Players That Impressed: USYS National Championships Knockout Stage (Boys)

The following players turned in top performances during the knockout stages of the 2019 US Youth Soccer National Championships, in the 13U-19U Boys divisions.

Players That Impressed are identified from games watched by SoccerWire.com staff, and from coach and team manager submissions. Please send additional player nominations to [email protected].

Tyler Mezzadra | Goalkeeper
Pipeline SC Pre-Academy 13U (MD)

Behind a strong Pipeline back line, Mezzadra helped the squad earn their 4th consecutive clean sheet in the 13U Final, as they won the title without conceding a single goal the entire tournament.

Isaiah Omole | Defender
Pipeline SC Pre-Academy 13U (MD)

Made numerous important clearances and defensive challenges to shut down any potential scoring chances, as Pipeline notched their 4th shutout in a row in the Final against Michigan Jaguars.

Saul Valadez | Forward
Libertyville FC 1974 14U (IL)

Netted 2 of Libertyville’s 3 goals in a thrilling semifinal victory over Nationals Union, include the game-winner in the 70th minute. Libertyville went on to win the 14U Final, 3-0 over New Jersey side STA.

Milton Jones | Forward
Real Jersey FC 15U (NJ)

Led the 15U age group with 5 goals scored during the course of Real Jersey FC’s title run at the USYS National Championships. During the knockout stage, Jones tallied goals in both the semifinal and the final.

Joseph Cino | Defender
Real Jersey FC 15U (NJ)

Helped the Real Jersey FC defense earn a 2-0 clean sheet victory in the 15U Final against a dangerous PA Dominion FC offense.

Nicholas Walker | Forward
Downtown Las Vegas SC 15U (NV)

Nearly pulled his team into the 15U title match, rallying Downtown Las Vegas SC from an early deficit in the semifinals. Walker scored 2 goals in the 2nd half, as his team came up just short 3-2 against Real Jersey FC.

Shane Velez | Defender
PA Dominion FC 15U (PA)

Key member of a PA Dominion FC back line which earned their 3rd clean sheet of the tournament in a thrilling overtime win over Georgia side PPA in the semifinals.

Alan Lopez | Forward
Las Vegas Soccer Academy Silver 16U (NV)

Sparked the offense during Las Vegas Soccer Academy’s championship run, scoring important goals in both the semifinal and the finals.

Aidan Yamachika | Defender
Las Vegas Soccer Academy Silver 16U (NV)

Speedy defender who made major contributions on the back line as LVSA notched a 2-0 clean sheet victory over Beadling SC in the 16U Final.

Angel Mange | Defender
Las Vegas Soccer Academy Silver 16U (NV)

Imposing center back who turned in a strong effort during LVSA’a clean sheet effort in the 16U Final. Showed his ability to win balls in the air and force turnovers in the defensive third.

Joseph Fonagy | Forward/Defender
Beadling South Red 16U (PA)

Continued his scoring surge with a brace during Beadling’s 2-1 semifinal victory over FC Dallas 03 Premier. Both of Fonagy’s goals came in the 2nd half, as Beadling overcame a 1-0 halftime deficit.

Isaac Shiner | Forward
Michigan Jaguars Green 17U (MI)

Nearly pushed Michigan Jaguars into the 17U title match, as he scored 2 of his side’s 3 goals during a back-and-forth semifinal battle, which ended 3-4 against Solar SC. Shiner led all 17U players with 6 goals at Nationals.

Jackson Castro | Midfielder
Solar SC Castro 17U (TX)

Vaulted Solar SC to victory by scoring the game-winning goal in the 17U Final against Virginia side Arlington 02 Red. One day earlier, Castro netted the game-winner in the 116th minute during overtime of a wild 4-3 triumph for Solar in the semifinals against Michigan Jaguars.

Johnathan Sauceda | Forward
Solar SC Castro 17U (TX)

Recorded a brace for Solar SC to help lead them to victory in a high-flying semifinal match against Michigan Jaguars. Sauceda scored twice in regulation of an overtime thriller which ended 4-3, pushing Solar into the title match.

Jonathan Lee | Goalkeeper
Arlington SA Red 17U (VA)

Conceded only 2 goals over the course of 5 games at Nationals, as Arlington finished as 17U Finalists. Lee and the Arlington defense posted a clean sheet in the semifinals against Baltimore Celtic, and lost a tough 1-0 battle in the title match.

Garrett Ross | Defender
Arlington SA Red 17U (VA)

Anchored an Arlington back line which recorded their 3rd clean sheet of the tournament during a 2-0 semifinal victory over Baltimore Celtic. Helped limit a potent Solar SC offense to a single goal in the 17U Final.

Jerry Desdunes | Midfielder
PPA/KSA Pro-Profile 18U (GA)

Finished the tournament with a division-high 10 goals and a national championship trophy, as the PPA/KSA offense proved to be unstoppable. Desdunes saved his best performance for last, scoring 5 goals during a 7-1 rout of Solar SC in the title match.

Deedson Vixamar | Forward
PPA/KSA Pro-Profile 18U (GA)

Piled up 5 goals during the knockout stage as PPA/KSA cruised to the national championship. Vixamar scored 3 goals, all in the 2nd half, during the semifinals. He netted 2 more in the title match, including what proved to be the game-winner in the 3rd minute.

Christian Naizer | Midfielder
Solar SC 01 Stricker 18U (TX)

Helped lead Solar SC into the 18U Final by jumpstarting the offense with his 59th minute goal in the semifinals against FC Dallas 01 Premier. Solar overcame a 2-goal deficit in the 2nd half, and ultimately came out on top of a PK shootout to advance.

Dominic Flowers | Defender
Lehigh Valley United Black 19U (PA)

Lehigh University rising freshman helped his team earn 3 clean sheets in 5 games during their championship run at USYS Nationals. Scored the opening goal in the semifinals, and contributed to a clean sheet in the 19U Final.

Luke McMahon | Forward
Lehigh Valley United Black 19U (PA)

Provided the game-winner in overtime after LVU and Baltimore Celtic played to a 0-0 draw in regulation of the 19U Final. McMahon’s 96th minute strike proved to be the difference as LVU won their 2nd USYS National Championship.

Brandon Knapp | Defender
Baltimore Celtic SC 19U (MD)

St. John’s University defender anchored a dominant Baltimore Celtic back line during their 2nd place run at Nationals. Celtic racked up 3 clean sheets in 5 games, not including the 19U Final in which they held Lehigh Valley United scoreless for 95 minutes, and did not concede a goal until overtime.

Kieran Baskett | Goalkeeper
Baltimore Celtic SC 19U (MD)

William & Mary rising freshman turned in a near flawless performance at Nationals, as Celtic conceded 2 total goals over the course of 5 games. In the knockout stage, Baskett and the back line held their opponents scoreless for 185 minutes, until finally conceding a goal in overtime of the 19U Final.