Cal South Looking to Dominate the List of Elite
The US Youth Soccer National Championship Series is the country’s most prestigious national youth soccer tournament. Every year approximately 185,000 players on more than 10,000 teams from all over the nation compete to become the US Youth Soccer National Champions.
The US Youth Soccer National Championship begins with 10,000 teams being narrowed down to 926 teams at the Regional level and ultimately 96 teams. In the history of the prestigious US Youth Soccer National Championship, only four teams have won three-straight US Youth Soccer National Championships. Two of those four elite teams, Real So Cal and Arsenal FC, are from Cal South, the state association highly recognized as the leader in competitive soccer.
This year, three Cal South teams had the opportunity to be added to this truly exclusive group. The Fullerton Rangers 96 White, Santa Barbara SC White and the DMCV Sharks Elite. The only team able to achieve this feat was Felicia Kappes‘ DMCV Sharks Elite. After going undefeated last year, the girls are back-to-back champions looking to win their third straight National Championship.
As they did last year, DMCV qualified for the 2015 National Championships through the US Youth Soccer National League — this year finishing second in the Blue Division. DMCV fell in its State Cup but returned to Nationals with 2014 Golden Glove winner Sydney Wootten, as well as fellow Best XI honoree Hailey Harbison.
The talent of participating teams is incredible, but the talent and experience of the DMCV girls looks to exceed and has a real chance to grab an elusive third title.
This amazing group of girls that were featured on several news stations including San Diego FOX News, are all moving on college this fall with the exception of one returning player. Seventeen girls are committed to colleges, a true sign of this talented team.
“The girls are just very excited and grateful to be able to compete one last time together on the national stage,” said Kappes. “We are looking forward to the challenges ahead of this very competitive tournament understanding people want to emphasize the fact we are two time defending champions. For us, we are focusing on enjoying every moment together since this is the last time playing for each other and the DMCV Sharks.”
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Beach FC Academy 97 are looking to add their second title as defending champions. They qualified as National League Red Division champions with a 5-0-2 record. Beach FC will have the target on their back, but they are bringing with them an undefeated record from National League into the event. Beach FC will look to their National League top scorer Kaitlin Fregulia and fellow top 10 scorers Rocio Rodriguez and Daria Petredes.
As members of Cal South, all teams received $10,000 in support to help with the expenses of traveling as a team to Oklahoma. Watch all Cal South teams compete, live at: championships.usyouthsoccer.org/live.
Steve Hoffman, Director of Coaching and Player Development for Cal South is responsible for the PRO+ and Olympic Development Program and knows that Southern California is a hot bed of soccer talent. “Cal South is fortunate to have a lot of very talented coaches developing highly talented youth soccer players. The Cal South area is filled with people with a deep passion for soccer and a ton of experienced coaches who know how to help players reach the next level of performance,” said Hoffman. “In Southern California, we are very unique. We have so many great players.”
Wish all those who compete in the 2015 National Championships good luck.
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