FRISCO, Texas (Feb. 19, 2011) – The 2010-2011 US Youth Soccer National League Under-15, Under-16 and Under-17 Boys resumed league play at Weston Regional Park in Weston, Fla., today. Each division is represented by four of the league's eight teams per division age group. This weekend of play will finalize league standings until the remaining four teams per division age group compete in Las Vegas, Nev., March 18-20.

Games are played in conjunction with the Weston Cup creating another significant opportunity for the nation's collegiate, professional and national team coaches to see National League players in an environment of meaningful play.  

The league is an extension of the highly successful US Youth Soccer Regional Leagues (US Youth Soccer Region I Premier League, Midwest Regional League, Region III Premier League and Far West Regional League). The National League provides an avenue for teams to play in meaningful matches against top competition from across the country for continued development and opportunities for exposure at the national team, collegiate and professional levels. In addition to recruiting opportunities, National League teams compete for the league title and two slots per gender age group to the annual US Youth Soccer National Championships.

Some highlights from today's matches…

Under-15 Boys
OBGC Rangers (MD) stayed in contention for the league championship with a 2-1 victory over West Pines United Black (FL). Jeremy Ebobisse put Rangers up in the 13th but DeAndre Robinson leveled for West Pines seven minutes later. Ebobisse gave Rangers the lead for good with his second goal when he tucked away a cross in the 55th.
 
Last year’s Region I champion, Lehigh Valley United 95 (E-PA), stayed in contention in the Red division by defeating CESA 95 Premier (SC) 3-2. CESA went up first in the 7th minute with the first of Ryan Bertling’s two goals. Lehigh went ahead with goals from Sam Feehrer in the 35th and Daniel Busichio in the 54th, but Bertling tied it up with his second just a minute later. Feehrer grabbed a brace for the Lehigh winner in the 70th.

Under-16 Boys
In a battle of the top two teams, Concorde Fire Elite (GA) became the first National League boys team to earn a place in the National Championships with a 1-0 victory over Raiders FC (IL). Concorde emphasized that they wanted to clinch the championship in the first game of the weekend, especially against Raiders, who handed the Fire a loss by the same score at last year’s National Championships. The winner came just five minutes in when Trexler Bennett served in a cross to the top of the box that Shaban Abousaud flicked toward toward goal. Henry Chancy was there to nod a perfect pass into the path of Cameron Mosely who finished for his fourth goal of the season.
 
“Being our first time in the National League, it’s been an unbelievable experience for the players. Raiders are an amazing team, they are very good, and we wanted to even things up. It was an honor to be at the National Championships (last year) and we knew we wanted to go back. It’s been our mission since day one,” said Concorde coach Ibrahim Abousaud. “Coming into this weekend we could see the light and I could tell the players had made up their minds that they were going to get it done and not wait. They’ve shown unbelievable character and discipline, and they deserve it.”
 
Eclipse Select 94/95 (IL), another participant from last year’s National Championships, could still finish tied with Concorde in points, however Fire hold the tiebreaker with a 3-0 victory over Eclipse in the opening weekend.
 
Under-17 Boys
Lou Fusz Gold (MO) moved to the top of a tight Red division with a 3-1 win over CESA 93 Premier (SC). CESA’s Kyle Fisher tied the game at 1-1 in the 70th minute after Robert O’Keefe put Lou Fusz ahead in the 49th. But Lou Fusz overcame the setback with goals in the 80th and 82nd by Patrick Conroy and Lucas Hake to get the win.
 
Javanon 94 (KY) kept pace with TSC 94 Black (OK) to stay even at the top of the Blue group thanks to a 4-2 victory against PSC Coppa 93 (E-PA). Javanon jumped out to a two goal lead with John Manga scoring in the 3rd and Lindo Mfeka in the 19th, but PSC got two goals within six minutes from Kristian Hall in the 50th and Darius Madison in the 56th to tie the game.  Javanon fought back and grabbed the winner in the 77th from Neil Henley and an insurance goal in the 88th from Jackson Cantrell. Javanon and TSC meet Monday in a game that could decide the group champion.
 
National League action continues Sunday, Feb. 20, at Weston Regional Park with games at 8 and 10 a.m. and Noon ET.
 
US Youth Soccer National League Results | Saturday, Feb. 19, 2011

U-15 Boys Red
Team America 95 Stripes    VA    2    LAFC Houstonians '96    TX-S    2
TASC - Jack Traxler (13:00) Rodrigo Hernandez (80:00)        
HOUS - Juan Flores (33:00) Garrett Welch (56:00)        

Lehigh Valley United 95    PA-E    3    CESA 95 Premier    SC    2
LVU - Sam Feehrer (35:00) Daniel Busichio (54:00) Sam Feehrer (70:00)    
CESA - Ryan Bertling (7:00) Ryan Bertling (55:00)        

U-15 Boys Blue                    
OBGC Rangers    MD    2    West Pines United Black    FL    1
RANG - Jeremy Ebobisse (13:00) Jeremy Ebobisse (55:00)        
WPU - DeAndre Robinson (20:00)                

Lonestar 96 Red    TX-S    0    Concorde Fire     GA    2
CFE - Adam Sheikali (39:00) Jack Gayton (51:00)        

U-16 Boys Red                    
Concorde Fire Elite    GA    1    Raiders FC    IL    0
CFE - Cameron Moseley (4:00)                

Beachside    CT    2    Team Ohio FC Juventus    OH-S    2
BEAC - Ryan Gavey (47:00) Pieter Zenner (80:00)        
TOJU - Andrew McKelvey (5:00) Rylee Woods (20:00)        

U-16 Boys Blue                    
Lake Grove United    NY-E    0    Everest SC Black    OH-N    1
EVER - Riley Grant (20:00)                    

Reston Knights FC    VA    3    CESA 94 Premier    SC    2
KFC - Patrick Moore (3:00) Alfonso Mendez (48:00) David Skipper (80:00)    
CESA - Nicolas Poupore (28:00) Austin Huddy (33:00)        

U-17 Boys Red                    
Dallas Texans Red-Dallas    TX-N    4    Commack SC United    NY-E    0
DTR - Alex Powers (32:00) Jordan Stiner (67:00) Richard Davies (85:00) Richard Davies (87:00)

CESA 93 Boys Premier    SC    1    Lou Fusz Gold Popovic    MO    3
CESA - Kyle Fisher (70:00)                    
LOUF - Robert O'Keefe (49:00) Patrick Conroy (80:00) Lucas Hake (82:00)    

U-17 Boys Blue                    
Annandale United FC    VA    0    TSC 94 Black    OK    1
TSC - Cristian Mata (10:00)                    

PSC Coppa 93    PA-E    2    Javanon 94     KY    4
PSC - Kristian Hall (50:00) Darius Madison (56:00)        
J94 - John Manga (3:00) Lindo Mfeka (19:00) Neil Henley (77:00) Jackson Cantrell (88:00)