20 girls and boys teams in five age divisions (Under-15 through Under-19) competed in the final championship games of the USYSA Midwest Regional Championship June 30. Michigan was victorious, with all three teams making it to the finals posting wins. The U-17 girls Michigan Hawks, the U-19 boys Carpathia Kickers, and the U-18 boys Vardar III will all travel to Orlando in July for the national championship. Two Ohio-North teams, the U-15 boys Cleveland United White and U-15 girls Internationals teams also pulled off wins. While Missouri dominated the semifinals, the state’s teams had disappointing results, with only one team advancing to the nationals. The U-15 girls Busch Soccer Club lost in the finals last year, but was able to pull off a 1-0 victory over the Carmel (Ind.) Cosmos II this year. The U-18 girls Milwaukee Kickers team will be the first Wisconsin girls team to play at the nationals since 1995. The Cardinal Premier U-19 girls team from Ohio-South won its second regional title in three years. Other states posting one champion each were Kansas and Illinois. Teams qualified for the US Youth Soccer Midwest Regional Championship by winning State Cup titles. Regional champions in age groups U-16 through U-19 advance to the US Youth Soccer National Championship, July 20-25 at Disney’s Wide World of Sports complex in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. Here’s a look at the finals played on June 30: Under-19 Boys Carpathia Kickers (Mich.) 3, Busch Soccer Club (Mo.) 2. Goals: Patrick Joja 10, Gary Ryan Mack 40, Salvatore Piraine 59; Jarod Bertrand 71, 82. Under-18 Boys Vardar III (Mich.) 1, Chicago Magic Sockers White (Ill.) 0. Goal: George Kithas 68. Under-17 Boys Kansas City Legends (Kan.) 3, Javanon ’82 (Ky.) 2 (OT). Goals: unavailable (#12) 1, Brendan Matthews 85, Joe Burns 96; Vijay Dias 27, 79. Under-16 Boys Chicago Magic Soccer Club (Ill.) 4, Busch Soccer Club (Mo.) 0. Goals: Udo Seidel 11, 45, 72, Ned Grabavoy 59. Under-15 Boys Cleveland United White (Ohio-N) 4, Chicago Magic 83/84 (Ill.) 2 (OT). Goals: Pablo Ayeinena 47, Ayeinena 90, 105, Ryan Pore 94; Joseph Ducci 9, 87. Under-19 Girls Cardinal Premier (Ohio-S) 1, Buffalo Grove Cobras (Ill.) 0 (PKs). Under-18 Girls Milwaukee Kickers (Wis.) 2, J.B. Marine (Mo.) 0. Goals: Stephanie Chavez 63, Eileen Weinheimer 65. Under-17 Girls Michigan Hawks 2, Busch Soccer Club (Mo.) 1. Goals: Brianna Roy 31, Robynn Morrell 76; Anne Gruszka 63. Under-16 Girls Busch Soccer Club (Mo.) 1, Carmel Cosmos II (Ind.) 0. Goal: Carmen Bognanno 74:00. Under-15 Girls Internationals (Ohio-N) 3, Milwaukee Kickers (Wis.) 0. Goals: Kristen Weiss 32, 57, 72.
