New Jersey, and South Texas each had two teams win championships, while Kansas, Nevada and Utah each had one.

Elite 64 teams secured five National titles, while seven of the National Champions played in Premier 1 Divisions of the conferences, and one team played in a Premier 2 division. The majority of title-winning teams had very strong performances in the regular season, as six finished in first place in their National League division, while five finished in second place.

Eleven of the new USYS National Champions played in National League P.R.O. in 2023-24. Three of those sides won champions pool titles and two won silver pool brackets.

“We went against a lot of good teams and worked really hard,” said Alyssa Carrasco, center back for Las Vegas Surf SC 09G Elite 64 (NV). “It was a great experience. We’ve been working really hard at practice, so it feels great to finally accomplish this.”

The road to the title

Meet the newly crowned USYS National Champions from the National League and see the path each took to lifting the trophy.

Path to Nationals

HTX 12 (TX-S) won the Premier 1 division of the Frontier Conference and secured the title at the Southern Regional Championships to move on to Orlando.

National final key moments

A tight defensive battle against fellow National League side Columbus United 11G Lions (OH) required extra time and penalties to decide a winner. HTX keeper Madison Smith saved one attempt and Caroline Synnott fired the winning penalty inside the left post to give HTX the 13U Girls National Championship.

Path to Nationals

After winning the Premier 1 division of the Mid Atlantic Conference, The Football Academy NJ 11B Black (NJ) traveled to West Virginia and claimed the Eastern Regional Championship.

National final key moments

A strong first half powered The Football Academy to a 3-0 victory against BLFC Premiership 11 (IL) in the championship game. Joel Ahn opened the scoring in the 18th minute, and Mason Cominski doubled the New Jersey side’s advantage just a few minutes later. Alejandro Berrio pushed the advantage to 3-0 just before halftime, and The Football Academy remained organized in the second half to hold on for a clean sheet that secured the National title.

Path to Nationals

Galaxy SC 10G NL (IL) finished fourth in the Premier 1 division of the Midwest Conference, but it showed fine form on the national stage. After advancing to National League P.R.O., the Illinois side won the champions pool in Oceanside to head to Orlando with momentum.

National final key moments

Galaxy broke open a tight championship game against defending champion Columbus United G10 Lions (OH) with three second half goals to secure a 3-0 shutout victory.

After a scoreless first half, Aubrey Guskey gave Galaxy the lead when she held off a pair of defenders to record a 42nd-minute goal. Columbus pushed for an equalizer, but the Illinois side instead managed to double its advantage with a headed goal from Quinn Fahey at the hour mark. Samantha Latawiec added a stunning insurance goal shortly after, as she caught the keeper slightly off her line and perfectly struck a shot from 30 yards out that flew into the back of the net — sealing the 3-0 win.

Path to Nationals

Last year’s National finalists, Ponys FC 2010 (IL) put together a fifth-place finish in the Premier 1 division of the Midwest Conference. In February in Tampa, the team won all three of its games to win the silver pool and secure a spot back at the National Championships.

National final key moments

After coming up just short in 2023, Ponys FC found itself moments away from another runner-up finish at Nationals. However, two stoppage time goals against The Football Academy 2010 Boys Black (NJ) set up a penalty kick shootout that the Illinois side won to claim the 14U Boys title.

TFA appeared to be on its way to the club’s second National title of 2024, as Evan Johnson and Alex Pando each scored in the opening 14 minutes to give the New Jersey side a 2-0 advantage. That scoreline held until the first minute of second-half stoppage time, when Andrew Collins sent a looping header off a long free kick into the net to give Ponys a lifeline.

Ponys won a free kick in the attacking half a couple minutes later on a play that resulted in the TFA keeper being sent off for a second yellow card. The ensuring free kick saw the substitute keeper make an initial save, but Anthony Vega finished the follow-up attempt to level the game and send it to overtime. A scoreless two overtime periods led to penalties, and Edgar Brigido netted the clinching penalty to give Ponys the National title.

Path to Nationals

For the second straight season, Las Vegas Surf SC 09G Elite 64 (NV) put in an impressive regular season to win the Pacific division of Elite 64. On the national event stage, Surf continued its strong play, as it won the champions pool at National League P.R.O. in Oceanside — leaving the National Championship as the final competition to conquer.

