14UG FC Dallas, 16UB Solar finish play at 2018 National Championships

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FRISCO, Texas (July 28, 2018) – 14-Under Girls FC Dallas Blue and 16-Under Boys Solar 02 Stricker both fell in the semifinals of the 2018 US Youth Soccer National Championships semifinals held at Toyota Soccer Center in Frisco, Texas.

13-Under Girls Liverpool 05 Elite, 14-Under Girls FC Dallas 04 Blue, 15-Under Girls Liverpool 03 Elite and 16-Under Girls Sparta FC 02 Elite all earned their respective spots in the National Championships by claiming US Youth Soccer Southern Regional Championships titles last month, while defending National Champions Solar 02 Stricker reserved the right to defend its national title by winning the 2017-18 US Youth Soccer National League White title in December. 2018 North Texas Soccer State Cup finalists in the 19-Under Girls age group, Invictus SC 99 rounds out the field of North Texas teams .

Group play took place July 24-26, while semifinals in the 14-18 Under age groups and finals in the 13-Under and 19-Under age groups occured July 28. The remaining champions will be crowned July 29. Boys and girls teams in multiple age groups earn their way by competing against the top teams in their state and region. US Youth Soccer State Champions and selected wildcard teams are eligible to compete in one of four US Youth Soccer Regional Championships. The champions in the 13U through 19/20U age groups from each regional event will converge in the finals with the National League teams.

14-Under Girls
After a scoreless first half, FC Dallas Blue surrendered a goal in the 50^th minute to Philadelphia SC Swarm 04’s (PA-E) Madison Crozier. FC Dallas would create opportunities for an equalizer, but none would find the back of the net. FC Dallas finishes in third place with a 2-2 record while scoring two goals and conceding two as well.

16-Under Boys
Defending National Champions Solar 02 Stricker broke the scoreless stalemate against Arlington SA 2002 Red (VA) in the second half when Skyler Stricker found the back of the net. Arlington would equalize minutes later, and the East Region champions would add a second off a corner-kick just minutes before the final whistle to snap Solar’s eight game winning streak at the National Championships. Riley O’Donnell finishes the tournament at the top of the age group in goals scored (4) for a second consecutive year. Solar finishes with a 3-1 record while scoring 10 goals and conceding three.