With the Fall season of the USYS National League Conferences, Managed by EDP Soccer, coming to a close, this past weekend saw several crucial games that may decide the outcomes of the division.
The National League Conferences provide competing teams the opportunity to qualify for the 2022 USYS Eastern Regional Championships through league play and also a chance to earn their place in the 2022-2023 season of the prestigious USYS National League P.R.O. competition.
See recaps of some the matches: (as of scores entered 11/1/21):
US YOUTH SOCCER NORTH ATLANTIC CONFERENCE
In the 14U Boys Academy Division, the first and second place teams coming into the weekend were USYS Eastern Regional Champion Brentwood SC 2008 Premier Man City and Connecticut State Cup Champion AC Connecticut B08 EDP National. With Brentwood on 18 points and AC Connecticut on 16 points, the match had huge implications with just a couple games left this Fall.
In the first half, Brentwood opened the scoring on a goal by Alija Gardener, but AC scored to tie the game shortly after. Brentwood’s Gabriel Ruiz scored on a penalty shot to put his side back in front, but minutes later AC scored off of a free kick as the game went into halftime tied 2-2. In the second half, Brentwood went ahead 3-2 off a goal by Diego Argueta and then Oscar Alvarenga scored off a free kick to make the game 4-2. Near the end of the game, Argueta scored again to put the game out of reach and seal the 5-2 Brentwood win.
In the 14U Girls Premier I Division, FC Somers Lady Hammers entered the weekend a perfect 4-0-0 with a chance of coming a point away from being able to clinch the division's top spot. The side faced a tough CT Rush NY Stateline team who was looking to earn its first win of the season after two losses and two draws in which it allowed just three goals. FC Somers showed its quality, winning the match 5-0 and setting up an important match with Auburndale Strikers as it closes out the season.
“We are very happy with the position we have put ourselves in to claim our third successive Premier I title,” FC Somers coach Milan Davidovic said. ”However, our primary goals are to keep improving all aspects of the team and enjoying our game of ball every week."
All scores for the North Atlantic Conference can be found here.
To learn more about the North Atlantic Conference, please visit https://www.usysnationalleague.com/north-atlantic-conference/
US YOUTH SOCCER MID ATLANTIC CONFERENCE
In the 14U Boys Premier I Division, Eastern Pennsylvania State Cup Champion Lehigh Valley United entered the weekend on 15 points as it took on second-place Ironbound SC 2008 United, who was on 13 points with a game in hand.
First-place LVU stayed on top of the standings with a 3-0 win with goals scored by Logan Mesics, Jake Cooke and Nico Bustos. Shane Brobst kept the clean sheet in goal.
“Every time we see Ironbound on the schedule, we know it will be a hard fought game,” said LVU team manager Eric Mesics. “Today’s game was no different.”
In the 13U Girls Premier I Division, first-place Lower Merion SC Lynx and second-place NJ Blaze 09 were rained out on Sunday, and with West Mont United defeating Lower Merion on Saturday, it is now a three-way race at the top of the table. Lower Merion SC now has 15 points, and NJ Blaze and West Mont both with 14 points.
All scores for the Mid Atlantic Conference can be found here.
To learn more about the Mid Atlantic Conference, please visit https://www.usysnationalleague.com/mid-atlantic-conference/
US YOUTH SOCCER NEW ENGLAND CONFERENCE
In the 14U Boys Premier I Division, three teams entered the weekend tied on 16 points. One of those teams — NEFC Bristol County Taunton 2008 NL Elite Red — faced off with Juventus Academy Boston RI 2008 Boys Bianco. The match saw both teams exchange a series of excellent chances in the first half, but they came up empty-handed and went to halftime in a scoreless tie.
Striker Grant Emerhi put NEFC on the board within the first few minutes of the second half. He then followed up with a second goal midway through the second half to put NEFC up, 2-0.
Juventus RI continued to battle and got itself on the board with 10 minutes to play. But, in the end, NEFC managed to hold on and secure the three points.
In the 14U Girls Premier I Division, 2021 Eastern Regional Champion New England Surf Navy’s game against CFC North 2008 Regional was rained out, while CT Rush defeated AC Connecticut to move into second place — just two points behind New England Surf.
All scores for the New England Conference can be found here.
To learn more about the New England Conference, please visit https://www.usysnationalleague.com/new-england-conference/
US YOUTH SOCCER SOUTH ATLANTIC CONFERENCE
In the 14U Boys Premier I Division, Baltimore Crew FC 08 entered the match against Coppermine SC Boys 2008 needing a win to secure first place for the fall season. However, Coppermine SC controlled the match and ended up with a 5-0 win to keep the race for the top spot in the table wide open. Coppermine was led by Judah Pritchett (2 goals, 1 assist), Baber Toure (1 goal, 1 assist), Freddy Funez (1 goal, 1 assist), Bobby Cheswick (1 goal) and Leandro Llosa (1 assist).
“We knew that this was not going to be an easy game. The Baltimore Crew is a very fast and physical team,” said Yassine Iguidre, the Coppermine SC Boys Director of Coaching and coach of the 08 Boys team. “We knew going into this game that it was crucial for us to dominate the center of the pitch and that's exactly what our midfielders did.
“Eight minutes before halftime, Judah Pritchett and Baber Toure connected for a beautiful goal, with Toure heading the ball back post to find the back of the net. Then the two reconnected again just four minutes later, this time with Judah finding the back of net from 30 yards out, which set the momentum for the rest of the game.”
Coppermine's Judah Pritchett added that “it was a complete team effort. Every player did their part and it paid off.”
In the 14U Girls Premier I Division, Penn FC Youth 2008F Black and Keystone FC Premier 08G came into the match tied for second place with 13 points and just one point behind Coppermine SC Girls 2008 Premier. After a hard fought even match, the game ended tied at 2-2.
"While not always aesthetically pleasing soccer, the game was highly competitive,” said Keystone FC coach Kevin McKee, “which is to be expected for a game of this magnitude with the division title on the line."
All scores for the South Atlantic Conference can be found here.
To learn more about the South Atlantic Conference, please visit https://www.usysnationalleague.com/south-atlantic-conference/