Club teams set to battle for national soccer titles

It’s club nationals championship week in Canadian soccer. The best amateur teams in men’s, women’s and youth will be vying for club supremacy in three venues across the country.

That includes a near Saskatoon sweep. Only FC Regina claimed a spot outside our city, beating Saskatoon North in the under-15 girl’s provincial final.

SASKATOON SOUTH (UNDER-15 BOYS), CALGARY

Coach Riley Ludwig has his team battle-ready for some large tests his team will face this week. After an undefeated season in Saskatchewan’s Premier Soccer League, South qualified with a 2-1 win over QC United Regina in the provincial final.

Comprised of many players who were at nationals a year ago with Eastside, captains Grayson Goodwin and Luis Gonzalez lead a Saskatoon South squad with higher expectations than a year ago. They persevered through a more difficult provincial season and got better as the year progressed.

They’ll face the P.E.I. champions Thursday and the Ontario champs Friday. The top two advance to the quarter-finals.

SASKATOON SASK SELECTS (UNDER-17 GIRLS), FREDERICTON

The Selects beat both Regina teams to qualify for club nationals in New Brunswick.

Finishing the season with five wins and two draws, the Selects allowed only three goals all season.

Shayla Lukey and Davis Bone led the team in goals.

The girls’ tournament consists of two groups of five. It will be a difficult start as they play the winners of Quebec and Alberta in their first two games. They also face Newfoundland and Manitoba.

SASKATOON NORTH (UNDER-17 BOYS), FREDERICTON

It was a masterful 6-1 victory over QC United that secured Saskatoon North a trip to Fredericton. A confident side that loves to attack and score goals is a rarity for a Saskatchewan team, although prevailing in our province doesn’t necessarily carry over into results nationally. Coach Sam Martin, captain Ben Kutas, and his teammates are in for the stiffest test of their careers.

They find themselves in what could be deemed a group of death. They open with a massive clash with the Ontario champions from Mississauga. Following that are matches against Alberta, Nova Scotia and Quebec. Let’s see what this attack-minded team can do against the best in the country.

SK IMPACT FC (JUBILEE TROPHY WOMEN), SURREY

The Impact return to nationals with some new faces. University of Saskatchewan alumni Carmen Gorlick, Meagan Manson and Ali Goodman join the club. The team is looking to improve on its seventh place finish a year ago.

They are younger and arguably better. Coached by Abu Okonofua, they face a unique schedule format. With three pools of three, they play Newfoundland and Quebec. The winner of the group advances to a final group of three and is guaranteed a medal.

Impact is in Group A. They avoided heavyweight Group C that includes Alberta, Ontario and B.C.

HUSA ALUMNI (CHALLENGE TROPHY MEN), SURREY

HUSA Alumni have represented Saskatchewan at the Challenge Trophy every year since 2009. Alumni have reached the semifinals five of the last six years, capturing two bronze medals and a national title in 2011.

Stewart Gillott’s team remains intact from previous years. It includes seasoned veterans Jay Tomchuk and Nathan Reis up front, the timeless Ryan McAllister and Dwayne Gareau at midfield, and Brendan Garritty and Jarvis Huyghebaert at centre back.

This year’s format reverts to two groups of five. There’s little room for error. HUSA faces old foe Calgary Callies in the second match.