OVERLAND PARK, Kan. (June 15, 2019) – Preliminary games of the 2019 US Youth Soccer Midwest Presidents Cup concluded today in Overland Park, Kan. The semifinals for the 13U through 18U age groups, along with the 19U boys will be tomorrow, June 16. The final for the 19U girls will be played tomorrow, and the remaining final matches will take place on Monday, June 17.
The event features more than 150 US Youth Soccer boys and girls teams competing for a regional title and a chance to advance to the 2019 US Youth Soccer National Presidents Cup presented by Chipotle, July 10-14 in Murfreesboro, Tenn.
Some notes from a few of today’s games:
13U Girls
The top spot in the 13U Girls Group B bracket heading into the final day of preliminary play was wide open. Internationals 06 Blue (OH-N) earned a 3-3- draw with KCSG Pre Academy Navy 06 (MO) and got some help from FC1 Girls 2006 Elite (IL) who defeated Sporting BV USA 07 (KS), 1-0. The results did just enough for Internationals to grab a one point lead in the group to advance to semifinals. KCSG looked posed to cause trouble in the game for the Ohio North team as it came out on fire scoring two goals in the first five minutes thanks to a brace from Brooke Boyer. Internationals quickly cut the deficit back to one just four minutes later thanks to Julia Low and then Danica Seals sealed the 2-2 tie heading into halftime. KCSG once again took the lead just into the second half, this time it was Kayla Smith finding the back of the net. Internationals battled back knowing they needed points to stay in the running and scored a goal in the 59th minute thanks to a finish from Ella Ryan.
14U Boys
The finals are set for the 14U Boys with DASC going a perfect 3-0 in Group A to seal a spot in the semifinals against Group B winner, KCSG Pre Academy Navy 05 (MO). The Missouri side locked up a spot in the semifinals yesterday and head into the match coming off a 0-0 tie with Madison 56ers White (WI). OFC18 Academy 05 (KS) did what was needed by earning a 1-0 win and now face wildcard team LG Celtics First XI 05 (IL) in tomorrow’s semifinals. Celtics were close to having to participate in a kicks-from-the-mark tiebreaker but scored a goal in the 70th minute to go through.
15U Boys
Chicago United SC 04 (IL) continued its dominance through the 15U Boys Group B with a, 5-1, victory over KC Legends Billy Goats 2004 (KS). After a scoreless first half, the fireworks started with a 42nd minute goal from Alex Sandoval. Pablo DeJesus De La Cruz scored just three minutes later to make it 2-0 before Rodrigo Gustavo Diaz added a brace to pull the game away. De La Cruz added a second in the 76th minute but the Chicago side could not hold its clean sheet as Jonathan Emerson tacked on a last minute goal for KC – the first goal scored against Chicago United in all three of its preliminary games. The win puts Chicago United in a semifinal matchup against Illinois counterparts Chicago Rush.
16U Girls
MSC 2003 (IA) came into its 16U Girls matchup knowing a win would seal its spot into the semifinals but fell 2-0 to Internationals Blue on the final day of play. The action was back and forth early and MSC almost took the lead but saw a chance flash over the crossbar. Internationals responded with a great FK that bounced around in the box but was smothered by a diving MSC goalkeeper. After a scoreless first half, Internationals took the lead five minutes into the second half. Morgan Free got the scoring started and then her teammate, Gracie Dzurko, scored in the 61st minute to extend the lead. MSC couldn’t muster an attack to pull back the score and, with the 2-0 final scoreline, Internationals earned a spot into the semifinals as the wildcard finishing in second in Group C behind Three Rivers Rampage (MN).
16U Boys
Westside United FC 2003 Elite (IN) defeated SCW Walworth 03 Blue (WI) 3-0 to seal its spot in the semifinals and a perfect 3-0 record through group play. Maxwell Harris scored his third of the tournament in just the seventh minute of play before Nathaniel Heyen made it 2-0 just three minutes later. Just before the end of the first half, Heyen notched his second of the game and his third of the event to give Westside a 3-0 lead headed into halftime. Each team had good opportunities in the second half but tough defense and missed opportunities kept the goals from coming and Westside finished with the 3-0 victory. The win sets Westside up against Group B winners KCSG Pre Academy Red 03 (MO).
