ORLANDO, Fla. (July 27, 2024) — The 2024 US Youth Soccer National Championships, presented by New York Life, continued Saturday in Orlando, Fla., as the teams that will vie for remaining National titles were determined during intense semifinal action.
In addition to the semifinals, Saturday morning also saw the 18U National Champions crowned. Sunshine Conference winner Strikers Miami FC 2006 Elite (FL) secured a 1-0 win in extra time to secure the 18U Boys National Championship.
“It feels amazing. Unbelievable. It’s crazy. I never thought I would be here,” said Strikers Miami forward Pedro Arrieta. “I was injured earlier this year, but we’re back and better, and we won the National Championship. I’m so happy. It’s an amazing, surreal feeling.”
In the 18U Girls final, Midwest Conference winner Wheaton United 2006G Academy made a frantic comeback to tie the match in stoppage time but eventually fell, 5-4, in extra time to NCFC Youth Elite (NC).
The 18U title-winners joined the 13U champions, who lifted their trophies on Friday night. A pair of National League sides — HTX 12 (TX-S) and The Football Academy NJ 11B Black (NJ) — won the girls and boys titles, respectively, in the event’s youngest age group.
After Saturday morning’s action, 20 teams now know they are one win away from joining the first four 2024 National Champions at the pinnacle of youth soccer.
The remaining National Championships finals include 19 teams that played in the National League during the 2023-24 season. The National League teams include nine sides that won their regular season division and seven sides that finished in second place.
Several of the remaining teams did well in National League P.R.O., as six won champions pool titles and two won their silver pool brackets.
Two clubs, Fort Wayne United (IN) and Galaxy SC (IL), have two teams in Sunday’s finals, while The Football Academy (NJ) has one team that will aim to add to the 13U Boys title the club claimed on Friday night.
To advance to the championship final, it takes hard work not only during the week in Orlando or across the season, but over the course of several years.
“Two years ago, we lost in the finals for State Cup,” said center back Finnley Crawford of Fort Wayne United 08G Elite 64 (IN). “Last year, we went into two overtimes in the State Cup final and went to Regionals, where we won one game and lost two. This year, we’re going to the National Championship final, so we’ve grown a lot.”
Ponys overcomes early deficit to earn return to final
For the second straight season, Ponys FC 2010 (IL) is heading to the National Championship final after it defeated Barca Academy Pro Miami B10 (FL), 3-1, on Saturday.
Barca took an 11th-minute lead behind a Mikhail Louis-Pierre goal, but Ponys responded late in the first half. Fabian Lopez equalized with a 34th minute strike, and Michael Panduro put the Illinois side in front when he scored three minutes later, just before the halftime whistle blew.
Geovanni Morales added an insurance goal in the 53rd minute, and Ponys secured the 3-1 win and a return trip to the National final — where the team will aim to capture the title after coming up just short a year ago.
“It feels really good to get back to the final after last year,” Panduro said. “We lost it last year, but we’re going to win it this year. We’re very thankful. It takes a lot of sacrifices, so we’re very glad to get back here.”
Fort Wayne United advances to the 16U Girls final
A pair of late first-half goals helped power Fort Wayne United 08G Elite 64 (IN) to a 3-1 win against Chattanooga Red Wolves 08G (TN) to advance to the 16U Girls championship game.
Braylee Morris netted an opener for Fort Wayne in the 39th minute, and Allison Heine doubled the advantage just minutes later when she found the back of the net in stoppage time.
Emily Betterton pulled a goal back for Chattanooga in the 58th minute, but Channing Xayarath added a late insurance goal for the Indiana side, as Fort Wayne held on for the victory.
“It took a lot of hard work to get here. Our coaches have done a really good job of helping us stay committed and picking up intensity during practice,” Fort Wayne center back Finnley Crawford said. “We’ve all just trusted each other through the process, with new girls coming into the team and a lot of girls who have been playing together for a while. Building that trust and connection has really helped us get this far.”
