Jefferson Cup 2024 Championship Division Preview: U19 Boys

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SoccerWire continues its annual article series previewing the Jefferson Cup’s Championship Divisions. In this edition, we take a look ahead at the U19 Boys age group.

This year’s Championship Division features twelve of the top teams competing in a single table format over the course of the Showcase weekend (March 22-24). To check out the entire U19 age group click here.

Baltimore Celtic ECNL 2005/2006 (MD): Started their 2023-2024 ECNL season with two impressive National Showcase performances in Phoenix and Florida (2-1-3, 9 points). Last season, their 2006s qualified for the National Playoffs and will undoubtedly use that experience to help propel the team through a difficult North Atlantic Conference. Defender Declan Karney (2024- Christopher Newport), midfielder Eliot O’Neil (2024- Mount St. Mary’s) and forward Samuel Walker(2024-West Virginia) lead a talented, highly organized group that are looking to turn heads in 2024.

Beach FC ECNL 2006/2005 (VA): Currently sitting atop the ECNL Mid-Atlantic Conference (11-0-3, 36 points), Beach have dominated league play with their imposing defense allowing just 14 goals this season. Defender Carson Danner (2024-Radford) has provided a spark on both sides of the pitch at left back, making expert tackles in open space and jumpstarting the counter-attacks with his precise runs off of the ball. Forward Ryan Buckon (2024-Elon), midfielder Kenneth Barrett (2024-William and Mary), and midfielder/forward Ryan Walsh (2024-uncommitted, ECNL National Selection Game SC) lead an attacking corps that have scored 29 goals, the most in the Mid-Atlantic Conference.

Black Rock FC Northwood U19 (MA):  The New York Residential Academy is looking to repeat last year’s success at the Jefferson Cup which saw their U17s finish in the top four of the Elite Division with a 2-1-0 record on 19 points. They found even more success at the U19 level in the Elite Black Division, going undefeated over the course of last weekend’s Showcase, outscoring their opponents 12-1. Forward Sachiel Ming (2024-Syracuse) was just called up to participate in the CONCACAF U-20 Qualifiers for Bermuda and will look to use that experience playing in international competition in this year’s Championship Division to Black Rock’s benefit.

Dix Hills SC EST Ultimatum 2006 (NY):  Won the USYS East Regional Championship last year at the U17 level, outscoring their opponents 25-3 en route to earning top honors. They placed third in the National Championships, including shutting out Lou Fusz Athletic 4-0 to start group play.

East Meadow SC 2006 BOCA (NY):  Stymied two strong attacking teams in Indiana Elite FC (2-2) and Supreme FC (0-0) to earn back-to-back draws at the ECNL Florida Showcase earlier this month. Defender Sean Cooke (2024-Chicago) captains a defensive line that works seamlessly together to close gaps and halt the opposition’s momentum.

IFA U19 NAL (MA):  Heading into National Academy League New England Conference play IFA are looking to use the Jefferson Cup to help ready themselves for the long spring season ahead. Their 06s last year proved they were more than up for the challenge in the U17 Elite Division, finishing atop their flight while winning all three of their matches.

Indiana Fire 2005/2006 NL PRO (IN):  Went undefeated in National League Red Conference play to book their spot in the next round. The Fire’s high-powered offense scored ten goals in three games, defeating Northern Virginia United Academy (6-2) and Three Rivers Soccer Club (3-2) while holding off Dix Hills Ultimatum SC (1-1) to finish first in their group.

New England Surf State Navy 2005 (MA):  Earned a major win against FC Stars 2006/2005 ECNL 3-0 at the recent NEFC Thanksgiving, helping them in their preparation for EDP New England Conference play this spring. Surf are also the defending USYS East Regional Champions at the 2005 level.

New York Premier FC 2006 (NY):  The reigning Eastern New York State Cup champions at the 2006 level, NYPFC are coming off of a strong run at last year’s US Youth Soccer National Championships. They finished atop Group B, having won all three of their matches and finished in the semifinals losing out to the eventual champions Sparta United. At last year’s Jefferson Cup, they went undefeated in the Elite Division (2-0-1, 22 points) defeating the ECNL’s Kings Hammer (2-0) and NCFC Youth (2-0) while grinding out a 0-0 draw with Seacoast United Bedford.

Pipeline SC ECNL 06/05 (MD): Featuring ECNL All-American Dan Klink (2024-North Carolina) and captain Gavin Carmichael (2024-Drexel) Pipeline are looking to continue their strong run of form down in Richmond. With both their 06s and 05s having made the ECNL National Playoffs Round of 16 last year, Pipeline carry a high level of experience in pressure situations. They are also coming off of a 3-2 win against the Philadelphia Union Academy which saw forward Josh Petty (2024-Queens University of Charlotte) net a brace and midfielder Mason Wakefield (2024-Virginia Wesleyan) net a critical goal in the 15th minute.

Richmond United ECNL 05/06 (VA): Last year’s ECNL National Champions at the 2006 level are looking to make it back-to-back titles in 2024. ECNL U17 Player of the Year Griffin Garnett (2025-Washington verbal commit) pulled the team to a 9-2-4 record on 31 points in Mid-Atlantic Conference play last fall. Midfielder Nicholas Simmonds was recently called up to the Jamaican under-20 National Team ahead of CONCACAF qualification and just signed a USL Academy contract with the Richmond Kickers.

STA ECNL 07 (NJ): Won all three of their matches at the recent ECNL Florida National Event, outscoring their opponents 8-2. Forward Valentino Della Grazia , who will be playing college soccer next year at South Carolina, leads an electric attack that can create goal-scoring opportunities in even the smallest of spaces. In addition to their solid run of form in the ECNL, STA are also coming off a strong performance at the Bethesda Premier Cup (2-0-1, 7 points), where they went undefeated in the Chesapeake Division.

Stony Brook LGN SC United 2006 (NY): Placed first in their flight at the Bethesda Premier Cup, while earning two clean sheets. At the NEFC Thanksgiving Showcase, they finished in second in Group B defeating New England Surf State Navy 1-0 and Seacoast of Bedford Elite Blue 4-3 showing their ability to hold one goal leads late in matches.

SYC Soccer U19 MLS NEXT (VA): Started the new year in MLS NEXT play by shutting out FC DELCO 3-0, giving them their third clean sheet in five matches (3-1-1, 10 points). At MLS NEXT Fest, they grinded out two draws against Ventura County Fusion (1-1) and Lamorinda SC (2-2), continuing their positive run of form from the fall season.

VDA ECNL 2006/05 (VA): Allowed just ten goals in Mid-Atlantic Conference play this season, pushing the team right into the thick of the ECNL playoff race. Their strong defensive has carried over to Showcase play, including earning three clean sheets at the ECNL Phoenix event back in December.

World Class FC 2006 ECNL (NY): Started ECNL play on a high note in December, going undefeated at the Phoenix National Event (2-0-1, 7 points) before earning a 2-1 win against STA to wrap up 2023. They started 2024 off on an equally strong foot, defeating Bethesda SC’s MLS NEXT team2-0 at the Best of the East Cup competition. ECNL All-American forward Jack Kryger (2024-Army) is coming off of an exceptional season for World Class and will be looking to lead the team back into the ECNL National Playoffs.