TAMPA, Fla. (July 16, 2025) – The US Youth Soccer National Presidents Cup concluded earlier this week following five exciting days of action in Tampa, Fla.
Fourteen new champions were crowned after teams in the 13U, 14U, 15U, 16U, 17U, 18U, and 19U age groups each won titles over the last two days of the event. Teams in Tampa qualified for National Presidents Cup after winning both their State Presidents Cup and finishing in the top two of their regional events earlier this summer.
Many storylines took shape throughout the week, including that of the Dakota Fusion Academy 2010 Girls (ND). The North Dakota side arrived in Tampa as the first-ever team from the Peace Garden State to reach the stage and made sure to make it count. Fusion outscored its opponents 14 to 3 in its five games, which included a 3-0 shutout in the 15U final.
Dakota Fusion coach Jon Melendez-Soloaga reflected on making history with his team and what it would mean for everyone else back home in North Dakota.
“For the players at home, everything is possible if you put the time in the training ground. This is a two-year process making it to here. We train, we compete, and the girls performed today.”
Karlin Wurlitzer and her Leahi ’12 Premier Green (HI) team also made history after winning the 13U Girls division. Wurlitzer won a National Presidents Cup title as a player in 2015 with Leahi 00 Premier (HI) and returned 10 years later to accomplish the remarkable feat of winning as a coach, too.
Reflecting on both of her trips to National Presidents Cup, Wurlitzer shared her thoughts on the event and its growth in the last decade.
“This tournament, since I’ve been here, so much is different. The quality of the teams was better, the venue was amazing – it was just an amazing experience to come back.”
In addition to North Dakota and Hawaii, Colorado, Eastern Pennsylvania (2), Florida, Idaho (2), Illinois, Iowa, Louisiana, Oregon and Utah (2) each had teams crowned champions.
| Champions | Finalists | |
| 13U Boys | 7 Elite Academy 12B Copa South (UT) | Lakeshore United FC U13B Navy 2012 (WI) |
| 13U Girls | Leahi ’12 Premier Green (HI) | Real Futbol Academy 2013 (NJ) |
| 14U Boys | Vail Valley SC 2011 Boys Navy (CO) | Chelsea East 11B Barrios (NTX) |
| 14U Girls | United Futbol Academy DSM 2011 Girls Elite (IA) | Old Bridge SC Thunder (NJ) |
| 15U Boys | Milan De Miami Premier 2010 (FL) | United Futbol Academy DSM 2010 Boys Elite (IA) |
| 15U Girls | Dakota Fusion Academy 2010 Girls (ND) | Whatcom FC Rangers – G10 Gold (WA) |
| 16U Boys | New Orleans Spartans 09B (LA) | Aggies FC 09B White (UT) |
| 16U Girls | Rapids SC 2009/2010G – Premier (ID) | Keystone Premier 09G (EPA) |
| 17U Boys | Capital FC 08B Black (OR) | Ocean Township United SA 2008B Warriors Red (NJ) |
| 17U Girls | CGA Elite 08/09G (ID) | FC Stars 2008G Academy (IL) |
| 18U Boys | AJFC 07/08 (IL) | Lee County Strikers 07/08 (FL) |
| 18U Girls | Cannons 07/08G (PA-E) | Chicagoland United SC 07G Premier OP (IL) |
| 19U Boys | LMSC 07 (PA-E) | Spartans FC Havasu Lions Academy 07B (AZ) |
| 19U Girls | Rebel Elite 07 Black (UT) | Raptors – Crystal Lake Force 06/07G (IL) |
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 provide world-class support, resources, and leadership, helping every member fulfill their goals on and off the field of play. US Youth Soccer registers 2.68 million players annually. Through its programming, resources and leadership, US Youth Soccer is advancing the game for its 54 Member State Associations, 10,000 clubs and leagues and one 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, coach and referee offering programs that provide a fun, safe and healthy environment at every level of the game.
