RECAP: US Youth Soccer National League Girls Quarterfinals wrap up in Arizona

MESA, Ariz. — Four days of action at the US Youth Soccer National League Quarterfinals in Mesa, Ariz., saw 45 girls teams qualify for the May 2025 National League Semifinals, while six sides claimed titles as the winners of the champions pool in their age group.

This November quarterfinals featured primarily teams from Elite 64, the top club-based platform in the USYS National League. The Nov. 8-11 action took place at Arizona Athletic Grounds and featured more than 90 girls teams across the 13U-19U age groups.

For the 14U-19U age groups, the quarterfinals represent the first of two stages of National League events, which provide every competing team with a pathway to ultimately advance to the USYS National Championships. The 45 teams that earned advancement to the next stage — the National League Semifinals — will play May 2-4 in Oceanside, Calif., for a chance to qualify to the National Championships.

“Our team has been working hard for this, so we’re happy we finally got to show how we can play,” said Alyssa Galasso, whose goal in Sunday’s game helped Sporting California Elite 64 10 (CA-S) clinch a place in May’s event in Oceanside. “It means a lot. I’m really happy and grateful. It feels really great when you score a goal that makes your team move on to the [National League] Semifinals.”

In addition to earning a place in the semifinals, six teams also won the tournament competition within the champions pool of their respective age groups to claim event titles. City SC Utah led the way, as it captured three champions pool titles — leading all clubs.

2024 NL Quarterfinals (November) | Girls Champions
*13U: City SC Utah Elite 64 12G (UT)
14U: CDA Slammers Elite 64 11G (CA-S)
15U: City SC Utah Elite 64 10G (UT)
16U: East County Surf Elite 64 09G (CA-S)
17U: Los Angeles Soccer Elite 64 08G (CA-S)
19U: City SC Utah Elite 64 06/07G (UT)

*The 13U age group does not advance teams to the semifinals event.

TITLE GAME RECAPS…

13U Girls 

A second clean sheet of the event helped propel City SC Utah Elite 64 12 (UT) to the 13U champions pool title, as it defeated East County Surf Elite 64 12 (CA-S), 2-0, on Monday. After a scoreless opening half, Adriana Garcia provided the breakthrough when she slid her 45th-minute strike past the keeper. Garcia added some breathing room for City SC when she netted her second goal 10 minutes later, and the Utah side saw out the 2-0 victory.

14U Girls

In a high-scoring 14U champions pool final, CDA Slammers Elite 64 11 (CA-S) held on for a 3-2 win against AYSO United Elite 64 11 (CA-S). The Slammers went on the front foot early, as Carissa Garcia scored in the second minute, and Kyla Uno made it dos a cero inside of 10 minutes. Samantha Garcia added a crucial insurance goal for CDA in the 51st minute before a late AYSO United push. Scarlett Diaz netted AYSO’s first goal in the 60th minute, and Amelia Nielsen pulled AYSO within a goal with a 68th-minute penalty kick. However, the Slammers held strong in the final minutes to secure the victory to win the champions pool.

15U Girls

Behind an impenetrable back line, City SC Utah Elite 64 10 (UT) secured a 2-0 win over So Cal Blues Elite 64 10 (CA-S) in the 15U champions pool final. Neither team managed to grab an upper hand for an hour of game play before a Josephine Cannon blast in the 63rd minute put City SC ahead. Samantha Sebahar added an insurance goal shortly after, and the Utah side secured its third straight clean sheet to finish a perfect weekend of play at the quarterfinals.

16U Girls

Solid performances from each line of its formation helped East County Surf Elite 64 09 (CA-S) win the 16U champions pool — capped by a 3-0 win against Los Angeles Soccer Elite 64 08 (CA-S) on Sunday. Caroline Inafuku gave Surf a 30th minute lead, and Hattie Oliver doubled the advantage in the 69th minute. Sophia Tousley added a late insurance goal, and the East County defense — which conceded just one goal in its three games in Mesa — recorded a shutout to clinch the title.

17U Girls

A second straight 2-1 scoreline was enough to give Los Angeles Soccer Elite 64 08 (CA-S) the win over CDA Slammers Elite 64 08 (CA-S) in the 17U champions pool final. The back lines held strong for the first hour of game play, as the game moved deeper into the second half without a breakthrough goal. Kayla Muramatsu finally broke the deadlock in the 64th minute to give LASC the lead, but that advantage disappeared when Cynthia Torres equalized for the Slammers six minutes later. LASC had a response of its own, as Joseline Murillo registered a 78th-minute winning goal to secure the win for her team.

19U Girls

After it needed penalties to win its opener in Mesa, City SC Utah Elite 64 06/07 (UT) secured another close victory when it came back to beat AYSO United Elite 64 07 (CA-S), 2-1, in the 19U champions pool final. Kathryn Santiago put AYSO in front just before halftime, but Utah replied immediately with a Peyton Smith goal in the opening minute of the second half. Stephanie Jasmine Cruz later found the back to put City SC ahead, and that goal held up as the Utah side secured the 2-1 victory.