Local youth soccer team wins national title. ‘They’re proud to put Merced on the map.’
The Merced Albion Soccer Club 13-and-under team won the 2022 National Cup Finals this month in Denver by going 5-0 in the tournament, including a 2-1 win over the Los Angeles Soccer Club in the championship match.
The Merced team defeated teams from Boston; Columbus, Ohio; Oklahoma City; Chicago and Los Angeles to win the tournament, outscoring their opponents 17-5 in the five matches.
“It’s a huge accomplishment,” said Merced Albion SC coach Rafael Valencia. “We’re only the second Merced team to win a national championship and did it playing against teams which come from cities with millions of people.”
The last time a team from Merced won the National Cup Finals was in 2012.
Merced Albion SC qualified for the national tournament, which was held July 17-21, by winning a state championship back in February.
The Merced club steamrolled through the National Cup Finals with a 2-1 win over Boston, a 7-1 win over Oklahoma City and a 4-1 win over Columbus. Merced then defeated Chicago 2-1 in the semifinals and then the 2-1 win over Los Angeles in the final.
Merced Albion SC player Tyrone Knight put together one of the highlights in the tournament with three goals against Oklahoma City.
Teammate Francisco Mendoza scored both goals in the championship win over Los Angeles.
Joining Knight and Mendoza on the Merced Albion SC roster were Jomei Montes, Johan Montes, Beckham Valencia, Jared Mucino, Immanuel Ewing, Hudson Parreira, Julian Padilla, Oscar Araiza, Jorge Salmeron, Paul Avila, Adrian Gonzalez, Elijah Mendoza, Austyn Granados, Adriel Veloz and Levie Ruiz.
“Most of these boys have been with me for about seven years,” Valencia said. “We hold tryouts every year.”
Valencia says the team is proud to represent Merced.
“Everywhere we go people, ask our guys where Merced is and they’re proud to put Merced on the map,” Valencia said.
