The state of Tennessee enjoyed an incredible run at the US Youth Soccer Southern Regional Championships in Dallas, with four Tennessee State Soccer Association (TSSA) teams being crowned Southern Regional Champions and three additional squads finishing the tournament as finalists.
Lifting the trophy as winners in their age divisions were Tennessee Soccer Club 2011 Girls (14U Girls), Kononia Lady Fire Memphis 2009/10s (16U Girls), Chattanooga Red Wolves 08G (17U Girls) and NUSA 07 Boys Maroon (18/19U Boys). Also reaching the finals at the regional competition were Tennessee United SC 2012 Boys (13U Boys), One Knox SC 09G (16U Girls) and 06/07 Germantown Legends Premier (18/19U Boys).
Tennessee Soccer Club 2011 Girls started the USYS Southern Regional Championships by going unbeaten in group play and not allowing a single goal across three matches. Their 2-0-1 record and 7-0 goal differential secured the top seed from their bracket and advanced them into the semifinals. In that next round, TSC 2011 Girls faced Solar East 11G Reese FDL (North Texas) and punched their ticket to the championship match with an impressive 4-1 result. Awaiting them in the final was JIYSC 11 Girls D (South Carolina), with the Tennessee side delivering a dominant performance and earning a 3-0 victory. Following the win, TSC 2011 Girls lifted the 14U Girls Southern Regional Championship Trophy, officially booking their reservation in the USYS National Championships later this month in Orlando.
Kononia Lady Fire Memphis 2009/10s dominated their group in the opening round of action, recording three straight shutouts across three victories while outscoring their opposition, 13-0. The team then carried that momentum into the semifinals, where they registered a fourth consecutive clean sheet against Solar South 09G Naizer FDL (North Texas), 3-0, claiming their spot in the championship game. In an all-Tennessee final, Kononia Lady Fire Memphis 2009/10s emerged victorious in a highly competitive 3-2 battle over One Knox SC 09G, lifting the 16U Girls Trophy and extending their postseason journey to the USYS National Championships in Orlando.
Chattanooga Red Wolves 08G were also outstanding in group play, earning three straight victories and winning their bracket with a 10-1 goal differential. The Scenic City representatives then moved into the semifinals and defeated Renegades 08G FDL (North Texas), 3-1, to advance to the championship match. Opposite them in the final was SSC 08G Storm Elite (Louisiana), and Chattanooga Red Wolves 08G blanked their opponent, 2-0, to capture the 17U Girls Southern Regional Championship and earn their place at the USYS National Championships later this month.
NUSA 07 Boys Maroon also recorded three straight wins in group competition, winning their division after outscoring the opposition by a tally of 9-3. Awaiting them in the semifinal round was Little Rock Rangers 2006 Boys (Arkansas), where NUSA 07 Boys Maroon topped their opponent by a scoreline of 2-1. The 18/19U Championship featured a second all-Tennessee final, with 06/07 Germantown Legends Premier also booking a reservation on the last day of the tournament. After a hard-fought game, NUSA 07 Boys Maroon lifted the 18/19U Trophy with a 2-1 victory at the final whistle. Next up for NUSA 07 Boys Maroon is a trip to Orlando for the USYS National Championships.
The country’s most prestigious national youth soccer tournament, the USYS National Championships Presented by New York Life will take place from July 22–27 at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando, Florida. Each summer during this event, US Youth Soccer crowns a 13U–19U boys and girls national champion following a year-long series of competitions at the state and regional levels. With approximately 185,000 players on 10,000 teams across the 54 USYS State Associations, the National Championships provide a platform for players to showcase their talent against the best competition in the country.
To contact the Tennessee State Soccer Association, please call (615) 590-2200. Also make sure to follow us on social media!