Just wanted to give a special report from the weekend. We had 7 teams travel down to the Alabama Soccer Association D1 and D2 State Cup in Foley, AL.
It was a sunny and windy beautiful weekend.
We have three teams place 3rd in State in D1
USC 04B Premier Coach Paul Cano
USC 03B Premier Coach Paul Tedesco
USC 01B Premier Coach Paul Cano
We had one team finish as Finalists in State in D2:
USC 03G Elite Coach Jared Keesee - Silver Medalists
We also had one team finish 3rd in the State in D2:
USC 05/06 Girls Elite Coach Nick Smith- Bronze Medalists
And we had two D1 STATE CHAMPIONS.
Congratulations to the USC 05B Premier - Coach Paul Tedesco. They are the ASA U15 Boys DI 2019 State Champions.
These boys have been State Champions at U10, U11, U12, U14, and U15. They have been Region League Champions, and will compete the USYS National League for the second time their careers this December with National League events in Panama City, FL and in Tampa, FL. They are the only team from North Alabama to win the Midsouth Regional League and participate in the USYS National League. They continue to set the standard for USC and each year set the bar higher and higher in their quality of play, and results.
Congratulations to the USC 01G Premier - Coach Nick Smith. They are the ASA U19 Girls DI 2019 State Champions. The Girls had a tremendous season going 5-0 in state league play against the other 01G teams in the state league play outscoring opponents 24-0. In the State Cup they won 9-0 in the semi finals and 3-0 in the Championship game. It was an incredible season, and tremendous standard of soccer the team put together all season.
The USC 01 Girls Premier area very special team in United Soccer Club history, as this makes the first ever United Soccer Club Girls State Championship team. They share a very special and similar story to the USC 96 Premier, who were the first every USC boys team to win a state title. The USC 01/02 Girls have not always been the top team in state, they have not even always been the top team in North Alabama. In fact, very similar to the USC 96 Boys team, many years, they went into tryouts wondering if they would have enough for a team or enough to field a competitive team. Fortunately, there are a core group of girls on the team, roughly 6 -8 girls, who have been a part of the team since U8/9/10. This championship was meaningful and a blessing to every girl on the team this year that fought and made the year a success, as it was for their coach. But, it really was meaningful to so many others, former team mates and coaches who gave their all all along the teams journey season by season as it competed, fought, and grew through the ups and downs that come in a soccer teams career. Similar to the 96 Boys, in the senior season, all the right players came together, and the fantastic new additions combined with returning players, made for the right mix of players who would make for such a memorable and special season. For the 6-8 players who have been there since the beginning, it was especially wonderful. After all the years of fighting, and holding together, to finish in their senior year, and go out on top as the Champions they have always fought so hard to be, finally they are crowned Champions, the number one, top in the state. We wish a special congratulations to all of these girls and their families, as they will go down in USC History as our first ever Girls D1 State Champions!!!
Two other very special side notes with regards to this team.
Coach Nick Smith, was a member of the USC 93 Boys, this was one of the first four teams to form and begin United Soccer Club. He was a part of the very small representation of our community that chose to support United Soccer Club in our inaugural season 12 years ago. It is very special to us, that a former player, who chose United, because he and his family believed and supported United Coaches and leaders for the values and principles we believe in, came back to give back to the game from his positive experiences. Nick carries on the USC standards, principles and values, and is the first USC Coach to help guide a team win a Girls State Title for the program. Congratulations coach Nick Smith, we appreciate your support of USC, and they excellent way you encourage and build young women up to be successful through the game.
USC Board Member, and USC 01 Girls Premier Team Manager Jason Songy. - Coach Songy at the beginning in the U9/10 days, and team manager almost every year, since U11. He has worked tirelessly for so many years, working through the bumps and bruises every season has to offer, rainy games, cold games, and hot games. Tryouts, high school seasons, you name it…. He has always given it is all to help the team he loves, for his daughter he loves, Allie Songy. His commitment to the team, and the the club, are rooted in a connection that so many of us share at USC, but for Jason Songy maybe even a little more special than any other. Coach Songy was a member of the 1989 ASA DI U18 Boys Club State Champions - Grissom High School, coached by USC Technical Director, Mike Latty. Jason was a member of Coach Latty’s first season coaching at Grissom High School, Coach Latty's first State Championship team in a run of 7 state championship teams in 10 years. Jason said it was the most rewarding experience for him watching his daughter win her first state title with his coach Latty sitting there on the sideline with him, cheering and supporting the team.
USC cherishes all the experiences, the wins and losses that come with playing sports, and above all appreciate the relationships and memories that are created from the time spent with friends and families doing things we love, like playing soccer. When teams have that special chemistry, and they are fortunate enough for the stars to align and they get to be Champions for a day, we all rejoice and celebrate with you. These stories are very special to us, and we like to share them with everyone and encourage you to support your kids, and coaches, and look forward to the exciting experiences along the journey.
Congrats to all of our teams on your hard work this season, and best of luck to those with still some games to play.
