ECNL Boys National Playoffs: Florida Premier U-14 squad shines

Cristian Ortiz came to North Carolina ready to ball.

His Florida Premier FC U14 team completed the regular season with a 14-1-1 record and their 2.69 points per game was 8th best in the country, all in their first ECNL campaign.

“This is our first year in ECNL, so we came in just trying to get results,” Ortiz said. “Winning all of our games except two, that’s a very good season.”

Florida Premier entered the ECNL Boys National Playoffs ready to show they were a force to be reckoned with. Ninety minutes and one group game later, Ortiz and the rest of his team did just that.

Ortiz scored two of his squad’s four goals in Florida Premier’s opening round matchup against Houston Dynamo, giving his team a much-needed three points and a great start on their path toward St. Louis.

“We feel amazing,” Ortiz said. “We dominated the whole game. Kept possession, finished our chances, exactly what you want to be doing at National Playoffs.”

Ortiz’s first goal was a beauty as he deftly chipped a shot over the Dynamo keeper and into the back of the net.

Just before halftime, Ortiz doubled his goal total and Florida’s lead, while also significantly hampering Dynamo’s comeback chances.

In the second half, Ortiz’s teammates made sure to build off his great start by finding the back of the net two more times. By the final whistle, it was a convincing, full-team win.

“This club is the best club in the USA,” Ortiz said. “We’re one club and one family. There isn’t anyone else I’d want to be chasing a title with.”