How they got to Nationals
After advancing to the semifinals in each of the previous two National Championships, Baltimore Celtic SC Christos (MD) is coming back to Frisco for a third consecutive time and looking to finish its run to the National title. Should it complete its quest, the 2018 Eastern Regional Champions would become the latest team to add its name to the storied history of the James P. McGuire Cup. Celtic came out on top in some tight games in Spotsylvania, Va., including a 1-0 overtime victory in the championship match. After a scoreless 90 minutes against 2016 National Champion Loudoun Red (VA), Matthew Bailey scored a 98th-minute game-winner to give Celtic the victory and a chance to compete at Nationals for the McGuire Cup.
National Championship Series History
State Champs: 2016, 2018
Region Champs: 2017, 2018
Region Semis: 2016
National Championship Semis: 2016, 2017
2016-17 National League Blue: 4th (3-2-2)
2015-16 National League Red: 5th (2-1-4)
2014-15 National League Blue: 6th (1-4-2)
Player Accolades
Region ODP: Samuel Solomon
U.S. Youth National Team: Quantrell Jones
2017 National Championship Top Scorers: Samuel Solomon (T-3rd – 3 goals)
2017 National Championships Best XI: Paul Frendach, Gouanou Kouemi
2017 Eastern Regionals Top Scorers: Samuel Solomon (tied for 2nd)
2015 National Championships Golden Glove: Quantrell Jones
Coach
Brandon Quaranta
Midwest: FC United 1999 Select 1 (IL)
How they got to Nationals
After two years of not getting over the Regional Championships barrier, FC United changed its luck in its last eligible year of US Youth Soccer play. FC United went a perfect 3-0-0 in the group stage and then came from behind to defeat Michigan Wolves 99 (MI), 2-1, to advance to its first Regional final. FC United made the most of its chance and defeated its fellow Illinois side, LTSC Union Showcase 99/00 (IL), 3-0 in the final. The Illinois team now has a chance to continue it's progress and play for the 19U Boys James P. McGuire Cup.
National Championship Series History
State Champs: 2016, 2017, 2018
Region Champs: 2018
Player Accolades
2018 Midwest Regionals Top Scorers: Ryan Krueger (2nd, five goals), Sahil Modi (T-4th, three goals)
2017 Midwest Regionals Top Scorer: Ruben Delgadillo (T-3rd, three goals)
Coach
Pat Flinn
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South: Tampa Bay United (FL)
How they got to Nationals
Tampa Bay United (FL) finished 2nd in Group C at the Southern Regional Championships and then defeated Chattanooga FC Academy FC 00 Premier (TN) 4-3 in a high scoring quarterfinal. Tampa Bay twice came back from being down to seal it's spot in the semifinals. Tampa Bay earned a hard fought 1-0 win over UFA 99 Premier (GA) thanks to the games lone goal by Travis Foster. After going up 3-0 in the final, South Carolina United FC 99 Elite (SC) started to pull it back in the dying embers of the game. Three late goals made it 4-3 late in extra time, but South Carolina couldn't find a late equalizer. Tristen Andre's hat trick in the match helped propel Tampa Bay into the 2018 National Championships.
National Championship Series History
State Finals: 2018
Region Champs: 2018
Player Accolades
2018 Southern Regionals Top Scorers: Tristen Andre and Travis Foster (T-2nd, five goals), Joseph Bajza (T-3rd, four goals)
Coaches
Eric Sims/Duke Dunnigan
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