ORLANDO, Fla. (July 22, 2025) — The 2025 US Youth Soccer National Championships, presented by New York Life, kicked off Tuesday in Orlando, Fla., as 168 of the best teams in the country began their pursuit of history.
The field of teams includes 49 sides that qualified for Nationals by winning their respective pool at one of two National League Semifinal events during the 2024-25 season. Those teams were all in action on Tuesday, as they looked to build off the momentum of their earlier triumphs against some of the top teams from the National League.
In the 15U Boys age group, Tuzos Tucson Academy 10B E64 (AZ) picked up three points to begin Group B play with a 2-1 win — defeating ZYSA 10B Green NL (IN) in a tight matchup of NL Semifinals pool winners. Tuzos, a Silver Pool winner, knew the importance of a strong start at the National Championships.
“It means a lot to get this first win,” Tuzos right back/left winger Gabriel Kesitilwe said. “We’ve been trying to get to Nationals for a couple years now. Now that we’re finally here, it feels good to get a win and it motivates us to go further and further, and, hopefully, we can get to that final this year.”
The champions pool winners from National League Semifinals did especially well on Tuesday, as they recorded 12 wins, three losses and four draws. Overall, pool winners from all three levels of National League Semifinal events earned 23 wins, 14 losses and 12 draws, with 11 of the 14 defeats coming to other National League sides.
For many of the teams that battled through the National League events to get to Nationals, that experience provided great preparation for the biggest stage.
“Playing in the National League really helped us prepare for the competition here,” Kesitilwe said. “It really gave us an opportunity to play at the highest level in the league. Coming here, I feel like we’re prepared and ready to make a run to the finals.”
COLUMBUS UNITED LOOKING TO RECLAIM THE TITLE
Champions Pool winner Columbus United G10 Lions (OH) entered the week looking to regain the title of National Champions — which the team earned as a 13U side in 2023 — after it came up just short in the title game a year ago.
The 2024 finalists’ journey to reclaim the National title got off to an ideal start, as Columbus defeated NJ Nationals FC 2010 Girls Elite (NJ), 4-0, to move to the top of Group B. Zoey Davis ensured the Ohio side set off on the right foot when she put them in front just three minutes into the game, and Isabella Giannetti hammered a one-touch finish into the roof of the net to double the advantage just before halftime.
Cali Hejduk extended the lead in the 64th minute, and Taylor Whetzel capped the 4-0 win with a goal in stoppage time.
“We made it to the finals last year, and hopefully this year we can win,” Hejduk said. “We’ve been trying to get back in it, and we’ve been working really hard to get the cup back.
“In every game, we worked super hard. We’ve been training for this for a while now, and we’re really trying to get back in the final to win it.”
CELTIC GOING FOR THREE
After winning the Champions Pool at the NL Semifinals, Utah Celtic 08B E64 Bradley (UT) added even more fuel to a full tank of confidence and momentum it has built up over the past few seasons.
Their confidence likely rose even higher on Tuesday, as Utah side kicked off its quest for a third straight National Championship by securing a 3-1 win against Toca FC 08B Elite 64 (KS).
“We’re two-time defending champions, and we’re trying to go for a third one,” Utah Celtic winger Corbin Gardner said. “No one from Utah has ever won three before, and we’d love to make that statement and win three in a row.”
The tight battle of proven National League sides went scoreless until the 30th minute, when Celtic’s Blake Stuart opened the scoring. However, Toca replied minutes later with an Emmanuel Hernandez goal to level the score.
Celtic regained the lead in the 60th minute through a Jace Thomsen strike, and Brooks Barker’s goal eight minutes later added some breathing room as Utah claimed the win.
“Today’s win was very big because they’re very good team,” Gardner said. “Beating them gave us motivation to move on to the next round. We’re so focused. We’re staying hydrated and taking care of our bodies because we want that three-peat.”
The 2025 National Championships will continue on Wednesday when teams play their second of three group stage games. Games are being played the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex and the Omni Orlando Resort at ChampionsGate.