National final key moments

Las Vegas Surf overcame an early deficit against MIFC 2009 Girls (FL) by responding with three unanswered goals to claim a 3-1 victory and the 15U Girls National title. The championship game saw MIFC take a 10th-minute lead behind a goal from Vienna Morgan. However, Surf equalized in the 54th minute when a shot from a tight angle deflected off a defender and into the net. The Nevada side took the lead on a long shot from Alondra Rivera in the 77th minute and added a stoppage time goal by Madalynn Smith to secure the National Championship.

Path to Nationals

Aspire FC 09B Black (TX-S) finished in second place in the Premier 1 division of the Frontier Conference and secured advancement to the National Championships through National League P.R.O. in Tampa.

National final key moments

The South Texas side saved its best performances for Nationals in Orlando and capped its run with a 6-1 win over Miami Breakers FC 2009 Black (FL) in the final. Carlos Reyes had a standout game that saw him net an amazing five goals — including four in the first half, capped off by a deft chip of a bouncing ball in first-half stoppage time. Fernando Mendoza scored a 19th-minute goal for Miami that resulted in a 4-1 score line at the break, but the Breakers also went down a man late in the half. Reyes added his final goal in the 44th minute, and Santiago Arriazola added a late tally to cap the victory that gave Aspire the 15U Boys National title.

Path to Nationals

Team Boca 08G Elite 64 (FL) showed consistency during the regular season en route to winning the Southeast division of Elite 64. The Florida side competed in the champions pool at National League P.R.O. in Tampa, where it qualified for the National Championships.

National final key moments

A back-and-forth 16U Girls championship game saw Team Boca hold off Fort Wayne United 08G Elite 64 (IN), 4-2, to win the National title. Adrianna Gonzalez powered a strong start for the Florida side, as she recorded a brace in the opening five minutes to put Team Boca in front, 2-0. Fort Wayne fought back early in the second half, as Grace Mann scored in the 44th minute, and Channing Xayarath equalized with a 53rd-minute strike from distance.

Team Boca recaptured the momentum in the 69th minute, as a low cross from the right wing found Colbie Pirchio, who finished inside the left post. Mary Hartofilis lifted an 80th-minute shot over the keeper to wrap up the 4-2 win and give Team Boca the National Championship.

Path to Nationals

Defending National Champion Utah Celtic FC 08B (UT) finished in second place in the Premier 1 division of the Desert Conference. After advancing to February’s National League P.R.O. event in Tampa, the Utah side won all three games to win the silver pool title and secure a berth to Nationals.

National final key moments

A second straight clean sheet helped power Utah Celtic to its second straight title, as it defeated Galaxy SC 08B Elite 64 (IL), 2-0, in the 16U Boys title game. Blake Stuart put Utah Celtic in front in the 26th minute, as he danced around the defense at the top of the box and cut his right-footed shot inside the left post. Galaxy pushed for an equalizer for nearly an hour before Brooks Barker sealed the victory for Utah. After his initial shot was saved, Barker quickly hit the rebound past the keeper to give Celtic the 2-0 win that helped the team lift the National Championship trophy for a second consecutive year.

Path to Nationals

Nationals Union 07 Girls Black (MI) won the Premier 2 division of the Midwest Conference and qualified for the National Championships by winning the champions pool at National League P.R.O. in Tampa.

National final key moments

In a championship game full of twists and turns, Nationals Union held off Aztec 07 Girls (MA), 3-2, in extra time. Aztec gained an initial lead thanks to a Molly Vana goal in the 16th minute, but Presley Jones replied six minutes later to equalize for Nationals. That kickstarted a banner day for Jones, who gave the Michigan side the lead in the 40th minute by running on to a cross and finishing into an open net.

The Massachusetts side’s Georgia Prouty curled a left-footed shot past the Nationals keeper in the 61st minute to tie the game, and the two sides needed extra time to determine the National Champion. In stoppage time of the first overtime period, Jones made a back post run and tapped in a cross for what proved to be the championship-winning goal.

Path to Nationals

A second-place finish in the Midwest division of Elite 64 was an example of the consistency showed by Toca FC 07B Elite 64 (KS) this season. The Kansas side did well at its national events, and it earned its place in Orlando by winning twice in the champions pool at National League P.R.O. in Tampa.

National final key moments

After knocking off the defending champions in the semifinals, Toca completed its title quest with a 3-0 win against Hoosier FC 07 Elite Wolves I (IN) in the 17U Boys final. In the 12th minute, Crew Alvarez ran on to a through ball and found the back of the net from a tight angle to give Toca the 1-0 lead. The Kansas side doubled its lead through a 34th-minute corner kick, as defender Duncan Black made a near post run and headed the ball into the back of the net. Black added his second just minutes later, as he remained forward following a corner kick and got his first on a cross to redirect the ball past the keeper. Toca’s defense did the rest, as it kept its third clean sheet of the event to win the 17U Boys title.

