EDP Soccer hosted the EDP Cup Fall over Columbus Day Weekend, with top teams in the nation coming together in New Jersey for one of the best events of the year. Teams from MLS Academies, USYS National League Conferences, Girls Academy, EDP, ECNL, and USYS Elite 64 were in attendance, creating a best vs. best experience as clubs compete against different platforms. Teams from all four regions of the country and Canada competed, including teams from AZ, CT, DC, DE, FL, IL, MA, MD, MI, NJ, NY, OH, PA and VA.
Eddie Johnson, former US Men’s National Team player and Coach of EJ7 commented, “Great tournament, amazing experience, and grateful to be a part of it. Congratulations to all the teams who won!”
Austin Asanovich, a forward for Next Level Soccer (AZ), had this to say after his team won the 11U Boys Platinum Blue Bracket: “Thank you for hosting such a well-run, competitive tournament. It was our pleasure to be a part of it!”
A look at some of the results from the weekend
The Platinum Blue final was one of the most watched games of the weekend, with spectators from around the event coming together to watch Next Level Soccer 2012 Boys Black (AZ) versus Chicago Fire Youth SC 2012B Premier (IL). Next Level Soccer (AZ) reached the final after starting the weekend with a statement win over Philadelphia Union Junior Academy 2012 (PAE), followed by a 5-3 win over Nationals Oakland 12 Boys Black, a back-and-forth game in which Next Level Soccer (AZ) pulled away in the end. With their spot sealed in the final, they defeated STA 2012B Pre-ECNL 4-3 in the final group stage game. Chicago Fire Youth SC 2012B Premier (IL) reached the final having kept two clean sheets on day one, recording a 4-0 win over BW Gottschee '12 Blue and 2-0 over SYC 2012B Pre-MLS Next. On Sunday, they fell 2-1 to New York Red Bulls Pre-Academy 2012 North, but had already booked their spot in the final. The final saw the teams trade goals in the first half, entering half time scored 2-2. In the second half, Next Level Soccer (AZ) pulled away, scoring twice, and winning the match 4-2 to take the championship back to Arizona.
The Platinum Red final featured A.S. Junior Elite 2012 Boys (NJ) and FC Prime 2012 Elite SW Ranches (FL). FC Prime reached the final with one of the most dramatic wins of the tournament. Needing a win over Cedar Stars Academy Lacey 2012B (NJ) in the final group game, the game was tied 3-3 late in the second half, when FC Prime scored the winning goal to send them to the final. A.S. Junior Elite opened up with two strong wins over FC Real Jersey FC 2012 Pre-MLS and New York Red Bulls Pre-Academy 2012 NY, and on Sunday won the group with drawing 2-2 against EJ7 2012 (FL), a game in which they trailed 2-0 in the first half. In the final, FC Prime used their momentum of the 4-3 win earlier in the day to propel them another win, defeating A.S. Junior 3-1, returning to South Florida as champions.
See the other 11U Boys Winners.
The Platinum Blue final featured two of New Jersey’s top teams, with New York Red Bulls - Metro facing off against The Football Academy NJ 2011 Boys Black. The Football Academy NJ 2011 Boys Black went through the group stage going 3-0-0, defeating Philadelphia Union Academy 2011 2-1 in the opening match and then defeating AIFC Toronto 3-0. On Sunday, they defeated SYC 2011 Boys Pre MLS Next 4-1 to close out the group. In Group B, New York Red Bulls - Metro did not get off to the start they wanted, drawing with Lower Merion SC Irmaos Navy 2-2 in the opening match, but rebounding with a big win Miami Shores Soccer Club 2011-Orange, the #1 ranked team in the nation. On Sunday, they defeated Villanova SA, and advanced to the final on the goal differential tie-breaker over Lower Merion SC. In the final, New York Red Bulls - Metro used their athleticism and technical ability to get the best of The Football Academy, winning the match 5-2 to claim the championship.
