Eastside FC 94 Red Win National League Title
By: Stephen Prendergast, SoccerNation.comastside-fc-win-u17-national-league-cms-2546
Washington's Eastside FC 94 Red reached their second major
goal of the youth soccer season this month in Las Vegas, Nevada. In late February the team had successfully defended their Washington State Cup championship, and on March
24 they clinched the US Youth Soccer National League Red Division championship.
Eastside finished the season-long competition with a 6-1 record and a 17-1 goal differential, displaying consistent focus, determination and quality of play throughout. By winning their
division, Eastside earned the right to compete in the US Youth Soccer National Championships in South Carolina this summer.
In 2011 Eastside had been within one match of winning their division, but dropped a 1-0 decision to Albion SC on the final day. This time, facing stiff competition that
included six teams ranking in the top-20 nationally, the boys from Washington made no mistakes as they went undefeated through six matches. Their 5-0 victory over 94 HFC
Red from North Carolina, the second win in two days, put them firmly on the top of the list. The only disappointment was a 1-0 loss to local team Downtown Rapids
95 on the final day of competition. A shutout victory would have made Eastside the only team in National League history to finish with a perfect record and no goals against.
Their appearance at the National Championships will be Eastside's second trip in two years. While they were knocked out of the Division Championships by Albion, the team came back to win
the Region IV title and earn their ticket. Unfortunately Eastside ended up on the wrong end of a four-way tie decision and missed reaching the championship game. This year
they look to avenge that result. "It is quite an honor to return after our 3rd place finish last year with a chance to try again," said Eastside head coach Dan Strom. "Very
few players get the chance to play on that stage once, let alone two years running. I believe the boys will relish that opportunity!"
Six teams will compete at each age level during the July 23-29 National Championships. Four Regional winners, who will be determined in a series of June competitions, and the Red and Blue
National League winners will face off for the right to be called the best in the nation. Already on the list with Eastside are Galaxy 94/95 Blue from Naperville, Illinois,
who took the U17 Boys Blue Division title.
Coach Strom is justifiably proud of his team, and believes that the National League competition has helped to strengthen the club's program. "The National League is a great opportunity for
top level teams to play against phenomenal opponents," Strom explained. "The teams we've played in the National League have all given us a challenge and been a great opportunity to develop
as a team and as individual players, and also to show for college coaches. So we are really fortunate and lucky to be a part of this."
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