Path to Nationals

Strikers Miami FC 06B Elite (FL) finished in first place in the Premier 1 division of the Sunshine Conference and competed at National League P.R.O. The Florida side qualified for the National Championships by winning the Southern Regional Championship in June.

National final key moments

A defensive stalemate between Strikers Miami and Kansas Rush Academy 2006 (KS) required extra time to determine the 18U Boys National Champion. After a scoreless 90 minutes, the two teams moved on overtime. In the 94th minute, a foul at the top of the box resulted in a penalty kick for Strikers. Pedro Arrieta stepped up to the spot and hammered his penalty down the middle for the game’s lone goal, as the Florida side secured the National title.

Path to Nationals

Michigan Rangers FC 05/06G Elite 64 (MI) recorded a pair of second place finishes this season — starting with a runner-up finish in the Midwest division of Elite 64. Michigan advanced to the champions pool title game at National League P.R.O. in Tampa, where it qualified for the National Championships.

National final key moments

In a tight championship game, Michigan Rangers held on for a 2-1 win against Fort Wayne United 05/06G Elite 64 (IN) to win the National title. Rangers grabbed a 12th-minute lead in the matchup of Elite 64 sides when Alexa Boersma rose up to send a looping head a corner kick just under the bar for the opening goal. Michigan made it 2-0 in the final seconds of the first half when Ava Lutke’s tight angle shot flew inside the far post. Josslyn Goss finished from close range to pull Fort Wayne within a goal in the 87th minute, but Michigan held on to earn the 2-1 victory and claim the 19U Girls title.

Path to Nationals

Cedar Stars 05/06B Elite 64 (NJ) finished second in the Northeast division of Elite 64, and it advanced to National League P.R.O. The New Jersey side won the Eastern Regional Championships in early July to earn a place at Nationals.

National final key moments

Cedar Stars added to the many dramatic moments in the history of the storied James P. McGuire Cup, as it came back to win, 3-2, in the 19U Boys championship game against two-time defending National Champion Libertyville FC 1974 Elite (IL).

The Libertyville side appeared on its way to a third straight title — and fourth overall — when it built a two-goal lead. Oscar Martinez scored on a spinning half volley in the 19th minute, and Frankie Jimenez used some superb individual skill to add a second for the Illinois side in the 40th minute.

Cristian Oliveira pulled a goal back for Cedar Stars in the 72nd minute, and Kwaku Agyabeng curled a perfectly placed free kick into the left upper-90 to level the score at 2-2 in the 82nd minute. In the first minute of stoppage time, a cross intended for Harrison Garcia from Martin Pulgarin Aguirre tucked into the far side netting for the goal that gave Cedar Stars the win and added it to the long list of McGuire Cup champions.

ORLANDO, Fla. (July 27, 2024) — The 2024 US Youth Soccer National Championships, presented by New York Life, continued Saturday in Orlando, Fla., as the teams that will vie for remaining National titles were determined during intense semifinal action.

In addition to the semifinals, Saturday morning also saw the 18U National Champions crowned. Sunshine Conference winner Strikers Miami FC 2006 Elite (FL) secured a 1-0 win in extra time to secure the 18U Boys National Championship.

“It feels amazing. Unbelievable. It’s crazy. I never thought I would be here,” said Strikers Miami forward Pedro Arrieta. “I was injured earlier this year, but we’re back and better, and we won the National Championship. I’m so happy. It’s an amazing, surreal feeling.”

In the 18U Girls final, Midwest Conference winner Wheaton United 2006G Academy made a frantic comeback to tie the match in stoppage time but eventually fell, 5-4, in extra time to NCFC Youth Elite (NC).

The 18U title-winners joined the 13U champions, who lifted their trophies on Friday night. A pair of National League sides — HTX 12 (TX-S) and The Football Academy NJ 11B Black (NJ) — won the girls and boys titles, respectively, in the event’s youngest age group.

After Saturday morning’s action, 20 teams now know they are one win away from joining the first four 2024 National Champions at the pinnacle of youth soccer.

The remaining National Championships finals include 19 teams that played in the National League during the 2023-24 season. The National League teams include nine sides that won their regular season division and seven sides that finished in second place.

Several of the remaining teams did well in National League P.R.O., as six won champions pool titles and two won their silver pool brackets.

