The National Championships date back to 1935, when what is now the James P. McGuire Cup — given to the 19-and-Under Boys National Champion — was first awarded. The McGuire Cup continues as the oldest trophy in youth sports, and it has been joined by additional prized heirlooms of the sport through the years, as the National Championships grew to include the 13U through 19U Boys and Girls age groups.

Each time a team lifts a trophy as a newly crowned National Champion, the players are holding pieces of youth soccer history — several of which are named for those who helped shape the game in the United States.