Real Jersey FC Crowned 15U Boys National Champions
The US Youth Soccer (USYS) National Championships were held over the past week at the Scheels Overland Park Soccer Complex in Kansas, with NJ Youth Soccer teams being very well represented at the competition. Four NJ Youth Soccer teams advanced to the semifinal round of the tournament, with two of those sides then reaching the finals. The weekend ended on an extremely high note, as the Real Jersey FC 15U Boys emerged victorious as national champions in their age group.
“It feels great with everyone at home watching and supporting us,” said Braden Short, Real Jersey FC defender. “I have gotten hundreds of texts, and it is amazing. It is awesome to be here celebrating with my teammates. We are like a close family and best friends.”
2019 marked the third consecutive year that this group of Real Jersey FC players competed at the USYS National Championships. After advancing to the semifinals in 2017, the team reached the final last year before succumbing to a last-minute loss in a match where they scored early and controlled much of the game.
“We made sure to learn from that experience, use that in training and focus on perseverance,” said Jon Kopytko, Real Jersey FC head coach. “The coaches and boys continued to talk and maintain that drive to get us back here. This National Championship shows their character, and I could not be more proud of them.”
Also competing in the USYS National Championship for their age division on Sunday was the STA 14U Boys. After group play, STA underwent 14 rounds of a grueling penalty shootout against Raiders FC (Illinois) in the semifinals to earn their way into the 14U Final. STA then came up just short in the championship match on Sunday, but the team had a tremendous tournament showing as USYS National Championship Finalists.
A pair of New Jersey teams also advanced past group play and earned bronze medals at the USYS National Championships. Reaching the semifinals was NJ Stallions Academy 05 Fire (14U Girls) and the Princeton Soccer Association (PSA) National 16U Girls.
For complete recaps of the USYS National Championships, check out the tournament portal online.
