How they got to Nationals

The Bethesda Lions went undefeated in the 2012 Region I Premier League notching a 6-0-1 record scoring 23 goals and conceding only three. They won the 2012 Maryland State cup without allowing a single goal in four matches. The Lions continued their undefeated run through the Region I Championships for back-to-back titles sealing their berth to the 2012 National Championships

National Championship Series History

State Champs:2011, 2012

Regional Champs:2011, 2012

Interesting Facts

2 time NCSL Division 1 champions, Jefferson Cup 2011 Champion, Potomac Memorial Day 2010 Champion, Bethesda Thanksgiving Tournament 2010 Semi-Finalist, 2010 CASL Tournament Champion.

The Bethesda Lions have played together and been coached by Emile Mbouh and Phillip Gyau since the U-7 age group.

The Lions have lost only 9 games in all competitions from November 2010 to date, in 5570 minutes of play, over the course of 78 games.

Coach Info

Emile Mbouh

• Currently holds his French Professional Coaching License
• Captain of Cameroon’s National Team in ’90 & ’94 World Cup
• Played in 4 African Nations Cups and earned 113 Caps for Cameroon
• Played Professionally in La Liga in Spain for Valencia, French Ligue 1 for Le Havre

Region II: Vardar 98 (MI)

How they got to Nationals

Vardar won the 2012 Spring Midwest Regional League Blue Division then went undefeated in the Michigan State Cup allowing only six goals through six games. Vardar went undefeated through all of the Region II Championships and scored three goals in overtime to secure a 4-1 victory in the championship game gaining entry into the 2012 National Championships.

National Championship Series History

State Champs: 2011; 2012

Knocked out of group stages of 2011 Region II Championships.

Regional Champs: 2012

Key Players

Vardar had three of the five top scorers in the Region II Championships. Thomas Dokho was the leading scorer with seven goals while Nash Popovic and Jake Rosen tied for third most goals with five each. 

Coach Info

Morris Lupenec

• USSF National B 
• USSF Certified Referee 2002
• 21 years Vardar Soccer Club
• Five years Director of Coaching, Vardar Soccer Club
• 21 years Men's Head Coach, University of Detroit Mercy
• 10 years Michigan Striker's Academy, Director

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Region III: Sunrise Elite 97/98 (FL)

How they got to Nationals

Sunrise Elite 97/98 came in second place in the 2012 Spring Region III Premier League East Division and attained the best goal differential in the season—19:3. That effort was followed up with Sunrise winning the Florida State Cup. In the preliminary rounds of the Regional tournament Sunrise Elite won the first two of their three group stage matches clinching advancement to the knockout stages before they lost their last group match. In the knockout stages of the Region III Championships Sunrise Elite held their quarter-final, semi-final and championship oppponents scoreless, defeating FC Dallas Premier (N-TX) to earn a berth to the 2012 US Youth Soccer National Championships. 

National Championship Series History

State Champs: 2012

Regional Champs: 2012

Key Players

Sunrise Elite's John Skahan tied for the most goals in the Region III Championships with four goals. Frederick Gil also found himself in the top 10 scorers by scoring 3 goals in the tournament.

Interesting Facts

2012 Dallas Cup champion

Jorge "Pitu" Alvarez

• Eight years as a professional player in Argentina, Guatemala, Costa Rica and the United States.
• History of developing numerous players who are now competing professionally at the National and International level.

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