US Youth Soccer ODP Region IV Championships
Champions of the Region IV US Youth Soccer ODP Championships were crowned on Sundays youth teams 2000-2004 put their skills to the test against top competition on the west coast. The four-day tournament decided who represents the region in the 2017 US Youth Soccer ODP Championships in the 2000 and 2001 age groups.
Youth Soccer News: Champions were crowned at the 2017 US Youth Soccer Olympic Development Program (US Youth Soccer ODP) Region IV Championships at Reach 11 Sports Complex in Phoenix. The four-day tournament featured teams of elite players in the 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2004 age groups, from Region IV, which includes Alaska, Arizona, California North, California South, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington and Wyoming.
Match Highlights:
2000 Boys
A strong start helped Oregon come away with a 1-0 victory over Cal South and claim a spot in the 2017 US Youth Soccer ODP Championships. Oregon’s Zachary Velasco scored the lone goal of the match in the 24th minute. Oregon’s strong defensive presence in the second half helped prevent an attacking Cal South from tying up the game.
2000 Girls
In the 2000 Girls age group, Cal South edged out Washington 3-1, and earned a berth to the 2017 ODP Championships. Helen Burke scored opening goal for Cal South in the 19th minute and teammate Amber McCorkie doubled the lead in the 41st minute. Washington’s Makenna Carr scored her eighth goal of the tournament in the 64th minute and Jenna Nighswonger put the game out of reach in the 77th minute to bring the final score to 3-1.
2001 Boys
In the final match of the 2017 US Youth Soccer ODP Region IV Championships, Cal South defeated Arizona Red, 3-0. Diego Aragon found the back of the net in the 15th minute, and his teammate Brandon Garcia extended the lead in the 25th minute. Soon after the second half started, Daniel Martinez netted the final goal for Cal South.
2001 Girls
The Cal South 2001 Girls wrapped up an undefeated tournament with a close 1-0 victory over Utah. Samantha Williams netted a late goal in the first set of extra time to grab the victory. Despite a strong attacking presence from Utah, Cal South was able to hold onto its lead for the remainder of the match.
2002 Boys
In a close matchup between the Utah and Arizona 2002 Boys, Utah recorded a 1-0 win after falling in the 2016 final last year. Utah’s Dyson Clapier scored for his team in the 24th minute, and with a strong defensive effort, Utah was able to hold on to its lead until the final whistle.
2002 Girls
In a matchup between Washington and Cal South, it was Cal South who came out on top 3-1. Washington’s Zoe Burns scored the only first half goal for either team. In the second half, Cal South’s Cordeila Cross found the back of the net in the 63rd minute and Nya Harrison scored twice in extra time, just two minutes apart, to give Cal South the final 3-1 edge.
2003 Boys
A late goal helped Cal South earn a 2-1 win against Arizona to claim the 2002 Boys ODP Region IV Championship title. Joshan Darji scored the only goal in the first half to send Cal South into halftime with a 1-0 advantage. Arizona’s Alexander Kessler scored his fifth goal of the event in the 62nd minute to bring the match level, but it was Eduardo Villeda’s goal in extra time that gave Cal South the final edge.
2003 Girls
A face off between two tough teams in the 2003 Girls division led to a 2-0 win for Cal South against Washington. Velize King was first to score for her team in the 17th minute, and just nine minutes later her teammate Kayla Colbert extended the lead for her fourth goal in the ODP Region IV Championships. Cal South played an impressive defense in the second half to give them the final 2-0 advantage.
2004 Boys
In a winner-take-all matchup, Cal South edged Arizona, 3-0. Cal South’s Stefano Brunetto tallied two goals in ten minutes to open the half and Cal South didn’t look back from there. Cesar Bahena recorded his third goal of the event in the 67th minute to increase the lead, and that was enough to give Cal South the final advantage over Arizona.
2004 Girls
Two back-to-back goals from Cailey Jackson in the first half was enough to lift Cal South to a 4-0 victory over Nevada. Alyssa Thompson added a goal in the 27th minute, and to close out the second half, Ally Lemos recorded the fourth and final goal for Cal South.
Photo Credit: US Youth Soccer
