Utah clubs dominate Nationals as four teams win National Title
Orlando, Florida - Wednesday, July 26, 2023 - The Great State of Utah capped off an incredible summer as four teams brought home a National Title from the USYS National Championship Tournament in Orlando, FL. With a total of 10 teams representing the Utah Youth Soccer Association, five (the most of any US State Association) of those advanced to the National Title game, which included Utah Celtic FC 08 Boys, La Roca FC - J Milla, Sparta United Elite 64 06B and an All-Utah U16 Girls final between defending National Champions Wasatch SC 07G ZB and Utah Surf 07 BH.
Defending National Champions Wasatch SC 07G ZB and Utah Surf 07 BH face off in a penalty shootout to decide the 2023 U16 Girls National Champion. Photo Cred: Cole Bagley.
Upon entering the 2023 National Championship series, only five Utah teams had ever captured a National Title, but that number was nearly doubled this past week as four more teams were crowned National Champions.
In addition to four more historic titles, Utah teams also led the way with the most finalists of any State Association (five), produced the first-ever All-Utah-Final, three first-time National Champion boys titles and the first-ever Utah team to become back-to-back National Champions.
"Utah has to be the most underrated State in the country. Not just the amount of quality teams and players, but what those teams are doing across E64, National Leagues, conferences and platforms,” Utah Celtic Head Coach Matt Bradley said.
“It says a lot. I think we have a lot of support from our local chapter. They do a great job. It talks about the benefits of the coaching that we have, the level of coaching that we have. But it also just talks that you’ve got a lot of hungry kids in Utah that want to get better and do the best that they can,” Wasatch Head Coach Zach Burton said.
Utah Celtic celebrates after scoring in their final game of pool play at the National Championship Tournament. Photo Cred: Cole Bagley
Congratulations to the 10 Utah teams who competed at USYS National Championships and the FOUR who cemented themselves in history as National Champions.
National Champions:
Utah Celtic FC 08 Boys (5-1 Vs SC Wave Cadence 08 WI)
La Roca FC - J Milla (1-0 Vs JB Marine Soccer Club MO)
Sparta United Elite 64 06B (2-1 Vs Miami Breakers FC FL)
Wasatch SC 07G ZB (1-0 P.K.’s Vs Utah Surf 07 BH)
National Finalist:
Utah Surf 07 BH
Check out some of our social media posts from the tournament below.