Sandy, UT (5/23/2017)
After a one day break we were back in action at State Cup yesterday with 32 teams fighting for a place in the finals. It was a beautiful day out at the RAC with the sun shining and a great atmosphere provided by the food trucks and vendors, it was a great day for soccer. The games were as hot as the weather as the athletes put everything they had into advancing. It didn't have to be pretty, although oftentimes it was, teams just needed to survive and advance. After the dust settled at the end of the day, 16 teams were one step closer to being called State Cup Champions.
Semi-finals
Girls 17U
00 Celtic FC Premier and Forza FC RP put on one of the great games of the day in a 7 goal thriller that saw Celtic come out on top 4-3.
In the other semi, La Roca TC beat Wasatch Elite 00G BS 3-0.
This sets up a Celtic FC vs La Roca final. It should be a fantastic match as both teams have yet to lose during the tournament and have shown signs of dominance with each team having at least one game scoring 8 goals. The final will be held
Girls 14U
Avalanche 03 ECNL I and La Roca RH both scored two goals in their wins over Sparta 03 Premier TM and La Roca S JS respectively.
The Avalanche and La Roca teams both enter the final undefeated in the tournament and while nobody wants to see their magical run end, only one can emerge as the undefeated champion.
Girls 12U
In another 4-3 classic Forza FC East 05 AM came out on top over Sparta 05 Premier AS. They will be taking on La Roca PO who cruised to the final on the back of a 4-0 victory.
It should be a highly entertaining final as the semi-final was the first time La Roca PO has been held under 5 goals this tournament. Forza FC East 05 AM is no slouch itself going through bracket play undefeated.
Girls 11U
Avalanche North 06 TP and Infinity SC 06 DC both won their semis by a scoreline of 2-0.
While Infinity cruised through bracket play winning all of their games, Avalanche North didn't win a game in bracket play but have gotten hot in the knockout rounds and will look to continue their Cinderella run all the way to a state championship.
Boys 15U
Pre-tournament favorite La Roca TJ won 3-1 and will play AFC Apex 02 College Prep who advanced after a late winner in their match against Forza FC 02 JM I.
In a contrast of tournaments the two teams will face off with La Roca's closest win was by 2 goals, AFC Apex has a draw and 3 wins by a mere goal on their resume going into the final.
Boys 12U
USA Premier 05B SA rolled to a comfortable 6-2 win in their semi. They would play the winner of La Roca S CS and La Roca DC, a matchup La Roca DC won 4-2.
USA Premier is definitely the favorite going into the final as they have scored 6 goals in every game except their quarterfinal where they took a 1-1 game going into extra time and won 4-1. La Roca DC while not nearly as dominate has yet to lose a game and will look to put an end to USA's run.
Boys 11U
Our one shootout of the day was a Forza vs Forza matchup as Forza FC 06 DN beat Forza FC South 06 CW 4-2 on penalties. They will play USA Premier 06B SM in the final.
The final will be a rematch of a group play game which Forza won 5-2. However much has changed since they played back on matchday 1. USA which lost every game in bracket play but advanced on a wildcard, upset La Roca RH in the quarterfinals, then 06 Rangers FC Blue in the semis. The true underdog of the age group has made it the finals and what a story a win for them would be.
If you want to see the schedule and results, click HERE