Jefferson Cup 2024 Championship Division Preview: U14 Boys

Follow the Jefferson Cup:
Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

SoccerWire continues its annual article series previewing the Jefferson Cup’s Championship Divisions. In this edition, we take a look ahead at the U-14 Boys age group.

This year’s Championship Division features eight of the top teams in the country in a two-bracket format. The top two sides in each bracket will compete in the Finals on Sunday, March 3.

Bracket A

Inter Milan Academy (ITA): Joining this year’s tournament as part of the Inter Academy Strikers Project, Milan’s academy will be looking to turn heads in their first Jefferson Cup. The Nerrazzuri are considered to be one of the top academies in Europe and many of the senior team players currently second in Serie A filtered directly through their academy.

Manhattan SC Chelsea ECNL 10 (NY): Finished ECNL Northeast play strong in the fall, winning their last five matches to pull into second place before the break (6-1-0, 18 points). Their high powered attack (17 goals in conference play this season) is led by forward/midfielder Brady McComb, who was invited to participate in US Soccer’s ID Center event last fall. They are also a difficult team defensively to break down, having allowed just eight goals in the Northeast Conference.

Pipeline SC ECNL 10 (MD): Dominated Northeast Conference South Division play over the fall, going undefeated (6-0-1, 19 points) while holding an impressive +25 Goal Differential. After making the ECNL National Playoffs last season, Pipeline has ambitions on winning the National Championship this season and winning the Championship Division at Jefferson Cup would certainly prepare their team for the stretch run.

PSG Academy FL1 U14 Neymar (FL): Last year’s Champions are back for 2024, looking to reclaim their trophy and to build upon a performance which saw them go undefeated and outscore their opponents 8-3. They placed second in EDP’s Fall Florida Playoffs and are coming off of a regular season in which they finished in second in the South Sub Regional League.

Bracket B

Charlotte Soccer Academy ECNL 10 (NC): Currently in second in the ECNL’s Mid-Atlantic Conference (7-1-2, 23 points),Charlotte will bring their lockdown defensive work up to Richmond. They have only allowed four goals in ECNL play this season, earning six shutouts in the process.

GSA ECNL 10 (GA): A strong defensive side that have held opponents to just six goals in ECNL Southeast Conference play this season, GSA will look to improve in their second year playing in the Championship Division. Against stiff competition in the Southeast Conference, they shut out opponents in five of their final eight matches before the winter break.

SYC MLS NEXT 10 (VA): One of the top defensive teams in MLS NEXT’s Mid-Atlantic Division, SYC will enter Jefferson Cup play on a roll having won their last four matches. They average a one goal allowed per game, which is tied with D.C. United for second lowest in the Mid-Atlantic Division. Keep an eye on forward Abdoulaye Diop, who has received multiple USYNT ID Center invitations over the past year.

The Football Academy 10 Black (NJ): Last year’s Elite Orange Champions are making the move up to the Championship Division for 2024 and should more than hold their own. The New Jersey based team are coming off of a strong USYS National League run and just finished second in EDP’s Mid-Atlantic Premier I Conference (5-1-2, 16 points).