TUZOS 02 BOYS ARE HEADING TO NATIONALS!!

The Arizona Youth Soccer Association had a strong showing at the 2017 US Youth Soccer Farwest Regional Championships in Seattle, Washington this past week as Tuzos Academy 04 (13U), Tuzos Academy 02 (15U), Excel Soccer Academy 02 (15U), and defending National Champions Valparaiso United FC 01 (16U) all advanced to the championship match in their age brackets. 

One walked away as Regional Champions, as Tuzos Academy 02 Boys booked their ticket to the US Youth Soccer National Championships. They, alongside Scottsdale Soccer Blackhawks 00 girls (National League winners), will now travel to Frisco, Texas to compete in the 2017 US Youth Soccer National Championships from July 24-30 at the Toyota Soccer Center. 

In the 13 and Under Boys championship match, Tuzos Academy 04 found themselves down early against Heat FC 04 ET (Nevada), but just before the halftime break, Tuzos' Baldemar Guillen beat the goalkeeper to equalize the match at 1-1. In the 48th minute, Heat FC scored the go-ahead goal and resisted a stiff Tuzos attack for the remainder of the match to hold on for the 2-1 victory. 

The 15 and Under Boys Championship match was an all Arizona showdown with Tuzos Academy 02 facing Excel Soccer Academy 02. Tuzos' Eliseo Sanchez scored the opening goal just three minutes into the match and an Ivan Pino Cabrero goal helped Tuzos extend the lead in the second half. The Tuzos defense stepped up again recording their third clean sheet of the week to claim the 15U boys title with a 2-0 victory. 

Defending National Champion Valparaiso United FC 01 JG entered the 16 and Under Boys Championship match after they defeated SC del Sol 01 Boys 3-1 in the semifinals. In the championship match, WCFC Armour 2001 (California) scored the opening goal just five minutes into the match. Valparaiso, who scored an Arizona best 19 goals in the tournament, couldn't break down the stingy Armour defense, who held on for the 1-0 victory. 

Overall, eight of the 12 boys teams advanced past the group stage. Scottsdale Soccer Blackhawks 04 Zelin and SC del Sol 01 both (lost to Valparaiso United FC 01 FG) suffered semifinal losses and SC del Sol 99 and Sereno SC Thompson were both eliminated in the quarterfinals. 

The boys teams finished with a combined 30-18-6 record with 117 goals scored and 86 goals against. 

The girls teams had a solid tournament scoring a combined 36 goals, while conceding just 26 goals in 20 matches.

Even with a strong goal differential, only two of the six girl's teams advanced past the group stage. CCV 04 Girls (U13U) won their group led by an powerful offense. They played to a draw in the first match and then won their next two matches. Their last group stage match saw them score an Arizona girls high eight goals in a match. They, however, were eliminated in the quarterfinals. 

AZ Arsenal Premier Teal Girls (18U) also finished atop their group, but they were eliminated in the quarterfinals. 

The Farwest Regional League | Desert Premier enjoyed great success as seven of the 14 teams crowned champions were from DPL states.  Advancing to the National Championships, along with Tuzos Academy 02 is Heat FC 04 ET, NV (13U Boys), LVPSA 03 Red, NV (14U Girls), La Roca PO 02, UT (15U Girls), Celtic FC Premier SA, UT (16U girls), Celtic FC, UT (17U Girls), and Arsenal Colorado Academy 99 (18U Girls). 

2017 US Youth Soccer Region IV (West) Champions

# Advances to National Championships as Region IV representative. 15U Girls La Roca to represent the National League.