Four New Jersey Youth Soccer teams secured a spot in the US Youth Soccer National Presidents Cup after reaching the Eastern Presidents Cup Finals on Tuesday, with two of those teams claiming the championship in their respective age groups. Lifting the trophy was Valencia SA Black (14U Boys) and Ocean Township United SA Warriors Red (16U Boys), while Parsippany Soccer Club Academy Blue (13U Boys) and Deptford SA Premier (17U Boys) also represented New Jersey as finalists.
By reaching the last day of the regional competition, which was hosted in West Virginia, all four teams have officially secured a spot in the USYS National Presidents Cup next month in Wichita, Kansas.
Valencia SA Black faced Real Elite FC 2010 Boys White (MD) in the 14U Boys Final, blanking the Maryland side by a tally of 3-0. The clean slate was their fourth in five matches, and they finished the tournament with an incredible 23-1 goal differential. Prior to the championship match, Valencia SA Black netted four goals en route to a 4-1 semifinal win over Herndon 2010B FC Red (VA) on Monday. They opened the tournament by winning their group on three consecutive wins, outscoring the opposition by a count of 16-0.
Ocean Township United SA Warriors Red also exited West Virginia with a trophy after topping Keystone FC Elite Blue 08B (PAE) in the 16U Boys Final, 4-2. That win came on the heels of a 5-1 result over FC Alliance 2008B (WV) in the tournament semifinals. Ocean earned a top seed in the elimination rounds after winning their group on six points (2-1 record), securing the tiebreaker with a 5-2 goal differential.
Parsippany Soccer Club Academy Blue (13U Boys) was dominant over their first four games in West Virginia, recording four consecutive shutouts. They won their group with three wins and a phenomenal goal differential of 16-0. They continued that momentum into the semifinals and blanked LMVSC 2011 Boys Red (VA) by a tally of 1-0. In the 13U Boys Final, they ultimately got bested by Group B winner Hulmeville SC Demons (PAE), 2-0.
Deptford SA Premier punched their ticket to the 17U Boys Final after earning a hard-fought 1-0 victory over McLean Youth Soccer 2007 Boys Green (VA) in the tournament semifinals. They qualified for the elimination rounds after finishing second in their group on seven points (2-0-1 record), scoring eight times while allowing a single goal over three matches. In the 17U Final, they matched up with SAC Boys 2007 Premier Blue (MD) and fell by the slimmest of margins, 1-0.
Hosted by US Youth Soccer, the Presidents Cup provides a progressive, competitive environment for teams seeking a series of unique challenges highlighting competition, camaraderie and community.
