ORLANDO, FL - Since their 2023 USYS National Championship, Utah Celtic FC’s 2008 Boys have been on a tear. First, they won the 2007 U-17 Boys Premier 1 division, playing up a year and still beating the best teams in the state. They then went to State Cup where they coasted to the title, winning the final by a score of 3-1 at America First Field in Sandy.
Next, they went on to qualify for the National Championships through a successful NL PRO event.
In July, they went back to Orlando to defend their title and did exactly that, beating Galaxy SC in the final 2-0. Utah Celtic FC became the first boys team from the state of Utah to repeat as National Champions.
The win completes another run for the 2008 boys, who won their group with two wins and a draw. They beat Torpedoes SC from New Jersey by a score of 3-1 before beating Coppermine SC 4-1. They drew with Kansas Rush 2-2, which gave them enough points to advance top of the group.
In the semi-final they beat Stony Brook from New York by a score of 2-0.
In the tournament, they scored 13 goals and didn't concede any in the semi-final or final.
Coach Matt Bradley described the celebration following the win over Galaxy SC:
“As a coach, I couldn’t be more proud of this group and the grit they showed in pursuit of their goal to repeat this year. They wanted to make History and do what no other Boys team/club in Utah has been able to do. And they did it”
"The first championship seemed to be the easier one because nobody saw us coming. The second one was a lot harder because of the pressure to repeat and the giant target on your back each game. It takes a special group of guys and a lot of grit and determination to be able to overcome that. And these boys showed that in every training and match.”
The 2008 boys will now turn their focus to the Elite 64 season.
Congrats boys!