Two clubs, Fort Wayne United (IN) and Galaxy SC (IL), have two teams in Sunday’s finals, while The Football Academy (NJ) has one team that will aim to add to the 13U Boys title the club claimed on Friday night.

To advance to the championship final, it takes hard work not only during the week in Orlando or across the season, but over the course of several years.

“Two years ago, we lost in the finals for State Cup,” said center back Finnley Crawford of Fort Wayne United 08G Elite 64 (IN). “Last year, we went into two overtimes in the State Cup final and went to Regionals, where we won one game and lost two. This year, we’re going to the National Championship final, so we’ve grown a lot.”

Ponys overcomes early deficit to earn return to final

For the second straight season, Ponys FC 2010 (IL) is heading to the National Championship final after it defeated Barca Academy Pro Miami B10 (FL), 3-1, on Saturday.

Barca took an 11th-minute lead behind a Mikhail Louis-Pierre goal, but Ponys responded late in the first half. Fabian Lopez equalized with a 34th minute strike, and Michael Panduro put the Illinois side in front when he scored three minutes later, just before the halftime whistle blew.

Geovanni Morales added an insurance goal in the 53rd minute, and Ponys secured the 3-1 win and a return trip to the National final — where the team will aim to capture the title after coming up just short a year ago.

“It feels really good to get back to the final after last year,” Panduro said. “We lost it last year, but we’re going to win it this year. We’re very thankful. It takes a lot of sacrifices, so we’re very glad to get back here.”

Fort Wayne United advances to the 16U Girls final

A pair of late first-half goals helped power Fort Wayne United 08G Elite 64 (IN) to a 3-1 win against Chattanooga Red Wolves 08G (TN) to advance to the 16U Girls championship game.

Braylee Morris netted an opener for Fort Wayne in the 39th minute, and Allison Heine doubled the advantage just minutes later when she found the back of the net in stoppage time.

Emily Betterton pulled a goal back for Chattanooga in the 58th minute, but Channing Xayarath added a late insurance goal for the Indiana side, as Fort Wayne held on for the victory.

“It took a lot of hard work to get here. Our coaches have done a really good job of helping us stay committed and picking up intensity during practice,” Fort Wayne center back Finnley Crawford said. “We’ve all just trusted each other through the process, with new girls coming into the team and a lot of girls who have been playing together for a while. Building that trust and connection has really helped us get this far.”

ORLANDO, Fla. (July 25, 2024) — Thursday marked the decision day at the 2024 US Youth Soccer National Championships, presented by New York Life, in Orlando, Fla., as boys and girls teams in the 13U-19U age groups wrapped up group play and secured berths to the tournament’s knockout rounds.

Five of the eight finalists in the 13U and 18U age groups played in the National League during the 2023-24 season, and four of those five sides won their respective conference.

In the 14U, 15U, 16U, 17U and 19U age groups, the top team in each four-team group earned advancement to semifinal matches that will be played on Saturday morning. Of the 40 teams that advanced to the weekend’s semifinals in those age groups, 39 played in National League competitions during the 2023-24 season.

“We knew we had to come out today balling,” said Miami Breakers 09B (FL) winger Gabriel Perrotti after a must-win contest for advancement. “We got the win, so now we’re going through. For me, it means everything. It’s my last season here at this club, where I’ve played my whole life, and the truth is I wouldn’t want it to end any other way.”

The National Championships semifinalists include 12 teams that won the champions pool at their National League P.R.O. event, while six runners-up from P.R.O. events also advanced to this weekend’s semifinals in Orlando. Four silver pool winners and five wildcard pool winners also earned berths to the semifinals. Overall, each of the 39 semifinalists that played the National League advanced out of their respective playoff events and played at a National League P.R.O. event.

Nineteen of the semifinalists finished in first place in their regular season division within the National League, and 11 finished as regular season runners-up.

Galaxy 08B comes through in must-win game

Tied atop 16U Boys Group C with four points apiece, Galaxy SC 08B Elite 64 (IL) and AC Brea B08 (CA-S) knew one of the sides would earn the group’s spot in the semifinals.

Galaxy, which needed all three points to guarantee advancement, grabbed an early lead behind a 4th-minute goal from Oliver Brosnahan. The Illinois side maintained that lead until the 48th minute, when AC Brea’s Antonio Diaz Madrid ran on to a long ball played behind the back line and found the back of the net with his first-touch shot.

While a tied score line would mean AC Brea’s advancement, that scenario did not last long. Just five minutes after the equalizer, Galaxy regained the lead thanks to a Ryan Gervase goal. The defender’s tally proved to be the winner, as the Illinois side held on for the 2-1 win.

