By this point, the NC Courage’s Women’s International Champions Cup (ICC) title-winning run is just about common knowledge. For those still behind in the news cycle, The Courage went to Miami, Fla., in late July and defeated women’s soccer powerhouses PSG and Lyon to win the Women’s ICC Championship and further cement their status as the best women’s professional soccer team in the world.
While the Courage were busy making headlines under the lights, another group associated with the North Carolina Football Club was also busy defeating the world’s best at their respective level of competition in the International Champions Cup Futures in Orlando, Fla.
ICC Futures Provide New Experience for Youth Players:
North Carolina Football Club’s Michael Milazzo led a U-14 North Carolina All-Star team, consisting of top players around the state to the ICC Futures. The competition featured 24 teams from the United States and Europe, comprising of the top U-14 players in the world, including eight teams from Major League Soccer’s Development Academy, eight State-represented All-Star teams and eight world-class European academy teams.
The ICC All Star North Carolina team, led by 13 players with ties to North Carolina Football Club, competed against the world’s best valiantly. Not only did the group gain invaluable experience to push them along in their development, but the competition served as a benchmark for where its players stand when compared to world-class competition.
“Overall, we believe that we showcased our talents extremely well and this event allowed us to test ourselves against some of the world’s best U-14 players, said Milazzo. “It was a true measuring stick for the players and staff to see how good we are, how good we can be and what we need to improve on to play at this consistent high level. We talk about the next level, not only did we see what the next level is, we lived it, faced it, and many times defeated it.”
The NC All-Star team had one of the best tournament runs out of any club in the elite field of competition. After finishing second to only Chelsea in group play, North Carolina advanced all the way to the final of the ‘Bowl’ division, ousting MLS Academy opposition Houston Dynamo and Philadelphia Union and Premier League Academy side Liverpool FC along the way. In the final, NCFC faced another Premier League giant in Tottenham Hotspur FC before falling on penalties.
By this point, the NC Courage’s Women’s International Champions Cup (ICC) title-winning run is just about common knowledge. For those still behind in the news cycle, The Courage went to Miami, Fla., in late July and defeated women’s soccer powerhouses PSG and Lyon to win the Women’s ICC Championship and further cement their status as the best women’s professional soccer team in the world.
While the Courage were busy making headlines under the lights, another group associated with the North Carolina Football Club was also busy defeating the world’s best at their respective level of competition in the International Champions Cup Futures in Orlando, Fla.
ICC Futures Provide New Experience for Youth Players:
North Carolina Football Club’s Michael Milazzo led a U-14 North Carolina All-Star team, consisting of top players around the state to the ICC Futures. The competition featured 24 teams from the United States and Europe, comprising of the top U-14 players in the world, including eight teams from Major League Soccer’s Development Academy, eight State-represented All-Star teams and eight world-class European academy teams.
The ICC All Star North Carolina team, led by 13 players with ties to North Carolina Football Club, competed against the world’s best valiantly. Not only did the group gain invaluable experience to push them along in their development, but the competition served as a benchmark for where its players stand when compared to world-class competition.
“Overall, we believe that we showcased our talents extremely well and this event allowed us to test ourselves against some of the world’s best U-14 players, said Milazzo. “It was a true measuring stick for the players and staff to see how good we are, how good we can be and what we need to improve on to play at this consistent high level. We talk about the next level, not only did we see what the next level is, we lived it, faced it, and many times defeated it.”
The NC All-Star team had one of the best tournament runs out of any club in the elite field of competition. After finishing second to only Chelsea in group play, North Carolina advanced all the way to the final of the ‘Bowl’ division, ousting MLS Academy opposition Houston Dynamo and Philadelphia Union and Premier League Academy side Liverpool FC along the way. In the final, NCFC faced another Premier League giant in Tottenham Hotspur FC before falling on penalties.
Shaping The Roster:
The tournament featured the highest possible level of play in the world for the U-14 age group, giving the young players an opportunity play and learn in a true professional environment. Games were played at a quicker pace and featured more tactical play than the North Carolina teams usually see during their regional seasons against teams from the Southeast.
Despite the differences in play, North Carolina FC faired exceptionally. The team quickly adjusted to the style of play and gelled on the field as the tournament wore on. While their results speak for themselves, a precise selection of the best players from the state of North Carolina helped ensure the successful showing.
