WICHITA, Kansas (July 11, 2023) – Fourteen champions were crowned Tuesday in Wichita, Kansas, after 104 teams competed at the US Youth Soccer (USYS) National Presidents Cup held at the Stryker Sports Complex from July 7-11.
2023 marked the 15th anniversary of the event and proved a fitting celebration of the year-long journey that more than 5,000 teams began last fall.
Twelve US Youth Soccer State Association’s left Wichita with hardware, after teams from Kansas (2), Utah (2), Eastern Pennsylvania (1), Virginia (1), Ohio (1), Illinois (1), Michigan (1), South Texas (1), Florida (1), Tennessee (1), Cal South (1), and Montana (1) all claimed the cup.
Wichita-based club Kansas Rush Wichita Academy (KS) played the part of local hero in the Sunflower State, with its 16 and under and 17 and under girls etching their name in Presidents Cup history. The 2007 Girls (16U) raised the storied trophy after topping Allegheny Force (PAW) 1-0 on Tuesday, putting the finishing touches on a strong five-game run that included four wins and one draw. The 2006 Girls (17U) left Stryker Sports Complex with the same record as their club counterpart and also ended the week in high spirits after besting Rebel Elite FC (UT) 1-0 in a close final match.
Adam Hunter, head coach of Kansas Rush Wichita Academy 06G (KS), touched on what it meant for his club to play — and win — in its home city.
“It was really important that the girls showed well at home in front of our community,” Hunter said. “When US Youth Soccer decided that they would host the tournament here in Wichita, our club wanted to be a part of that and we entered as many teams as possible.”
Hunter also gave insight into why his team was so successful during a competitive national event.
“We’ve got a great group of girls who seem to be very close together and they support each other,” he said. “It’s reaffirming to win the game and do it as one together.”
Billings United G2004 Pink PR (MT) — the 19U Girls Champions — came out on top of a penalty-kick shootout in the final match thanks to the heroics of goalkeeper Maria Ackerman. Billings United not only left Wichita with their name on the 19U trophy, but also in Treasure State lore after becoming the first team from Montana to win the National Presidents Cup in its 15-year history.
On the boys’ side of the competition, Team America 04 Bata (VA), in its fourth straight year at National Presidents Cup, finally left on top during its last run. Having left Murfreesboro, TN (2019), Des Moines, IA (2021), and Greensboro, NC (2022), empty handed, ‘Bata Nation’ left nothing to chance with a 6-2 win over Havasu Academy 04B (AZ) and let out four years’ worth of celebrations after the final whistle.
Daynor Garcia, head coach of Team America 04 Bata, foreshadowed his team’s success last month at the Eastern Presidents Cup in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania.
“All these games help,” Garcia said. “It brings our team together, (with) the celebrations, all the memories that we’re gonna have. It’s going to carry our pride over to Nationals.”
Boys
| Age Group | Champions | Finalists |
|---|---|---|
| 13U | Atlas FC 13U (STX) | J.A.E Academy 10 (NJ) |
| 14U | Miami Lakes United 09 Boys (FL) | Necaxa USA Red – B2009 (CA-S) |
| 15U | AVSC Storm Red B08 (CA-S) | Carol Stream Panthers Academy 2008 (IL) |
| 16U | FC Ballyhoo 07 Boys Black (EPA) | 07 North Carolina Rush Triad Blue (NC) |
| 17U | L30 Utah Blitzz FC B06 – Black (UT) | Den of Lions Strikers – 2006 (NJ) |
| 18U | PSA Lanus (TN) | Evolution 05 Boys Mercurial (IL) |
| 19U | Team America 04 Bata (VA) | Havasu Academy 04B (AZ) |
Girls
| Age Group | Champions | Finalists |
|---|---|---|
| 13U | Columbus United G’10 Toffees (OH) | Kansas Rush Wichita Academy 10G (KS) |
| 14U | Ignite FC – 09G Orange (UT) | Empire F.C. 2009 Gold Girls (IL) |
| 15U | FC-1 Academy Girls 2008 Elite Blue (IL) | Tupelo Futbol Club 2008 Girls (MS) |
| 16U | Kansas Rush Wichita Academy 07G (KS) | AFFC 2007 Girls (PAW) |
| 17U | Kansas Rush Wichita Academy 06G (KS) | Rebel Elite FC 06 (UT) |
| 18U | MFA Revolution 05G Black (MI) | KCSG 05G (MO) |
| 19U | Billings United G2004 Pink PR (MT) | G2004 Paisley Athletic Academy (NJ) |
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About the US Youth Soccer Presidents Cup
The US Youth Soccer Presidents Cup is designed for teams seeking additional challenges to play against teams of similar abilities for a national title. Presidents Cup provides a progressive and competitive experience to teams, allowing them to participate in a series of unique experiences highlighting competition, camaraderie, and community from the state to regional to national levels of US Youth Soccer. The US Youth Soccer Presidents Cup is a separate series of events from the US Youth Soccer National Championship Series. For more information, please visit the Presidents Cup page..
About the United States Youth Soccer Association (US Youth Soccer)
US Youth Soccer, the largest youth sport organization in the country, is on a mission to provide world-class support, resources, and leadership, helping every member fulfill their goals on and off the field of play. US Youth Soccer registers nearly 2.5 million players annually. Through its programming, resources and leadership, US Youth Soccer is advancing the game for its 54 Member State Associations, 10,000 clubs and leagues and nearly 1 million administrators, coaches, and volunteers. US Youth Soccer connects families and communities to the power of sports and its shared love of soccer. US Youth Soccer provides a path for every player, offering programs that provide a fun, safe and healthy environment for players at every level of the game.
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