“All the parents knew we had to win the game. Everyone knew. The other team knew, so they were playing to tie or win,” Gervase said. “I’ve been on this team for about 10 years. It’s my first time at Nationals, and it’s a big opportunity to score the winning goal to make it to the semifinals and have a chance to win the National title.”

DASC wins battle of former champions

In the 19U Girls age group, 2023 17U National Champion DASC Black (SD) faced a must-win situation against Group A leader NOSC Blast 05G Sahara (MN), which featured several players returning from the Blast side that won last year’s 19U National title.

The experience on the biggest stage shared between both teams was evident, as the two sides battled for 90 minutes in a game that featured plenty of momentum swings.

After a scoreless first half, Elizabeth Castelli began a frantic second half by scoring in the 53rd minute to give DASC a 1-0 lead. The South Dakota side doubled its advantage around the hour mark on an Aftyn Murray strike.

NOSC replied minutes later to pull within a goal, as Meghan Przybilla ran on to a cross into the box and hit her first-time shot into the back of the net. The Minnesota side got the tying goal that had the potential to put it through to the semifinals in the 72nd minute, when Molly Burkstrand hit a shot form distance the dipped under the bar.

In the final minutes of regulation, DASC earned a series of corners that ended with Makenzie Nelson making a back post run and hammering a volley into the roof of the net. DASC held on in the waning moments to earn the 3-2 win and advance out of Group A to the semifinals.

“Playing another team that also won Nationals last year is a huge opportunity for us to even get better as a team,” Nelson said. “We came into this game needing to win and wanting to win. We had that all throughout the game. We gave it everything we could and came up with the win.”

ORLANDO, Fla. (July 24, 2024) — The 2024 US Youth Soccer National Championships, presented by New York Life, continued Wednesday in Orlando, Fla., as boys and girls teams in the 13U-19U age groups played their second of three group stage games.

Seven National League teams entered the week looking to defend the titles they won at the 2023 National Championships, while another five sides that finished as runners-up a year ago are trying to get over that final hurdle and lift the trophy this week.

After two days of play, the defending champions have combined for five wins, one loss and one draw, and the 2023 finalists have added four wins, four losses and a draw in their quests to capture the elusive National title.

In the 17U Boys age group, defending National Champion La Roca Milla (UT) faced a stiff test against 2023 National semifinalists FC United DSM 2007B (IA). Behind a pair of goals from JJ Cubillas, the Utah side pulled away for a 2-0 victory to remain on top of Group C.

The La Roca forward said adding their team to US Youth Soccer history as a repeat champion has been a big motivator for the team while competing this season.

“It means a lot. We come here each time to win, and this year to defend our title and go for a two-peat,” Cubillas said. “We’re going to try our hard to go back-to-back, and we’re on that path so far. We just have to keep pushing.”

In pursuit of the historic McGuire Cup

In the 19U Boys age group, Libertyville FC 1974 Elite (IL) is looking to make history in multiple ways. The Illinois side has won back-to-back National titles and is attempting to complete a rare three-peat this season while capturing the historic James P. McGuire Cup.

“We’ve had some really great competition this week,” Libertyville defender Mateo Ormaza said. “The first team, PA Dominion, came out really strong and was really physical. We won that game and then battled today to win, 6-1. We’re looking at finishing the group well tomorrow and then hopefully making another deep run.”

Alex Gotz and Miguel Garcia each found the back of the net in the first 20 minutes to put Libertyville up, 2-0, on Wednesday against CT Rush Select 06B (CT). Rush replied with a 30th-minute goal from Munib Kassem to cut the Illinois advantage in half, but Frankie Jimnez reestablished the two-goal cushion with a goal just before halftime.

Jorge Hernandez Lopez added to the lead in the 58th minute, and Frederick Barnshaw later slid a shot inside the far post to add a fifth. Garcia netted his second on a late breakaway to cap the victory and put Libertyville at the top of the Group C standings after two days of play.

“We won the last two National titles, and we’re really motivated to come out here and win a third,” Ormaza said. “It’s a big motivation for us to be one of historic teams and do it again.”

Columbus looking to go 2 for 2

After winning the title in the youngest age group last season, Columbus United G10 Lions (OH) is aiming to add the 14U Girls title a resume that includes the 2023 13U Girls National Championship.

The Ohio side faced a stiff challenge on Wednesday against Rising 10G Burgess (AR), as Columbus overcame a halftime deficit before holding on for a 3-2 victory.

