OVERLAND PARK, Kan. (June 13, 2019) – The 2019 US Youth Soccer Midwest Presidents Cup presented by Chipotle is now underway in Overland Park, Kan. The five-day event, which takes place June 13-17, kicked off Thursday with 13U through 19U Boys and Girls teams starting the action at the Overland Park Soccer Complex.
The event features more than 130 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.
Preliminary games will continue through Saturday, June 15. Semifinal matches will take place on Sunday, June 16. Regional champions will be crowned following final matches on Sunday, June 16 as well as Monday, June 17.
Kansas State Youth Soccer Association is hosting the event, and the 13 other Midwest Region State Associations include Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Minnesota, Michigan, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio South, Ohio North, South Dakota and Wisconsin.
IP Aces Blue (IL) comes into the event as the only defending National Presidents Cup champion in attendance and knows it will be a challenge to continue to earn wins with a target on its back. Coach Dwayne Cruz talked about how his players are embracing the challenge.
“We do think we have a target and even winning Presidents Cup in Illinois was difficult for us this year as everyone knew we were National Presidents Cup champs and we could hear them whispering it on the sidelines,” said IP Ace Blue Head Coach Dwayne Cruz. “It’s huge to get three points in the first game to put ourselves in a good position. These girls really want to defend their title as much as possible and are really motivated to defend it. The whole thing just has us really pumped.”
The US Youth Soccer Presidents Cup offers teams the challenge of experiencing different types of play by competing from state to regional to national levels. The Presidents Cup provides teams with a progressive, competitive experience that highlights competition, camaraderie and community.
Notes from a few of today's games:
13U Girls
In Group A, Lexington Football Club (KY) defeated JUSC Premier (IA), 2-1, in the opening day of play. Lexington’s Allyson Nowlin put her team ahead in the 26th minute with the lone goal in the first half, scoring off a penalty kick. Ella Vanhooser scored in the 44th minute to give Kentucky a two-goal advantage but JUSC battled back and earned a goal of its own just four minutes later as Anna Baker found the back of the net. With the lead cut in half, Lexington held on to earn a 2-1 victory and an important three points.
14U Boys
DASC 05 (SD) showed some amazing grit and determination as it earned a 2-1 victory over LG Celtics First XI 05 (IL). After a scoreless first half, LG seemed to be determined to light up the scoreboard in the second half. LG’s first great chance came after some great passing, the LG player got around the keeper but his shot went just wide of the post. The Illinois side peppered the DASC goal but couldn’t seem to land a shot on target. DASC took advantage and made its first real opportunity in the second half pay off as Byron Ochoa found Mitchell Mueller with a pass across the box for a finish. After a few good saves by Carter Locy, LG finally got on the board. A converted penalty kick by Benjamin Swicionis leveled the two sides at one-a-piece in the 54th minute. LG had a chance to take the lead just a few minutes later but the chance was saved off the line by a DASC defender. After absorbing the pressure, the South Dakota team exploded out on a break. Ochoa found Jamison Wear who dribbled around the keeper and was tripped in the process. Dominic Ripperda made no mistakes finishing the chance and gave DASC what would be the winning goal in the 70th minute.
15U Boys
In a rematch of last year’s Midwest group stage, SLSG 2004 Real Madrid (MO) and Tempo Thunderbolts (SC) played to a 0-0 draw in this year’s contest. After a scoreless first half, both teams pressed for goals in the second half knowing how important three points can be on the first day of play. SLSG had a great chance early but a huge block by defender Tanner Meyers denied the chance. The second half was full to end-to-end action and just shortly after the previous chance, Tempo was in the SLSG end. Tempo got the ball into the SLSG box but Phillip Grimes blocked the Tempo scoring chance. Tempo began pushing more after going up a man and almost broke through as Jack Lloyd got in on goal but SLSG’s Cade Jackson smothered Lloyd’s shot. Tempo couldn’t repeat its 1-0 victory from 2018 and both teams leave the game with one point after the draw.
16U Girls
After a scoreless first half, the defending Midwest Regional and National Presidents Cup Champions, IP Aces Blue (IL), roared to life to defeat Lakeshore United FC Navy (WI), 5-0. Aces got the five goals from four different goal scorers including a brace from Ella Laera. Laera started the scoring in the 43rd minute and then Caroline Sexton and Kala Askew scored to make it 3-0. Laera added her second and Kalie Schreiner scored late to seal the final score at 5-0. The win gives Aces three points on its road to repeat as National Presidents Cup champions.
17U Boys
NFC Red 02 (NE) struggled to find a win in last year’s Midwest Presidents Cup but opened their 2019 account with a 1-0 victory over TC Storm 02/03 (ND). The game’s lone first half goal came on a shot from Alan Mendoza Ortega in the 30th minute as his strike from outside the box found the back of the net. In a close half with chances on both ends, NFC took a 1-0 lead into halftime. NFC almost increased its lead midway through the second half but a well-struck shot hit the far post and bounced safely away. TC Storm continued to put its own pressure on and had its best chance in the second half off some great combination passing up the right side of the field. A cutback pass found an open TC storm player but the attempt sailed over the bar. Each side kept pressing and, at the final whistle, NFC held its 1-0 lead and goes into the second day with an important three points from Day One.
18U Girls
Kolping Kicks SC – Doggendorf (MO) is back at regionals after finishing second in its group last year and kicked-off its 2019 regional event against North Shore United (WI). North Short pressured early but some great defensive martialing by Kolping’s Grace Deister and Kaitlin Capkovic helped snuff out and meaningful North Shore attacks. Kolping settled down, began to control a majority of the possession, and caused North Shore’s Caterina LaMacchia to make a couple key saves to keep the game level. Kolping final got on the scoresheet thanks to a goal in the 75th minute by Lauren Halamicek. When it looked as if Kolping may get all three points on the day, North Shore’s Jane Martin found the back of the net in the 90th minute to level the score and to snatch a point heading into Day Two.
19U Boys
The 19U Boys age group saw four winners through its four games at the end of the day. Missouri Rush United Ferguson (MO) and TC Storm 00/01 (N) were the winners on Day One in Group A with 7-0 and 2-0 wins, respectively. Group B had two tight matches with only one goal separating the sides in each game. OFC18 Academy (KS) won 1-0 over SASA Spirits (IL). SASA had shouts for a tying goal in the second half but the call stood for offside. In the other Group B match, Port Breakers (WI) earned a two goal leag the TFA 00 Elite (OH-S) couldn't overcome despite scoring a late 90th minute consolation goal.
For complete event results for the Midwest Presidents Cup, click here. For more information on all US Youth Soccer Regional and National Presidents Cup events, visit the US Youth Soccer Presidents Cup Homepage at www.usyouthsoccer.org/presidents-cup.
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.