The Cedar Stars North 19U Boys came all the way back from a late 2-0 deficit to overtake Libertyville FC 1974 Elite of Illinois in the US Youth Soccer National Championship Final on Sunday, enabling the New Jersey team to complete a perfect postseason run as USYS 19U Boys National Champions. Cedar Stars North joins The Football Academy Black 13U Boys as New Jersey representatives who earned a USYS National Championship following the conclusion of the national tournament, which was hosted at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando, Florida.
Cedar Stars North has repeatedly proven throughout the postseason that they are never out of a match, despite what the scoreline may say, and Sunday was no different. Down 2-0 in the 72nd minute, Cedar Stars North broke through following a well-struck volley that was sent forward from Kwaku Agyabeng at the midfield, finding the feet of Cristian Oliveira. After settling the ball, Oliveira touched into the middle of the box before changing direction and slotting his shot inside the near post, just as the Libertyville FC goalkeeper began to lean in the opposite direction.
The game-tying goal came 10 minutes later on a free kick that was placed just outside the top of the 18. Stepping over the ball was Agyabeng, who hit a perfectly struck ball that sailed over the Libertyville FC wall and curled into the upper left 90 of the netting. The golazo equalized for Cedar Stars North, 2-2, and set up the match for a dramatic finish.
The game reached that ultimate peak in stoppage time, as Harrison Garcia sent a left-footed ball towards the frame as he was losing his balance. The strike somehow found a lane through the opposing defense and bounced its way into the back of the net, sending the Cedar Stars North players and sideline into an uproar. After locking in defensively and preserving the 3-2 result through the remaining minutes of stoppage time, the Cedar Stars North 19U Boys were officially USYS National Champions. The win brings the James P. McGuire Cup home to New Jersey, which is the oldest trophy in youth sports.
The postseason journey for Cedar Stars North began with a NJYS State Cup Championship this past spring before they won six consecutive matches to claim the USYS Eastern Regional Championship for their age group. Over the course of the Eastern Regional Championships and National Championships, Cedar Stars North went undefeated and won 11 straight games. The victory on Sunday completed a perfect postseason campaign for the New Jersey side.
Also competing for a USYS National Championship on Sunday was The Football Academy Black 14U Boys, who battled Ponys FC 2010 of Illinois for the ultimate crown in their age group. The Football Academy Black put forth an incredible performance and fought all the way until the final whistle, but their national championship pursuit came up just short when the game concluded in favor of Ponys FC, 3-2.
The Football Academy Black 14U Boys arrived at the tournament final after going to penalty kicks against Yardley Makefield Soccer 2010 Boys Premier United in the semifinals. That game eventually concluded with The Football Academy Black outscoring Yardley Makefield in extended kicks, 9-8. Prior to the semifinals, the New Jersey representative went unbeaten in group play, earning seven points on a cumulative 2-0-1 record to claim the top spot in their bracket.
The USYS National Championships Presented by New York Life are the final stage of the USYS National Championships, which begin at the state level before progressing to the regional and then national stages. The event is a culmination of a year-long series of competitions, providing approximately 185,000 players on 10,000 teams from US Youth Soccer’s 54 State Associations with the opportunity to showcase their soccer skills against the best competition in the nation.