Milazzo, along with UNC men’s soccer head coach Carlos Somoano and Queen City Mutiny Academy and Technical Director Jose Jimenez, undertook a four-month process of selecting the team. Through live-game and video analysis and assessment training sessions, the roster was carefully picked to ensure the right players from North Carolina were up for the challenge of facing the best players in the world from their age group.
Eventually, the All-Star team came together to feature players from North Carolina Football Club, Queen City Mutiny, Charlotte Soccer Academy, NC Fusion and the Carolina Rapids.
Shaping The Roster:
The tournament featured the highest possible level of play in the world for the U-14 age group, giving the young players an opportunity play and learn in a true professional environment. Games were played at a quicker pace and featured more tactical play than the North Carolina teams usually see during their regional seasons against teams from the Southeast.
Despite the differences in play, North Carolina FC faired exceptionally. The team quickly adjusted to the style of play and gelled on the field as the tournament wore on. While their results speak for themselves, a precise selection of the best players from the state of North Carolina helped ensure the successful showing.
Milazzo, along with UNC men’s soccer head coach Carlos Somoano and Queen City Mutiny Academy and Technical Director Jose Jimenez, undertook a four-month process of selecting the team. Through live-game and video analysis and assessment training sessions, the roster was carefully picked to ensure the right players from North Carolina were up for the challenge of facing the best players in the world from their age group.
Eventually, the All-Star team came together to feature players from North Carolina Football Club, Queen City Mutiny, Charlotte Soccer Academy, NC Fusion and the Carolina Rapids.
Benchmarking Future Stars:
One of the most important outcomes from the tournament didn’t come in an on-field result or from a post-game stat sheet. The ICC Futures provided all clubs involved the chance to benchmark players against their counterparts from the best teams in the world. This benefit was significantly important for the North Carolina Football Club, as a major piece in the club’s overarching youth-to-professional pipeline is youth development.
“North Carolina has many talented individual soccer players, our challenge is now to provide these players, the best possible, professional-level experiences,” added Milazzo. “Whether it be through international competition with their academy teams, or providing them opportunities to train, compete and play alongside professional players, it’s the direction we need to go if we want to be progressive and truly be known for developing players. Providing opportunities like the ICC Futures, or even training and playing with NCFC professional players helps our club continue to be at the forefront of youth development.”
As North Carolina Football Club continues to develop players and build on its success from the foundation of youth soccer, look for the impact of the ICC Futures to have a lasting effect on the club. Not many players can able to say they’ve faced MLS and Premier League opposition, but 13 young players from North Carolina Football Club will enter their respective seasons with the experience and a benchmark of knowing where they stand when compared to their piers from around the world.
Benchmarking Future Stars:
One of the most important outcomes from the tournament didn’t come in an on-field result or from a post-game stat sheet. The ICC Futures provided all clubs involved the chance to benchmark players against their counterparts from the best teams in the world. This benefit was significantly important for the North Carolina Football Club, as a major piece in the club’s overarching youth-to-professional pipeline is youth development.
“North Carolina has many talented individual soccer players, our challenge is now to provide these players, the best possible, professional-level experiences,” added Milazzo. “Whether it be through international competition with their academy teams, or providing them opportunities to train, compete and play alongside professional players, it’s the direction we need to go if we want to be progressive and truly be known for developing players. Providing opportunities like the ICC Futures, or even training and playing with NCFC professional players helps our club continue to be at the forefront of youth development.”
As North Carolina Football Club continues to develop players and build on its success from the foundation of youth soccer, look for the impact of the ICC Futures to have a lasting effect on the club. Not many players can able to say they’ve faced MLS and Premier League opposition, but 13 young players from North Carolina Football Club will enter their respective seasons with the experience and a benchmark of knowing where they stand when compared to their piers from around the world.
