As the sun set, and the lights of the Vegas strip powered up, the US Youth Soccer Olympic Development Program (ODP) National Championships came to a close and crowned four US Youth Soccer ODP National Champions.  Leading the way with two teams in the gold, California South's 1988 Boys and 1986 Girls were the last teams standing in their respective age groups while Washington's 1988 Girls and Colorado's 1986 Boys took their place in the history book of the largest youth sport organization's elite competition.

 

After a highly competitive day of semifinal action on Friday, March 19 the nation's elite boys and girls state-level teams were back on Sunday, March 21 for a chance to earn a national championship.  US Youth Soccer ODP National Championships began in 2000 with state-level US Youth Soccer ODP regional champions in the under-16 and under-18 age groups to form the sixteen-team field.

 

Looking for their first US Youth Soccer ODP National Championship, Washington's 1988 Girls took the field against Connecticut in the first championship match of the day.  The cool morning breeze gave way to a highly competitive contest that ended with Washington two goals to none thanks to the 'golden boot' of Washington's Courtney Bell who scored on goals in the 23rd and 53rd minutes of play.  Connecticut's push to even the score was countered each time by Washington's Jorden Kussman in goal and winner of the adidas Golden Glove for excellence in defense.  The adidas Golden Boot was awarded to Washington's Courtney Bell for her outstanding offensive effort.

 

In girls' 1988 consolation action, North Texas took on Illinois.  Displaying their states colors for all to see, the girls from North Texas flipped the offense switch and never looked back winning 4:0 thanks to goals by Michelle Nguyen in the 22nd minute, Lauren Wilmouth in the 46th, Catherine Lagow in the 71st and Kendall Campise in the 79th minute of play.

 

Turning their high-octane offense up a notch was the 1988 boys from California South, who scored seven goals, in the 1988 boys final against Wisconsin.  California's seven goals was just one shy of tying the most goals in a match set by Eastern Pennsylvania's U18 in 2000.  Showing their heart and never-quit attitude that got them to the finals, Wisconsin continued to battle and create opportunities much like they did in their semifinal game against North Carolina.  But in the end the California South attack was too much.  California's Michael Barbeito started with a goal in the 7th minute of play and adidas Golden Boot winner, Daniel Ortega followed with three goals (25:00, 36:00, 55:00) to put California in a commanding lead.  William Molina, who scored the "Golden Goal" on Friday, scored in the 62nd minute and followed that with his third goal of the championships in the 67th minute of play. Adidas Golden Glove winner, Bryant Ruckner kept the Wisconsin advance at bay and Gabriel Farfan added a late goal in the 72nd minute of play to cap California South's National Championship run at 7:0.

 

The boys' 1988 consolation match featured North Carolina and Eastern Pennsylvania in a battle for bronze.  Karl Reddick put Eastern Pennsylvania on the board first in the 20th minute of play but North Carolina stormed back with goals in the 65th minute by Matt Betts and again in the 67th minute by Daniel Fish.  Eastern Pennsylvania created some opportunities to even the score but as time expired it was North Carolina holding the bronze medals.   

 

As the desert heat continued to rise, it was the 1986 girls turn in the sun.  California South girls' looked to add to their national championship totals as North Texas looked for their first girls' title.  Early in the 2nd minute of play Kristina Loucks from California South made room to score and place California South with the early advantage.  After 90 minutes of play it was a back and forth battle with neither team able to hold possession.  Keeping California off the scoreboard was some excellent play from adidas Golden Glove winner Lauren Karas of North Texas.  Lauren's play minimized the scoring chances for California and kept North Texas in the hunt for gold, but at the end it was Kristina's lone goal that brought California their record-setting ninth US Youth Soccer ODP National Championship and an adidas Golden Boot for her efforts.    

 

The '86 girls' consolation match between New Jersey and Missouri showcased some great touches and control.  Despite the number of chances to score it was New Jersey's Jennifer Redmond with the game-winning goal.  

 

If it was hot earlier in the day, it was at a boiling point as New Jersey and Colorado took to the field for the 1986 boys' championship match.  New Jersey was in search of their first US Youth Soccer ODP National Championship as were the boys from Colorado and the effort on the field showed the importance of the moment.  Brandon Tucker started Colorado off on the right foot with a goal in the 25th minute of play but Thomas Gray of New Jersey soon evened the score in the 29th minute to place both teams at one goal each.  Colorado's Garrett Maloney put his team in the lead with a goal in the 37th minute and Nicholas Blanco followed with goals in the 57th and 60th minutes.  Blanco totaled three goals and added an adidas Golden Boot to his weekend accomplishments.  Teammate Conrad Taylor was rewarded with the adidas Golden Glove for his outstanding play during Colorado's rush for gold.