The Platinum Red final Nationals Oakland 11 Boys Black (MI) take on Coppermine SC Boys 2011 Premier I (MD). Nationals Oakland 11 Boys Black entered their final group game tied with Philadelphia Ukrainian Nationals 11B Black (PAE) on six points. Philadelphia Ukrainian Nationals 11B Black led 2-0 in the match, but Nationals Oakland 11 Boys Black came storming back, and scored 2 late goals to clinch their spot in the final. Coppermine SC opened with a win in an exciting 4-3 match against PDA 2011 Pre-MLS Blue, and followed that up with another 1 goal win over Futboltech 2011 - Chelsea. They closed out the group with a win over BW Gottschee '11 Blue. In the final, Nationals Oakland attack came out firing on all cylinders, leading them to a 4-0 victory to bring another EDP Cup back to Michigan.
See the other 12U Boys Winners.
The Platinum final saw The Football Academy NJ 2010 Boys Black (NJ) and East Coast B2010 Academy (NYE) meet in the final after both going unbeaten in group play. The Football Academy defeated FC Florida and PPA 2010 Green on Saturday to clinch their spot, while East Coast FC went into Sunday tied on 4 points with STA 2010B ECNL. The final group game went into halftime tied 0-0, and with the final on the line, East Coast FC was able to find the winner in the 2nd half. In the final, it was a back and forth match, with both teams having chances, but it was The Football Academy who was able to capitalize twice, securing a 2-1 win for the championship.
See the other 13U Boys Winners.
The Platinum final was a match up between World Class FC 2009 ECNL and STA 2009B ECNL. World Class FC got off to a slow start, going down 2-0 early in their first match versus FC Florida 09, but came roaring back to win the game 5-3, and followed that with a 3-1 win over Manhattan SC Atletico ECNL B09. They finished group play 3-0-0 after defeating Cedar Stars Academy North Elite 64 09B 3-1. STA opened the weekend defeating Maryland State Cup Champion PPA 2009 Green Boys (MD) 2-1, and then having a dominating win over Eastern NY State Cup Champion DUSC 2009 Blue. On Sunday, they entered on 6 points with Connecticut State Cup Champion AC Connecticut on 4 points, and with the teams drawing 2-2, it was enough to send STA to the final. In the final STA got out to a 2-0 lead over World Class FC, and once again World Class FC fought their way back looking for a dramatic comeback win, but fell just short, as STA won the match 3-2 to be crowned champions.
See the other 14U Boys Winners.
The Gold final saw Cedar Stars Academy North Bergen 2013 Boys Pre-Academy (NJ) and Philadelphia Union Junior Academy 2013 play one of the most exciting games of the weekend. Philadelphia Union reach the final going 3-0-0, including two 3-2 victories, one over Real Jersey FC and one over Coppermine SC. Cedar Stars Academy went 2-0-1, and defeated PA Rush 2012 Rush Boys 4-3 in the final group stage to finish on seven points to PA Rush six points. In the final, both teams continued to show the quality they had all weekend long, but it was Philadelphia Union who were ultimately able to find the winner and a 6-5 thriller.
See the other 10U Boys Winners.
The Gold final was between Philadelphia Union Junior Academy 2014 (PAE) and Game Awareness Elite from Canada. Game Awareness Elite entered after going 3-0-0, while Philadelphia Union was 2-0-1 in group play, defeating Torpedoes, TSF and drawing with Coppermine SC. The final saw the MLS side come out on top, with the 5-2 victory being the first of the two EDP Cup Championships for the club on the weekend.
See the other 9U Boys Winners.
The final was a match up between age group rivals Coppermine SC Boys 2015 Premier I (MD) and SYC 2015B Academy (VA), a match up that both sides will have circled for many years to come. Both teams finished group play 3-0-0, showing their dominance throughout the tournament. SYC and Sporting Delaware Boys 2015 Black played the most crucial game of group play, with SYC winning 4-3 Sunday morning to decide the Group A winner. In the final, Coppermine finished off their impressive weekend with a 3-1 victory.
The Platinum final had CNSC 2008 from Canada take on CJFA Juventus (NJ). CNSC went through group play without conceding a goal, recording wins of 2-0, 3-0, and 1-0. CJFA won both of their Saturday matches, and drew with PDA Hibernian Danubia Gunners 2-2 on Sunday, advancing to the final with a +6 goal differential to PDA Hibernians +5. In the final, CJFA was finally able to crack the CNSC defense, and come away with a 1-0 win.
