Five teams coached by Total Futbol turned in impressive performances at the recent Jefferson Cup Showcase, with one team taking home a bracket championship and players from two different teams earning all-region accolades from Soccer Wire for their impact play. Teams coached by TF competing in Richmond over two different weekends on March 14-15 and March 20-22 included McLean 96 ECNL (U18), VYS Thunder Black (U16), Herndon United 99 (U15), Chantilly Storm (U15), and Herndon Hurricanes (U12).

 

Two midfielders, McLean’s Lauren Harkes (2015) and VYS’s Camryn Conklin (2017), were named to the Potomac region’s “Best 11” roster for the week of March 16-22 (read more here). Harkes, who is committed to play for Clemson this Fall, scored five goals across three matches (including a hat trick in the opening game), as well as providing two assists. Conklin was involved in almost every goal scored by Thunder Black and was praised as being “dangerous all weekend long”.

 

One of the most competitive tournaments in the nation, Jefferson Cup turns down an average of more than 500 teams each year (about 700 teams representing 35 states are accepted). Merely qualifying to compete is a significant achievement for any team. Below are the results and select highlights for TF squads:

 

Team                                    Finish                       Bracket                               Results              

McLean 96 Girls ECNL             1st/12              U18 Championship             2-1-0: 10 GF 2, GA

VYS Thunder Black                 5th/12              U16 Elite Black                   2-1-0: 5 GF, 4 GA

Herndon United 99                 3rd/4                U15 Elite Black                    1-1-1: 2 GF, 1 GA

Chantilly Storm                      3rd/4               U15 Classic Orange              1-1-1: 4 GF, 4 GA

Herndon Hurricanes                1st/4                U12 Platinum 8v8               1-0-0: 3 GF, 0 GA

GF = Goals For; GA = Goals Against

 

“We are incredibly proud of all of our teams for earning a spot to compete at Jefferson Cup and for performing at a high level,” said TF Assistant Director Todd Hamlin. “Jefferson Cup is a great experience because it combines teams from many different leagues and areas of the country.  Our players took advantage of this valuable opportunity to play in meaningful games against some of the best competition available.”

 

McLean 96 ECNL:

McLean’s U18 ECNL team notched two decisive victories against locals PWSI Courage 96 Red (5-0) and PSC Baltimore (4-0), but fell unexpectedly on day 2 of the showcase to current Wisconsin state champs, Strike FC U18G Premier (1-2). Despite the loss, McLean emerged as victors of the U18 Championship bracket. Led by Lauren Harkes, the team turned in an offensive performance that racked up 10 goals in three games, while the defense conceded just two.  Coached by Moumen since 2011, Soccer Wire described the team as having “one of the best overall rosters in the country” in a tournament preview (read it here).

 

VSA Thunder Black:

Thunder Black started off with a convincing 3-1 victory over New Jersey Rush 98 NPL, followed by a 1-3 loss to Tennessee SC 17 and a 1-0 win against Premier Real (MD). The team’s 2-1-0 record placed them in a four-way tie for second place (with 18 points earned), but tiebreaker rules ultimately dictated a 5th place finish in the bracket. Midfielder Camryn Conklin sparked an offense that scored 5 goals during the tournament, while the defense allowed four.

 

Herndon United 99:

Herndon United went 1-1-1 over the weekend to finish third in the U15 Elite Black bracket. On the way, the team scored two goals and let in only one. An epic clash against eventual bracket champs ISA Elite 99 (NY-East) was United’s lone, narrow loss on the weekend. Soccer Wire described the match as “a show of two great defenses” and singled out defenders Stephanie Salazar (2017) and Morgan Pettit (2018) for stellar play (read more here). United also tied the Atlanta Fire United ECNL team 0-0 and prevailed 2-0 over the Toms River FC Everton squad (NJ).

 

Chantilly Storm:

In Chantilly Storm’s 1-1-1 showing at Jefferson Cup, the team scored a total of four goals while conceding the same number to opponents. The Storm tallied a 2-1 win over Match Fit Academy’s NPL team (NJ) and a 1-1 draw with Connecticut FC’s NPL team before falling 2-1 to eventual bracket finalists HFC Ready (PA-East). The team’s first experience at Jeff Cup was a positive one, and the group looks to build on it next year.

 

Herndon Hurricanes Black:

The Hurricanes faced not only competition from their opponent, but challenging elements on a rain-soaked field.  Despite the conditions, Black raced to a 3-0 victory over ASA Arsenal in their opening match.  The result placed them at the top of their group, but it was the last game that they would complete.  The rain kept coming and the remainder of the bracket was canceled during the team’s second match vs. Century United FC.