 

The 1986 boys’ consolation match saw an offensive display from both Michigan and Florida as both teams were determined to come home with US Youth Soccer ODP National Championship hardware.  Brian Bell scored in the 10th minute for Florida and a communication error cost Florida the lead in the 15th minute to even the teams at one goal each.  Michigan’s Wade Allen gave Michigan the lead with a goal in the 20th minute and four minutes later Kenzo Webster added his own.  John Omekanda pushed the total to four goals in the 49th minute, that’s when Florida began to chip away at the Michigan lead with Alimer Gonzalez’s goal in the 67th minute and Michael Kohls’ in the 83rd but it was all for not as Michigan’s Judah Hernadez put the finish on a 5:3 win in the 87th minute and Michigan held the rights to the days’ hardware.

 

Collegiate and U.S. National Team coaching staff were on hand to observe the US Youth Soccer ODP players to better prepare their future teams with the country's top youth talent and this weekend highlighted what the program has been known for, for more than 27 years.  For more on the oldest and original US Youth Soccer ODP, the 2004 US Youth Soccer ODP National Championships and US Youth Soccer visit USYouthSoccer.org.

 

1988 Girls Championship - Washington vs. Connecticut 2:0
Goal Scorers: 7 - Courtney Bell, Bainbridge Island, WA (23:00), (53:00)

 

1988 Boys Championship - California South vs. Wisconsin 7:0
Goal Scorers: 2 - Michael Barbeito, Fontana, CA (7:00), 12 - Daniel Ortega, Chula Vista, CA (25:00), (36:00), (55:00), 10 - William Molina, Van Nuys, CA (62:00), (67:00), 4 - Gabriel Farfan, San Diego, CA (72:00)

 

1986 Girls Championship - California South vs. North Texas 1:0
Goal Scorers: 13 - Kristina Loucks, Canyon Country, CA (2:00)

 

1986 Boys Championship - Colorado vs. New Jersey 4:1
Goal Scorers: 15 - Brandon Tucker, Englewood, CO (25:00), 7 - Thomas Gray, Red Bank, NJ (29:00), 8 - Garrett Maloney, Colorado Springs, CO (37:00), 2 - Nicholas Blanco, Littleton, CO (57:00), (60:00)

 

1988 Girls - North Texas vs. Illinois 4:0
Goal Scorers: 13 - Michelle Nguyen, Richardson, TX (22:00), 17 - Lauren Wilmouth, Garland, TX (46:00), 8 - Catherine Lagow, Plano, TX (71:00), 3 - Kendall Campise, Plano, TX (79:00)

 

1988 Boys Consolation - North Carolina vs. Eastern Pennsylvania 2:1
Goal Scorers: 19 - Karl Reddick, Media, PA (20:00), 11 - Matt Betts, Apex, NC (65:00), 13 - Daniel Fish, Raleigh, NC (67:00)

 

1986 Girls Consolation - New Jersey vs. Missouri 1:0
Goal Scorer: 4 - Jennifer Redmond, Moorestown, NJ (42:00)

 

1986 Boys Consolation - Michigan vs. Florida 5:3
Goal Scorers: 3 – Brian Bell, Bradenton, FL (10:00), FL - OG (15:00), 7 – Wade Allen, Shelby Twp, MI (20:00), 23 – Kenzo Webster, Monroe, MI (24:00), 19 – John Omekanda, Rochester, MI (49:00), 7 – Alimer Gonzalez, Miami, FL (67:00), 9 – Michael Kohl, Apopka, FL (83:00), 12 – Judah Hernandez (MI), Ocoee, FL (87:00)

 

adidas Golden Boot Winners
1988 Girls - Courtney Bell, WA
1988 Boys - Daniel Ortega, CA
1986 Girls - Kristina Loucks, CA
1986 Boys - Nicholas Blanco, CO

 

adidas Golden Glove Winners
1988 Girls - Jorden Kussmann, WA
1988 Boys - Bryant Ruckner, CA
1986 Girls - Lauren Karas, TX
1986 Boys - Conrad Taylor, CO