The U14 Girls Minnesota Thunder Academy, U14 Boys Minnesota Thunder Elite Academy and U18 Boys Minneapolis United teams made it all the way to the US Youth Soccer’s Region II Midwest semifinals in Westfield, Ind. In the end, none of Minnesota’s teams advanced to the finals but represented the state well, turning in respectable performances.
The MTA U-14 girls, coached by long time Minnesota coach Danny Storlien, lost their semifinal match in heartbreaking fashion. The MTA girls lost 1-0 in PK’s after keeping the game scoreless through 90 minutes and overtime. MTA succumbed to Waza FC East from Michigan, 4-3 in penalties. The team ended up going 2-1-0 in group play scoring six goals and allowing only one.
MTA U14 Boys Elite Academy also advanced to the semifinals. Coached by Mark Yueill, the team went 2-0-1 in group play, scoring eight goals and allowing two.The team features Mukwelle Akale’s younger brother, Masango. MTA fell to Sporting J. B. Marine SC from Missouri by a score of 1-0 with the games only goal coming in the 24th minute of play from Arthur DeCampos.
Minneapolis United U-18 boys advanced to the semis with a 2-1-0 record, allowing two goals and scoring four. They fell to OGFC 97 Elite SC from Ohio, 4-3. Coach Alex Morawiecki brought his team back after falling behind 2-0 early with goals scored in the 2nd and 5th minute. Ziyad Fares scored for MU in the 13th minute and Santos-Meeker Benjamin scored an equalizer in the 26th minute of play. The Ohio team countered with another goal just before half. Fares brace in the 65th minute knotted the score once again but OGFC 97 Elite had the last word with a 73rd minute goal that put their team ahead for good.
Here is a list of teams that represented Minnesota in this year’s Midwest Regional Championships and their group stage records.
Boys
U13 Boys: Sporting St. Croix (2-1-0)
U14 Boys: Minn. Thunder Elite Academy (2-0-1) Semifinals
U15 Boys: Sporting St. Croix (2-1-0)
U16 Boys: Minneapolis United (2-1-0)
U17 Boys: Minneapolis United (2-1-0)
U18 Boys: Minneapolis United (2-1-0) Semifinals
U19 Boys: Sporting St. Croix (1-2-0)
Girls
U13 Girls: Minn. Thunder Academy West (0-2-1)
U14 Girls Minn. Thunder Academy West (2-1-0) Semifinals
U15 Girls: Dakota REV (1-1-1)
U15 Girls: MapleBrook (0-2-1)
U16 Girls: Minn. Thunder Elite Academy (0-2-1)
U16 Girls: Minneapolis United (2-0-1)
U17 Girls: Dakota REV (1-2-0)
U18 Girls: Shattuck-St. Mary’s (1-2-0)
U19 Girls: Minn. TwinStars Academy Revenge (0-3-0)
Leave a Reply