By: Jared White

 

The Florida Youth Soccer Association (FYSA) has over 105,000 players that participate in organized soccer across Florida. If you are just one of these players, nothing is quite more important than the chance to play in the Florida State Cup. State Cup is an open tournament, running from ages U13-U19, where the best teams from the state of Florida test their abilities over the course of two months. In the end, 14 teams are crowned as the State Champions.

The 2016 Florida State Cup started this season on March 19 with over 500 teams competing. All throughout the regions, teams were faced with increased challenges and skillful opponents. After two consecutive rounds of elimination games, teams advanced to the Round of 16 on May 7-8. From here, all roads would lead to the State Cup Finals at the Lake Myrtle Sports Park in Auburndale.

All of the remaining teams from around the state converged on Auburndale the weekend of May 21-22 for a shot at becoming State Champions. Semifinal games lasted all day on Saturday with several thrilling matchups for many of the age groups. Sunday concluded State Cup games with the official championship matches. For anyone that attended the finals, young players could be seen working together and competing against the very best in the state. From heart racing saves to electrifying goals, these were the best games of the season. U19 players concluded their State Cup run the following Memorial Day weekend. The following teams are the 2016 State Cup Champions:

 

Girls U13 – Davie United U14 – Florida Elite U15 – Space Coast United U16 – Sunrise SC U17 – Tampa Bay United U18 – Tampa Bay United U19 – IMG Academy

Boys U13 – Florida Elite U14 – West Pines United FC U15 – Davie United U16 – Clay County SC U17 – Brevard Soccer Alliance U18 – FC Tampa Rangers U19 – FC Florida Elite

 

The 2016 State Cup Champions will be making their next appearance at the US Youth Soccer Region III Championships at the MESA Soccer Complex in Greenville, S.C. from June 24-30 with more than 200 boys and girls teams. It is expected to draw teams from Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North & South Carolina, North & South Texas, Oklahoma and Tennessee. Regional winners of the Under-13 through Under-19 age groups earn a berth to the 2016 US Youth Soccer National Championships, July 25-31, at the Toyota Soccer Center in Frisco, Texas. One of the 14 national crowns awarded is the James P. McGuire Cup, the oldest trophy in youth sports, dating back to 1935 with the inaugural youth championships. Good luck to all of the Florida teams at the Region III Championships!

 

	?