Rising’s Ella Dietz opened the scoring in the 18th minute, and that lead held until the early portion of the second half.

Maya Alonso equalized for Columbus when she spun at the top of the box and place her shot inside the right post. The Ohio side rode the wave of momentum and took the lead just two minutes later on Emerson Rehklau’s strike from inside the box.

Gabrielle Smullen added a key insurance goal in the 57th minute before Dietz completed a brace with a 63rd-minute tally to pull Rising within a goal. However, Columbus held off a few late pressures to secure the win.

“We won our first two games, and there’s a lot of pressure on our backs because we won last year and everyone is out to get us,” Columbus United forward Taylor Whetzel said. “We just have to keep pushing hard and make it through.”

The 2024 National Championships will continue on Thursday when teams play their third and final group stage game. Games are being played the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex and the Omni Orlando Resort at ChampionsGate.

ORLANDO, Fla. (July 23, 2024) — The 2024 US Youth Soccer National Championships, presented by New York Life, kicked off Tuesday in Orlando, Fla., as 174 of the best teams in the country began their pursuit of history.

The field of teams includes 91 sides that qualified for Nationals by winning their respective pool at one of two National League P.R.O. events during the 2023-24 season. Those teams were all in action on Tuesday, as they looked to build off the momentum of their earlier triumphs against some of the top teams from the National League.

For Las Vegas Surf 09G Elite 64 (NV), the champions pool winner at National League P.R.O. in Oceanside, the first group play game in Orlando resulted in a decisive victory. With nearly two years of success in National League competitions — including a runners-up finish in last year’s Elite 64 National Finals — the Nevada side feels prepared to make a run at the USYS National Championship.

“The competition we’ve faced has helped us see how other teams play and helped us prepare for this event,” Las Vegas Surf attacking midfielder Gloria Vancura said. “At Nationals, we play against teams from all across the country, so it was really good preparation for us.”

The champions pool winners from National League P.R.O. did especially well on Tuesday, as they recorded 13 wins, two losses and two draws. Overall, pool winners from all three levels of National League P.R.O. events earned 26 wins, 20 losses and nine draws, with 18 of the 20 defeats coming to other National League sides.

Coast to coast showdown

The action in 15U Group B featured two of the top teams from this season’s National League P.R.O. event in Oceanside, Calif.

Los Angeles SC 09B Elite 64 (CA-S), the champions pool winner, began group play against wildcard pool winner Strikers Miami FC 2009 Elite (FL). LASC continued the fine form that has helped it to multiple titles at National League events in the last two seasons, as it opened its week at Nationals with a 2-0 win.

LASC attacking midfielder Matthew Manrique opened the scoring in the 22nd minute to put the Cal South side in control. Later, Ashton Durr scored a header from a set piece to double the LASC advantage. The defense did the rest to hold on for a clean sheet and secure the 2-0 victory.

Manrique said the team’s success at National League P.R.O. and against challenging teams has prepared it well for the competition in Orlando.

“We have good confidence coming in here,” Manrique said. “We’re here to try to win it all and take the trophy back home, especially for our parents. We do everything for them and our team. We love this game, and we want to take it all and show everyone what we have.”

Wild game between wildcard pool winners

Battle-tested wildcard pool winners from both the Tampa and Oceanside National League P.R.O. events squared off Tuesday, as City SC Utah 10G Elite 64 (UT) came back to defeat Elmbrook United 10G Elite 64 (WI), 3-2, behind a late Grace Thompson game winner.

“We’ve been playing some really tough teams [in National League], Thompson said. “The competition has helped us get here and has pushed us to work harder and to help us win here.”

Elmbrook came out on the front foot and scored twice within the first four minutes, with Kyla Rondorf and Josephine Yttre providing the opening goals.

City SC Utah replied later in the first half with a Maliyah McGill tally to cut the Elmbrook lead in half. The Utah side’s Josephine Cannon leveled the game in the 51st minute to set up a dramatic conclusion.

As the game entered stoppage time, City SC Utah won a free kick in a dangerous position in the attacking third. Thompson curled her free kick off the inside of the near post for what proved to be the winner in the Utah side’s 3-2 victory.

“It feels so good to score the winner,” Thompson said. “Everyone was so excited. I’m just so happy and excited to try to move on and have a chance to win Nationals.” The 2024 National Championships will continue on Wednesday when teams play their second of three group stage games. Games are being played the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex and the Omni Orlando Resort at ChampionsGate.