2010 National Cup IX Finals in Virginia Beach finish, U-13 through U-17 boys’ champions crowned

A total of 10 U-13 through U-17 boys’ teams have been crowned national champions in two competitive divisions at the 2010 National Cup IX Finals, held July 30-Aug. 2 at the Hampton Roads Soccer Complex in Virginia Beach, Va.

Teams from eight different states claimed national championships and lifted the Doug Hamilton Memorial Cup during the boys’ event. That group included U-15 Premier Group champions Abunai SA ’95, which defeated Team America Premier FC Barcelona 2-0 to become the first team from Hawaii to claim a National Cup title since 2005.

 
“No one capitalized in the first half of the game today, but with 16 minutes left in the game, we were able to get a cross over to the left side and our left wing was able to finish,” said Darrin Goo, coach of Abunai SA ’95. “The game went back and forth, but we were then able to get a free kick from 20 yards out on the left side and we did a square pass to one of our defenders and he dribbled through some defenders and got the ball into the corner of the net.

“Hopefully we’ll be back next year because the kids really enjoyed the experiences in Seattle and Virginia. It was a fantastic venue and a great competition. It’s always nice to see East Coast teams since we usually stay in the western states. It was a great experience for the kids and I think they’ll take it with them for many years.”

In all, nine different clubs claimed at least one national title, including a pair from Chicago Magic SC, which became the only club to earn multiple national championships at either the boys’ or girls’ National Cup IX Finals. Chicago Magic saw its teams win championships in the U-14 and U-15 Super Groups.

In the U-17 Super Group, Pittsgrove Regional champions MPS Boston Bulldogs earned the national title with a 4-0 victory over LaGrangeville Regional champions Synergy FC 92/93.

“Our work rate and our shape defensively were major factors in the result and we were clinical in front of the goal today,” said MPS Boston Bulldogs coach Joe Bradley. “We’re delighted with the result. Winning a national championship was one of the goals we set for ourselves at the start of the season and we’re delighted to be here and delighted to have won the Super Group.”

For the third successive year, the Hampton Roads Soccer Complex played host to the National Cup IX Finals, which serves as the culminating event of US Club Soccer’s signature national championship competition. The 2010 National Cup IX also included 11 Regionals held throughout the country from Memorial Day weekend through mid-July.

For a complete listing of boys’ national champions and championship game scores, please see below:

2010 National Cup IX Finals Champions & Game Scores – Boys:

U-13 Boys Super Group:  Sockers FC Cup (Ill.)
Sockers FC Cup (Ill.) 3, Juventus Forza SC (Calif.) 0

U-13 Boys Premier:  Colorado Storm ‘97 Royal (Colo.)
Colorado Storm ’97 Royal (Colo.) 6, STN Rangers (Pa.) 0

U-14 Boys Super Group:  Chicago Magic SC Pre-Academy (Ill.)
Chicago Magic SC Pre-Academy (Ill.) 1, Sacramento United Reds (Calif.) 0

U-14 Boys Premier:  California Odyssey (Calif.)
California Odyssey (Calif.) 4, Laurel Knights FC (Md.) 0

U-15 Boys Super Group:  Chicago Magic SC Pre-Academy (Ill.)
Chicago Magic SC Pre-Academy (Ill.) 1, Union Independiente FC (Calif.) 1
(Chicago Magic claims championship on penalties)

U-15 Boys Premier:  Abunai SA ’95 (Hawaii)
Abunai SA ’95 (Hawaii) 2, Team America Premier FC Barcelona (Va.) 0

U-16 Boys Super Group:  Marlton SC Lightning Red (N.J.)
Marlton SC Lightning Red (N.J.) 3, Ajax FC Chicago (Ill.) 2

U-16 Boys Premier:  SWFL United SA 93/94 (Fla.)
SWFL United SA 93/94 (Fla.) 2, Rio Vista FC ‘94 (N.M.) 1 - OT

U-17 Boys Super Group:  MPS Boston Bulldogs (Mass.)
MPS Boston Bulldogs (Mass.) 4, Synergy FC 92/93 (Vt.) 0

U-17 Boys Premier:  Empire United SA Rochester (N.Y.)
Empire United SA Rochester (N.Y.) 1, North Star SC (Pa.) 0