WIZARD OAK BROOK & ROCKFORD CITY WIN USYS NATIONAL PRESIDENTS CUP

Wizard Oak Brook FC and Rockford City FC went to Wichita, claimed The Cup and brought home their club’s first US Youth Soccer National title after being crowned 2024 National Presidents Cup Champions. Wizard Oak Brook SC won the 14U Boys National title and Rockford City FC are the 15U Boys Champions.

The journey to the National Presidents Cup started in May with both teams winning the Illinois Presidents Cup advancing to the Midwest Presidents Cup, where they both won Regional titles, which qualified them for the National Presidents Cup.

In group play, Wizard Oak Brook went 3-0 not allowing a single goal while finding the back-of-the-next five times. They were the only 14U Boys team to go undefeated in preliminary play. In the semifinal match vs Idaho Juniors Neon, their defensive shutout run ended but they still managed a gritty 2-1 victory. The National title match was a rematch of the US Youth Midwest Presidents Cup Final with Wizard Oak Brook taking on LUFC Navy of Wisconsin. Sam Bumgarner, a contender for the event’s Golden Boot award, scored two goals leading Wizard Oak Brook to a 2-1 win over their Midwest rival.

Rockford City was dominant on the offensive side of the ball at the National Presidents Cup, scoring 10 goals over their group play games and finished atop their bracket. In the semis, an early goal gave Rockford City the lead over the Southern Chester County Dragons from Pennsylvania, a lead they would never relinquish on their way to a 2-0 semifinal victory.  In the Finale, Rockford City Captain and playmakers Jared Barajas and Dylan Pena, another Golden Boot nominee, each scored and the defense held their opponent scoreless for the fourth time in five games, earning them the 15U Boys National Presidents Cup trophy over Quad City Strikers of Iowa.

With the title wins by Wizard Oak Brook and Rockford City, Illinois teams have now won 27 National Presidents Cup titles since the event was started in 2009.

WIZARD OAK BROOK

14U Boys USYS National Presidents Cup Champions

George An, Caden Arthurs, Caleb Bechtel, Samuel Bumgarner, Fabian Contreras, Adam Dubiel, Jesus Escobedo, John Fitzgeraldn, William Hladik, Victor Kirchev, Miguel Maldonado, Kevin Mandernach, Alex Meller, Demetri Ninis, Charles Ordway, Thomas Riley, Henry Sharp and Raul Solis

ROCKFORD CITY

15U Boys USYS National Presidents Cup Champions

David Andres, Justin Antunez-Medina, Jared Barajas, Esteban Campos-Palafox, Hector Ceniceros, Yahel Cuevas-Tapia, Leonardo Hernandez, Daniel Martinez, Jose Daniel Martinez-Rodriguez, Juan Diego Martinez-Rodriguez, Eduardo Mendoza, Edgar Montes, Osbaldo Nunez-Almanza, Dylan Pena-Arias, Alexis Perez, Jonathan Roldan, and Angel Tlahuextl

In addition to the two Champions from Illinois, Chicagoland United SC and Firebirds SC both finished as National Presidents Cup Finalists. Chicagoland United fought back from an early deficit but couldn’t complete the comeback falling 2-1 in the National Final. Firebirds SC battled Epic SC United of West Virginia to a 2-2 draw, leaving the Championship to be decided on kicks from the mark. Epic outlasted FSC 4-3 in kicks to take the title. 

CHICAGOLAND UNITED SC

17U Girls USYS National Presidents Cup Finalists

Ava Brockell, Olivia Connelly, Kiara Desiderio, Angelica Flores, Keegan Hullinger, Gianni Jaime, Jazmin Jimenez, Dulce Juarez, Emily Kovar, Ella Langellier, Nia Lawrence, Natalie Orbon, Olivia Pelot, Ella Riordan, Chelsey Rufino, Jocelyn Sanchez, Marlee Tracy and Jocelyn Zettergren

FIREBIRDS SC

19U Girls USYS National Presidents Cup Finalists

Hallie Ahrens, Julia Bereta, Payton Brose, Emily Coral Rodriguez, Cleo Glenzinski, Naomy Gonzalez, Karly Harkness, Ciara Johnson, Alexandra Jonaitis, Avery Lucatorto, Lauren Price, Michaela Quinn, Margaret Quinn, Jamie Quirk, Maya Reinheimer, Samantha Rozmus, and Jolee Waddington

In total seven Illinois teams earned their place in the National Presidents Cup. Harvard FC (13U Boys) and Rush United Phenoms (18U Boys) advanced to semis with Harvard losing 1-0 and Rush Phenoms being topped in kicks.  CSA of Fox Valley (16U Boys) advanced to the event as a Wild Card after finishing as Midwest Presidents Cup Finalists, finished the event 0-2-1 in group play.

Overall, all seven teams represented themselves, their club and the states in outstanding fashion and we are very proud of all of them.

If you missed the registration deadline for the 15U-19U Girls Illinois Presidents Cup, you can still start your journey towards a National title. Contact chrisj@illinoisyouthsoccer.org ASAP to get registered. Brackets for the Fall event will be announced end of July.  

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