Atlanta Fire United SA U16-Gold Boys Bring Home 2015 Vulcan Cup Championship
BIRMINGHAM, AL (March 10, 2015) — The Atlanta Fire United U16 98/99 Gold Boys team won the prestigious Red Diamond Vulcan Cup Soccer Tournament in Birmingham, Alabama this past weekend. The Red Diamond Vulcan Cup is one of the Southeast’s premier soccer tournaments, hosting 261 teams from nine different states around the country.
The Atlanta Fire 98/99 Gold Boys are the champions of the U16 Gold bracket, winning games against Bay County Youth Soccer Association (FL), Birmingham Hammers (Al), Bryson Park/KSA (GA), FC United (MS), Fairfield Optimist Soccer Club (OH) and Mississippi Brilla FC (MS). The team is coached by Stephen George.
Atlanta Fire United SA Players Selected To ODP National Championship Roster
Congratulations to the four Atlanta Fire United Soccer Association boys players selected to play for the 1999 Georgia team in the United States Olympic Development National Championships. Players represented were GK Angello Lazar from the U15-Boys Elite team coached by Mirza Mustafic and Henry Benavides, Josh Mackie and Maroun Sassine who all play for the U16-Elite team coached by Bryan Waltenburg. NOTE: All four were selected started for the GA State Team.
The schedule and field of 16 teams are set for the 2015 US Youth Soccer Olympic Development Program (US Youth Soccer ODP) Championships, which will be played Feb. 27-March 1 at the Reach 11 Sports Complex in Phoenix. The US Youth Soccer ODP Championships will feature teams in the 1998 and 1999 age groups.
The participating teams have qualified by winning their respective age group at the US Youth Soccer ODP Regional Championships. California South has swept the ODP Championships in the last two years, but will not be able to do so for a third straight year thanks to Utah 99 claiming the 1999 Boys title at the The US Youth Soccer ODP Region IV Championships, played Jan. 8-11 at the Reach 11 Sports Complex. Cal South claimed 8 out of 10 titles at the 2015 ODP Region IV Championships including the other three ODP Championship slots in the 1998 Boys, 1998 Girls and 1999 Girls age groups. These four teams will join the other qualifying teams from Region I, II and III.
2015 US Youth Soccer ODP Championship Teams:
1998 Girls Teams: Eastern New York, Iowa, Georgia, Cal South
1998 Boys Teams: Pennsylvania West, Iowa, Florida, Cal South
1999 Girls Teams: New York West, Illinois, Florida, Cal South
1999 Boys Teams: Virginia, Michigan, Georgia, Utah
Rosters: 1998 Boys | 1998 Girls | 1999 Boys | 1999 Girls
The state-level US Youth Soccer ODP Boys and Girls teams will play semifinal matches on Friday, Feb. 27, beginning at 1 p.m., with championship and consolation matches to be played Sunday, March 1 beginning at 8 a.m.
Players try out for the high-level US Youth Soccer ODP through a series of trials at their US Youth Soccer State Association. Those selected are exposed to some of the nation's best coaches, trainers and facilities.
US Youth Soccer ODP is the original Olympic development program and the only elite player development program that can claim members of Major League Soccer and National Women’s Soccer League, as well as a majority of current and past national and youth national team members, as alumni. With programs in all 55 State Associations, as well as regional and national championships and participation in international tournaments, US Youth Soccer ODP continues to offer development and exposure opportunities to any player, regardless of hometown or club affiliation.
U13-Boys Silver SSA Spring Classic Champions!!!
February 15th, Kennesaw, GA: Congratulations to the U13 Boys Silver team, coached by Hugo Cicamois who won the 2015 SSA Spring Classic. The boys went undefeated, they scored 11 goals and received 1 goal. A great way to start the spring season boys!
U16-Boys Elite Classic 1 Champs!!!
December 3rd, Duluth, GA: Congrats to the U16-Boys Elite team, coached by Bryan Waltenburg, for their recent 1st place finish in Classic 1 and top state cup seeding in May. The team will now travel to compete in both the CASL College Showcase and Disney Showcase which are two of the top youth soccer events in the country.
"Coach Bryan's group displayed terrific attitude and work ethic throughout the entire season. After finishing 2nd and 3rd in previous years, the goal was clear and that was to win the league. I would like to congratulate Coach Bryan and the boys for winning the U16 Classic 1 division and on their fantastic record this season" Mirza Mustafic - Boys DOC.
U13-Boys Silver Promoted To Classic 3
November 26th, Duluth, GA: Congratulations go out to coach Hugo Cicamois and his U13 Silver Team for being promoted a classic level for the Spring 2015 season. Team finished with a record of W 7- L 2 - T 1.
“Coach Hugo has done a very good job with his team. Slowly he has been able to introduce an attractive and successful style of soccer. I’m looking forward to seeing more great things and continuous success from the boys. Congratulation!!! Way to go boys!” – Mirza Mustafic Boys DOC.
U16-Boys Gold Promoted To Classic 1
November 25th, Duluth, GA: On Sunday, November 16th, the AFU U16 Gold team wrapped up the Classic 2 Division championship with their 3-0 win over MAYS Buckhead Strikers. The team finishes the season with an 11-2 record totaling 55 points overall. Throughout the season, the U16 Gold were able to average 2.6 goals a game while only allowing 0.8 goals per game.
The U16 Gold team has come a long way since they first entered select soccer. Originally playing in Classic IV as U13's, the team has continually finished as champions or runner-up in their respective divisions to gain promotion. Over the past three years, their regular season combined record totals 26 wins, 3 losses, and 7 draws.
“Coach Stephen, who actually grew up playing with Atlanta Fire United, has been able to mold this group of boys into real winners. Season after season they have been able to gain promotion. This absolutely is an incredibly success story. Great Job boys!!!" – Mirza Mustafic Boys DOC
U15-Boys Gold Promoted To Classic 1
November 20th, Duluth, GA: Congratulations to the U15-Boys Gold team, coached by Davor Kulasinac, for their recent 2nd place finish in Classic 2 and now guaranteed promotion to Classic 1 for the Fall 2015 season. The team finished the Fall 8-2-2 with only 6 goals given up all season.
"This is a 2nd divisional promotion for this team within one year. We are very proud of this accomplishment. Coach Davor and his team worked extremely hard this season to reach this goal. I would like to congratulate all players on the U15 Gold Team and Coach Davor!!!, " Mirza Mustafic, Boys Director of Coaching, stated.
U16 AFU Boys Gold Charlotte Invitational Champions
August 17th, Charlotte, NC: Congratulations to Coach Stephen George and the Boys U16 Gold who won the Charlotte Soccer Academy Invitational on August 17th. The group had a near perfect weekend scoring 14 goals and only allowing 1.