The Diamond final saw SJEB FC 09 GA (NJ) against Jersey Shore Boca Jr FC O'Hara (NJ). SJEB FC started the weekend with a 3-0 win over local GA rival Real Jersey FC, and then defeated CS St-Hubert 2-1 in a physical match. SJEB finished group play with a 5-3 win over NJ Premier G2009 - BLUE (NJ). Jersey Shore Boca opened up with a 1-0 defeat to South Shore Futbol Club Legacy G2009 (NYE), but bounced back with a 3-2 win over Philadelphia Ukrainian Nationals 09G GA. They reached the final with a 2-1 win over Wall Elite Spirit, advancing on a head-to-head tiebreaker over Philadelphia Ukrainian Nationals. Jersey Shore Boca looked to make it three straight EDP Cup Championships, but SJEB FC was just too good on the day, and defeated them 3-0 to win the top flight.
See the other 14U Girls Winners.
The Diamond final had Philadelphia Ukrainian Nationals 10G GA (PAE) take on Team Challenger FC G10 Black (OH). Team Challenger was dominant on day one, keeping clean sheets in both of their matches to clinch their spot in the final. On day two, they faced their first of two Girls Academy opponents, dropping the first one 1-0 to Real Jersey FC. Philadelphia Ukrainian Nationals allowed just one goal throughout the weekend, that goal coming in their 4-1 win over SJEB FC 10G GA to open the weekend. They then had clean sheets against PPA 2010 Green Girls (MD) and Match Fit Academy FC 2010 Girls Shore Blue. In the final, their strong back line couldn't be beat, and combined with one of the event's best attacks, Philadelphia Ukrainian Nationals defeated Team Challenger 3-0 to take home the trophy.
See the other 13U Girls Winners.
The final in the Diamond Bracket saw an unbeaten CNY Premier 2011 Girls (NYW) and unbeaten Philadelphia Ukrainian Nationals 2011G Pre-GA (PAE) square off in a very closely contested game. Both teams scored over 10 goals during group play, but in the final, the evenly matched teams found goals much harder to come by, and both teams made adjustments to find an edge. In the end, CNY Premier SC scored the game's lone goal, and won 1-0 to claim the championship.
See the other 12U Girls Winners.
The Diamond final saw The Football Academy NJ 2012 Girls Black (NJ) cement themself as one of the age groups top teams, as they defeated Philadelphia Ukrainian Nationals 12G Black (PAE) in dominant fashion. Both The Football Academy NJ and Philadelphia Ukrainian Nationals entered 3-0-0, with The Football Academy defeating NYCFC Girls 2012 4-3 in the closest match either team had during group play. NYCFC would go on to defeat WUSC 2012 in the third place game.
See the other 11U Girls Winners.
Same as the 11U Girls, the top flight final had Philadelphia Ukrainian Nationals 13G Black (PAE) and The Football Academy NJ 2013 Girls Black (NJ). In a three-way tie for second place between Philadelphia Ukrainian Nationals 13G Black (PAE), Team Challenger FC G13 Black (OH) and Cedar Stars Academy Lacey 2013G Green (NJ), Philadelphia Ukrainian Nationals advanced to take on The Football Academy through the goal differential tiebreaker. Philadelphia Ukrainian Nationals didn’t waste the opportunity and defeated The Football Academy in a very close game that ended in a 1-0 scoreline.
See the other 10U Girls Winners.
In the Ruby final, Real Jersey FC 2014 (NJ) took on VSA Valkyries 2014 Girls (PAE). Real Jersey were excellent during group play, winning their matches 6-1, 5-0 and 5-0. In the final, they faced their toughest test, as VSA was unbeaten with two wins and one draw. Real Jersey won the match 3-1, to claim their spot as the age group's top team and finish as champions.
See the other 9U Girls Winners.
NJ Surf South Shore 2008 Girls (NJ) started the weekend with a 2-0 win over Coppermine SC, and with a 3-1 win over Ironbound, set themselves up for an appearance in the final on Sunday. In the final, they would win a closely played match with Moorestown SC United 2008 1-0 to finish in first place.
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