LOUDOUN COUNTY, Virginia (June 29, 2023) – More than 250 teams competed June 23-29 at the Eastern Regional Championships in Loudoun County, Virginia. Games were played at the the Hanson Regional Park in Aldie and Bolen Memorial Park in Leesburg with a trip to the National Championships on the line.
New York East and Eastern Pennsylvania had the strongest showing of USYS’ 15 Eastern State Associations, with each having five champions crowned. Maryland (2), New Jersey (1), Virginia (1), Massachusetts (1), and New York West (1) also had winning teams.
Matthew Mannina, head coach of Stony Brook LGN – Wildlings Blue B2008 (NY-E), reflected on his team winning a second consecutive Eastern Regional Championship title.
“We have veterans on the team that were able to experience winning this last year, but we’re even more excited for the new guys that were not able to experience it but did get to partake in winning the championship this year.”
Dylan Lopez and James Schneider, two standout players for Wildlings, shared what they had to do to reach these heights again this year.
“For the past week, we’ve been training under the heat, for three hours a day,” Lopez said. “Just preparing, running, sprinting, doing drills to prepare us for this week.”
Schneider cited his team’s bond as a big reason for their success.
“Our team chemistry was tight and our defense throughout the entire tournament was lock-down.” Wildlings only gave up one goal throughout its six-game run to the championship.
Look back at the Eastern Regional Championship Winners…
| Age Group | Champions | Finalists |
|---|---|---|
| 12U | The Football Academy NJ 2011 Boys Black (NJ) | Springfield SYC Soccer 2011 Boys (VA) |
| 13U | Gunners Soccer Kids 2010 Blue (NY-E) | Virginia Rush 2010B (VA) |
| 14U | Manassas Soccer Club 09 Gold (VA) | FC Europa 2009 Boys Elite (EPA) |
| 15U | Stony Brook LGN SC – Wildlings Blue B2008 (NY-E) | Lower Merion SC FCE 2008 Thunder (EPA) |
| 16U | Keystone FC Premier 07B (EPA) | Bethesda SC Blue 2007 (MD) |
| 17U | Dix Hills SC EST Ultimatum B2006 (NY-E) | CT Rush Select 2006 Boys (CT) |
| 18U | New England Surf State Navy 2005 Boys (MA) | Philadelphia Ukrainian Nationals Elite 64 05B (EPA) |
| 19U | FC Somers Arsenal-P (NY-E) | South Shore Futbol Club Bulldogs United B2004 (NY-E) |
*13-19U Champions will advance to the National Championships.
| Age Group | Champions | Finalists |
|---|---|---|
| 12U | Western New York Flash 11G (NY-W) | SCS United 2011 Girls Black (PA-W) |
| 13U | Keystone FC Premier 10G (EPA) | BVB International Academy – Pittsburgh 10G Premier (PA-W) |
| 14U | Reading Rage SC ’09 Pugh (EPA) | South Shore Futbol Club Futbol Legacy G2009 (NY-E) |
| 15U | FC Frederick ’08 Girls (MD) | Keystone FC Premier 08G (EPA) |
| 16U | Penn FC Youth 2007 F Black (EPA) | Seacoast United Mass South 2007 Elite Girls DPL (MA) |
| 17U | Keystone FC Premier 06G (EPA) | Force FC G2006 NL (NY-E) |
| 18U | Middle Country SC SBMC 05 (NY-E) | BVBIA WV 2005G (WV) |
| 19U | Bethesda SC E 2004 (MD) | Liverpool FCIA Central MD 2004 Girls (MD) |
*13-19U Champions will advance to the National Championships.
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About the US Youth Soccer National Championship Series
The US Youth Soccer (USYS) National Championship Series provides more than 10,000 teams from USYS’s 54 State Associations the opportunity to showcase their abilities against the best in the nation, while emphasizing teamwork, discipline, and fair play. The yearlong competition begins with over 185,000 players in the USYS State Championships. State champions, along with selected representatives from the USYS National League Conferences, advance to compete in one of four USYS Regional Championships. In each gender age group, the four USYS Regional Champions, along with 12 qualifiers from USYS National League P.R.O. in the 14U-19U age groups, compete for the ultimate crown at the USYS National Championships. Overall, the USYS National Championship Series provides the nation’s top collegiate coaches with the premier stage to identify and scout the most coveted players in the country. For more information, visit https://www.usyouthsoccer.org/national-championship-series/.
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 nearly 2.5 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 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.
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