17U Girls
Chicago Fire Juniors West 2002 Red (IL) defeated Maplebrook (MN), 2-0, to earn its third straight victory in as many days. Chicago’s Emma Gruber scored the lone first-half goal with a finish in the 15th minute. Chicago continued to press early in the second half and controlled the pace of the game. After working the ball into the center of the box, Morgan Furmaniak nestled her second goal of the event into the right side of the net to make it 2-0. Maplebrook started to fight back and almost cut the score in half but Chicago’s keeper stood tall with strong hands to make a 1v1 save on the rushing attacker. The Minnesota side continued to press but couldn’t find a finish in the final third and the game finished 2-0 in favor of Chicago. The win puts Fire Juniors on top of Group A and into tomorrow’s semifinals where they will face Group C winners, Internationals 02 Blue (OH-N).
17U Boys
In a tight 17U Boys matchup, CRSA 2002 Black (IA) came out victors with a 2-1 win over KC Fusion Precacademy 02 (KS). After a scoreless first half, CRSA’s Murphy Levi opened the scoring. A ball over the top fell to a CRSA striker who was wiped out by the KC keeper. Advantage was played as the ball fell into the path of Levi who was rushing towards goal for the finish. KC Fusion got on the board after earning a free kick just shortly across the midway line. KC’s Grant Harkins stepped up and launched a hopeful ball into the box that bounced through a crowd untouched, and into the net beyond the frozen CRSA keeper. CRSA’s Kisibo Kasha gave his team all three points as he scored just before the final whistle. The win sealed CRSA into the semifinals as the Group C winners and, despite the loss, KC also advances into the wildcard spot thanks to the goal differential tiebreaker over Group A’s runner-up 02 Salvo White (MN).
18U Girls
Tempest FC Revolution (IN) earned a, 3-1, victory over Puma FC Pre Academy Flamengo (KS) to seal its spot in one of the 18U Girls semifinals. Tempest started fast and forced Puma keeper, Alexis Harrington, into a 1v1 save. Tempest kept the pressure on and Mackenzie Kent got down the right flank and hit a shot just wide of the far post. Kent kept being a nuisance to the defenders as she raced down the left side and got to the endline. Kent hit a cutback pass back into the center of the box and Erin Huber outraced a defender to the ball to finish the chance. Tempset increased the lead to 2-0 before half when a ball popped out to the top of the box and Megan Heeke smacked a shot to the bottom corner beyond a diving Harrington. Tempest’s keeper, Molly Wachsmann, did her part to keep the clean sheet through the halftime whistle. Puma cut into the lead midway through the second half thanks to a goal from Mary Hungerford but Tempest’s Kent responded in the 83rd minute to bring the final score to 3-1.
19U Girls
FC Lake County (IL) is headed to tomorrow’s 19U Girls final after a 2-1 victory over CV Select (IA). Lake Country started with a bang, scoring two goals in under five minutes. Maura Fitzgerald scored in the opening minute of play and then Grace Hermann scored just three minutes later to give Lake County a 2-0 advantage early in the match. Play went back and forth and CV Select finally broke the deadlock in the 93rd minute. It was little too late, as the match ended 2-1 and Lake Country advances to the final on the head-to-head tiebreaker. The Illinois side will get a second shot at Topeka Select Elite Academy (KS) after a loss in yesterday’s match. To win, Lake County will have to breach the Topeka defense which has yet to concede a goal through three matches.
Note: The US Youth Soccer Presidents Cup is a separate series of events from the US Youth Soccer National Championship Series.
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About the US Youth Soccer Presidents Cup – The US Youth Soccer Presidents Cup is designed for those teams seeking additional challenges to play against teams of similar abilities for a national title. The cup provides a progressive, competitive experience to teams that might not otherwise get the opportunity to participate in a series of unique experiences highlighting competition, camaraderie and community from the state to regional to national levels of US Youth Soccer.
About the United States Youth Soccer Association (US Youth Soccer) – US Youth Soccer, the largest youth sport organization in the country, is on a mission to make soccer the preeminent youth sport in the country. US Youth Soccer registers 3 million players annually, ages 5 to 19. Through its programming, resources and leadership, US Youth Soccer is advancing the game for its 55 Member State Associations, 10,000 clubs and leagues and nearly 1 million administrators, coaches and volunteers. US Youth Soccer connects families and communities to the power of sports and its shared love of soccer. US Youth Soccer provides a path for every player, offering programs that provide a fun, safe and healthy environment for players at every level of the game. For more information, visit www.USYouthSoccer.org.