Results:
Group Stage – Monday, July 16
ICC All-Stars NC defeated Houston Dynamo 2-1
NC Goals: Brendan Lambe (13'), Brayden Copeland (33')
Group Stage – Tuesday, July 17
ICC All-Stars NC defeated ICC All-Stars California 3-0
NC Goals: Yekeson Subah (5', 8'), Jesus Bustos (16')
Group Stage – Wednesday, July 18
ICC All-Stars NC lost to Chelsea 4-1
NC Goal: Marvin Mariche (29')
Quarterfinals – Friday, July 20
ICC All-Stars NC defeated Liverpool 4-0
NC Goals: Marvin Mariche (23'), Chris Thaggard (36'), Brendan Lambe (49'), Brayden Copeland (60')
Semifinals – Saturday, July 21
ICC All-Stars NC defeated Philadelphia Union 3-1
NC Goals: Brendan Lambe (33'), Hector Velazco (59'), Chris Thaggard (65')
Final – Sunday, July 22
ICC All-Stars NC tied Tottenham Hotspur 1-1 (Tottenham advanced on Penalties)
NC Goal: Marvin Mariche (26').
NC All-Stars Roster:
|
Player: |
Youth Club: |
|
Sam Terranova |
NCFC Youth South |
|
Marlon Mellado |
NCFC Youth South |
|
Brendan Tierney |
NCFC Youth South |
|
Jeremy Arukwe |
NCFC Youth North |
|
Cristian Milazzo |
NCFC Youth South |
|
Caden Tolentino |
NCFC Youth South |
|
Marvin Mariche |
NCFC Youth North |
|
Brendan Lambe |
NCFC Pro Academy |
|
Chris Thaggard |
Queen City Mutiny |
|
Hector Velazco |
NCFC Youth South |
|
Yekeson Subah |
NCFC Youth North |
|
Jesus Bustos |
NCFC Youth North |
|
Ardlai Pinto |
Charlotte Soccer Academy |
|
Bryce Swinehart |
Charlotte Soccer Academy |
|
Brayden Copeland |
NC Fusion |
|
Drew Kerr |
NCFC Youth North |
|
Ervin Cruz Garcia |
NCFC Youth South |
|
Zach Murphy |
Carolina Rapids |
Results:
Group Stage – Monday, July 16
ICC All-Stars NC defeated Houston Dynamo 2-1
NC Goals: Brendan Lambe (13′), Brayden Copeland (33′)
Group Stage – Tuesday, July 17
ICC All-Stars NC defeated ICC All-Stars California 3-0
NC Goals: Yekeson Subah (5′, 8′), Jesus Bustos (16′)
Group Stage – Wednesday, July 18
ICC All-Stars NC lost to Chelsea 4-1
NC Goal: Marvin Mariche (29′)
Quarterfinals – Friday, July 20
ICC All-Stars NC defeated Liverpool 4-0
NC Goals: Marvin Mariche (23′), Chris Thaggard (36′), Brendan Lambe (49′), Brayden Copeland (60′)
Semifinals – Saturday, July 21
ICC All-Stars NC defeated Philadelphia Union 3-1
NC Goals: Brendan Lambe (33′), Hector Velazco (59′), Chris Thaggard (65′)
Final – Sunday, July 22
ICC All-Stars NC tied Tottenham Hotspur 1-1 (Tottenham advanced on Penalties)
NC Goal: Marvin Mariche (26′).
NC All-Stars Roster:
|
Player: |
Youth Club: |
|
Sam Terranova |
NCFC Youth South |
|
Marlon Mellado |
NCFC Youth South |
|
Brendan Tierney |
NCFC Youth South |
|
Jeremy Arukwe |
NCFC Youth North |
|
Cristian Milazzo |
NCFC Youth South |
|
Caden Tolentino |
NCFC Youth South |
|
Marvin Mariche |
NCFC Youth North |
|
Brendan Lambe |
NCFC Pro Academy |
|
Chris Thaggard |
Queen City Mutiny |
|
Hector Velazco |
NCFC Youth South |
|
Yekeson Subah |
NCFC Youth North |
|
Jesus Bustos |
NCFC Youth North |
|
Ardlai Pinto |
Charlotte Soccer Academy |
|
Bryce Swinehart |
Charlotte Soccer Academy |
|
Brayden Copeland |
NC Fusion |
|
Drew Kerr |
NCFC Youth North |
|
Ervin Cruz Garcia |
NCFC Youth South |
|
Zach Murphy |
Carolina Rapids |
