Sunshine Conference

FRISCO, Texas (May 3, 2023) — The US Youth Soccer National League is pleased to announce the seven (7) clubs selected for the Boys Club vs. Club Division of the Sunshine Conference: Azzuri Storm, Doral Soccer Club, GGS Soccer Academy, Miami Breakers FC, Strikers Miami FC, SABR Team Boca, and West Pines United FC.

These boys clubs will begin competing in the 2023-24 season within the club-based division of the Sunshine Conference, which is one of the 13 Conferences within the National League.

As a top-tier division within the Sunshine Conference, the Club vs. Club Division provides teams with opportunities to compete for spots in the USYS National Championship Series and the following season’s National League Conference Playoffs. Both advancement opportunities allow teams to move up the pathway toward the USYS National Championships.
 

A WORD FROM THE CLUBS:

Azzuri Storm Soccer Club
“We are excited about the competition we will play in Sunshine Academy Division, which will continue to enhance our players’ development. The clubs involved in this league are extremely competitive and will bring the best out of our individual players and teams overall, making it a holistic platform. We look forward to contributing a high-quality of play to the game and the league.” – Carrie Molaka, Director of Coaching

Doral Soccer Club
“Doral Soccer Club is thrilled to announce our participation in Sunshine Conference Academy this upcoming season. We strive to provide the best opportunities for players to compete and continue their development.” – Kevin Piraquive, Director of Coaching

GGS Soccer Academy
“GGS is honored to be accepted into the Sunshine Conference Academy Division. We are committed to providing our players with the highest level of coaching and training, and we are grateful for the chance to showcase our talents on this platform. We are thrilled to be a part of this respected division and look forward to the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.” – Marconi Machado, Co-Founder & Director of Operations

Miami Breakers FC
“We are excited for the opportunity to showcase our level of competition in one of the highest platforms in the Sunshine Conference. Being accepted into this league creates a direct pathway to compete against the nation’s best, and we look forward to the ability to play at the highest standard.” – Eric Vasquez, Club Director

Strikers Miami FC
“We are thrilled to join an elite-level league designed to promote a highly competitive and professional level. Strikers Miami FC is committed to looking for ways to enhance the experience of our players, coaches and families. This opportunity provides our club members with a chance to enhance their development and skills against the most talented clubs in the country.” – Diego Rios, Executive Director

SABR Team Boca
“As a long-standing club with a history of USYS success, we are thrilled to participate in the Sunshine Conference Academy Division. The Club vs. Club model and the pathways to the USYS Southern Regional Championships and the USYS National Championship Series give our boys’ teams and players an opportunity to play in a highly competitive environment. We are excited to be accepted into the Sunshine Conference Academy and are eagerly looking forward to the season.” – Michael Araujo, Boys Director of Coaching

West Pines United FC
“West Pines United FC is proud and excited to be accepted into the Sunshine Conference Academy. This club-based league aligns with our vision for our club. It provides pathways of showcasing for our players, as well as additional avenues towards regional and national events.” – Todd Goodman, Director of Coaching

FRISCO, Texas (Oct. 18, 2022) — The US Youth Soccer Sunshine Conference is nearing its midway point for most divisions, and many of the races for top-of-the-table finishes feature several contenders.

The Sunshine Conference features Premier I (team-based) and Academy (club-based Divisions that each provide pathways to advance to the 2023 USYS Southern Regional Championships and the 2023-24 season of USYS National League P.R.O. Those opportunities add meaning and excitement to every game played during the conference season.

A look at some top teams in the Sunshine Conference Premier I Divisions…

In the 13U Girls Premier I Division, Nona Soccer 2010 Black is getting its first taste of Sunshine Conference competition, and is off to a 4-0-0 start after several tight games.

“Our girls are really enjoying every game with the high level of competition,” Nona coach Guillermo Escudero Tello said. “The games are really close. For example, last Saturday we play a really hard game against Jupiter and we were able to come back the score in the second half against a fantastic opponent.”

The hot start has Nona three points back of first-place Azzurri Storm 2010G Premier. Escudero Tello and his team are not looking ahead and focusing on the games in front of them, but they’re excited for the opportunities available through success at the conference level of the National League.

“We don’t want to get too excited about [the advancement opportunities] because we have six games left, and two of them are against Azzurri, which has a record of 5-0-0,” Escudero Tello said. “However, it’s an extra motivation for our girls and the whole club. It could be the first time that a Nona girls team moves forward to the Regionals and National League P.R.O.”

In the 19U Boys Premier I Division, J Petrov Academy Red is off to a 2-0-0 start in the Sunshine Conference after it picked up its second clean sheet in a decisive win on Sunday.

J Petrov coach Jeff Rubin said the strong start to the season will help to build momentum as his team gets deeper into its 2022-23 season.

“Considering that we have a handful of new players, the overall team chemistry is good, and as we progress into the season we expect the boys to gel further,” Rubin said. “Winning the first two conference matches helps build confidence as a team and allows the newcomers to quickly trust that our philosophy of training and system of play will allow them to achieve success.”

J Petrov will also be competing in National League P.R.O. this season, and the players values the experience of testing themselves there and in the conference.

“We always want to train and play with the very best competition,” Rubin said. “That is how you get better as a player and as a team. You push yourself, you push your teammates and development occurs when that’s happening on a consistent basis.

“Playing in the National League allows our players to be better because the competition demands it no matter the result of the match, and it further prepares you for the next level.”

A look at the Sunshine Conference Academy Boys Divisions…

• Jacksonville FC is currently in first place in the 13U and 14U Boys age groups.
• Weston FC is in first place in the 15U Boys age group, and in the Top 3 in the 16U, 17U and 18/19U age groups.
• Florida Rush is in first place in the 16U Boys age group, while its 14U and 15U teams are currently in both in the Top 3 of their standings.
• Clay County SC USA is in first place in the 17U Boys age group.
• West Florida Flames is currently in first place in the 19U age group.
• Several age groups feature teams with games in hand that are poised to make moves toward the top of the standings.

A look at the Sunshine Conference Academy Girls Divisions…

• Miami Rush Kendall is in first place in the 13U Girls age group, while it has teams in the Top 3 in the 15U, 16U and 17U age groups.
• Greater Boca YSA is currently leading in the 14U Girls and 18/19U Girls age groups, and its 17U Girls sit in second place.
• Sunrise SC is in first place in the 15U Girls age group and has a second-place team in the 16U Girls age group.
• Jacksonville FC is unbeaten an in first place in the 16U Girls age group.
• Florida Rush has a narrow lead in the 17U Girls age group.
• Several age groups feature teams with games in hand that are poised to make moves toward the top of the standings.

The Sunshine Conference is one of 13 conferences in the USYS National League. Action in the Sunshine Conference will continue throughout the year with teams inching closer to earning qualification into National League P.R.O. or a spot at the 2023 USYS Southern Regional Championships.

For more information on the Sunshine Conference, including schedules, scores, and standings, click here.