Orlando, Fla. (July 29, 2024)– Fourteen teams etched their name in youth sport history Sunday afternoon at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando, Fla., putting the final touches on the 2024 US Youth Soccer National Championships, presented by New York Life.
The week-long event brought an estimated 8,700 people to the Greater Orlando area as 174 teams competed to take home USYS’ storied hardware, including the 19U Boys James P. McGuire Cup – the oldest trophy in youth sport – during its golden anniversary. Throughout the event, 118 matches were streamed, in addition to six finals (13U Boys and Girls, 18U Boys and Girls and 19U Boys and Girls) being broadcast on either ESPNU or ESPNews.
The teams left standing at the final whistles hailed from nine different US Youth Soccer State Associations: Florida (2), Illinois (2), Michigan (2), New Jersey (2), South Texas (2), Kansas (1), Nevada (1), North Carolina (1), and Utah (1).
| Champions | Finalists | |
| 13U Boys | The Football Academy NJ 11B Black (NJ) | Bloomingdale Lightning FC Premiership 11 (IL) |
| 14U Boys | Ponys FC 2010 (IL) | The Football Academy 2010 Boys Black (NJ) |
| 15U Boys | Aspire FC 09B Black NLFC (TX-S) | Miami Breakers FC 2009 Black (FL) |
| 16U Boys | Utah Celtic FC 08 Boys (UT) | Galaxy SC 08B Elite 64 (IL) |
| 17U Boys | Toca FC 07B Elite 64 (KS) | Hoosier FC 2007 Elite Wolves I (IN) |
| 18U Boys | Strikers Miami FC 2006 Elite (FL) | Kansas Rush Academy 2006 (KS) |
| 19U Boys | Cedar Stars Academy 05/06B Elite 64 (NJ) | Libertyville FC 1974 Elite (IL) |
| Champions | Finalists | |
| 13U Girls | HTX 12 (TX-S) | Columbus United G’11 Lions (OH) |
| 14U Girls | Galaxy SC 10G NL (IL) | Columbus United G’10 Lions (OH) |
| 15U Girls | Las Vegas Surf Soccer Club 09G Elite 64 (NV) | MIFC 2009 Girls (FL) |
| 16U Girls | Team Boca 08G Elite 64 (FL) | Fort Wayne United 08G Elite 64 (IN) |
| 17U Girls | Nationals Union 07 Girls Black (MI) | Aztec Girls 2007 (MA) |
| 18U Girls | NCFC Youth 06G Elite (NC) | Wheaton United 2006G Academy (IL) |
| 19U Girls | Michigan Rangers FC 05/06G Elite 64 (MI) | Fort Wayne United 05/06G Elite 64 (IN) |
This year’s National Championships featured a long list of storylines to track from the opening kick.
The Utah Celtic FC 08 Boys were one of seven defending champions back with a chance to claim their spot on top – and the only ones able to do so. Celtic made it through their group stage unscathed with wins against Torpedoes BU16 (NJ) and Coppermine SC Boys 08B Elite 64 (MD), as well as a draw in its final game against Kansas Rush Academy Boys 2008 (KS), sealing its spot in the 16U Boys semifinals.
It then took two shutout victories against Stony Brook – LGN Wildings Blue B2008 (NY-E) and Galaxy SC 08B Elite 64 (IL) for the defending champions to go back to back.
After coming up just short last year, the Ponys FC 2010 Boys (IL) were back in the National Championship with hopes of a different outcome. In a wild game that featured multiple late, dramatic shifts, the Ponys came out on top in penalties against the The Football Academy 2010 Boys Black (NJ) in the 14U Boys final to complete the job.
On the girls’ side, Las Vegas Surf SC 09G Elite 64 (NV) had a dominant five-game run to claim the National Championship. The Nevada side used both a potent offense and stifling defense to outscore its opponents 27-2 to take home the 15-and-Under Girls Cup. Gloria Vancura, a member of the Surf team, talked about what this week has meant for her.
“It feels amazing because we’ve been training so hard all through the summer and our hard work has paid off,” Vancura said. “It’s been great – it’s been like nothing I’ve ever experienced before. It’s eye-opening to see all these talented players and be able to learn from them on and off the field. For us to be here, it’s a huge accomplishment and it means the world to us as a team and as a club.”
Also capping off a dominant run – but this one measured in years, not games – was Team Boca 08G Elite 64 (FL). The Floridian side was able to earn its second National Championship, as well as having a semi-finalist finish, in the last four years after bestingFort Wayne United 08G Elite 64 (IN) 4-2in a close match during Sunday morning’s 16U Girls final.
The 2024 National Championships, presented by New York Life, signaled the end of a celebratory summer for US Youth Soccer and its signature events that create lifelong memories for all.
About 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 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.
