The two-time defending National Champions, Libertyville FC 1974 (17U Champs in 2022 and 18U Champs in 2023) lead a talented group of Illinois teams that head to Orlando to compete for the ultimate prize in youth soccer, the US Youth Soccer National Championship. The ONLY way teams can compete in the USYS National Championships is by earning their place thru the Regional Championships or the USYS National League.
In total, 13 Illinois Youth Soccer member teams will compete against other top teams in the country with the goal of being the 32nd team from the Land Of Lincoln to bring home a USYS National Champion Trophy. Click the team name below to see their full schedule and follow results throughout the event
- 13U Boys: Bloomingdale Lighting FC. After winning their club’s first Midwest Regional Championship in June, the 13U Boys Illinois State Cup Champions look to claim the club’s first USYS National Championship.
- 14U Boys: Ponys FC. Ponys FC is back at Nationals and looking to finish the job, after falling in the National Championship Final in 2023. This team has experience on the National level having performed well in National League and also are back-to-back State Cup and Midwest Regional Champions.
- 14U Girls: Galaxy SC. The Illinois State Cup Champions qualified for Nationals via their performance in the US Youth Soccer National League. Although young, this Galaxy squad has lots of experience playing against top-level teams, and as back-to-back State Cup Champions, have shown they know how to win close games.
- 15U Boys: Raiders FC. After missing out on advancing to the National Semifinals in 2023 due to tiebreakers, Raiders FC was highly driven to get back to the national stage in 2024. They secured their trip to the National Championships thru the National League and now will use last year’s experience as motivation to get out of group play and beyond.
- 16U Boys: Galaxy SC. The back-to-back State Cup Champions make their first trip to the National Championships. Their performance in the USYS National League has shown they can compete against anyone in the country as they look to add to Galaxy’s long history of success at the National Championships.
- 17U Boys: Libertyville FC 1974 Elite. GLSA’s experience in E64 propelled them to securing a spot in Nationals via National League P.R.O. Having played against some of the best competition in the Midwest and the US, this team should be well prepared to make a run for a National title.
- 17U Girls: Libertyville FC 1974 Elite. Another National League Qualifier and Illinois State Cup Finalists, this veteran group is used to playing in high stakes matches and looks to become the club’s 2nd girls team to win a National Championship.
- 18U Boys: Chicago Fire Youth SC Premier. After falling in the Midwest Regional Final, a Wild Card berth has given Chicago Fire another chance to compete for the National title. This is the 3rd straight trip to the National Championships for this 2006 Fire group, so they head into the competition focused and ready.
- 18U Girls: Wheaton United Academy. This team is a true groundbreaker for their club having been the first team for Wheaton United to advance to the regional championships, win a Midwest title and now play for a National Championship. After outscoring their opponents by 9 goals at Regionals they are playing great soccer and look to ride that wave of success to a National title.
- 19U Boy: Libertyville FC 1974 Elite. After winning three National Championships (14U in 2019, 17U in 2022 & 18U in 2023) this GLSA squad is among the best teams not only in Illinois’ history but also US Youth Soccer’s. Should they win their 3rd straight Natty, the argument may shift to not IF they are among the best, but rather if they are THE best to ever do it.
- 19U Boys: Galaxy SC. For the past two years, Galaxy SC has finished as National Finalists and watched their in-state rival hoist the National Championship trophy. After winning the Midwest Regional Championships last month, they come into Nationals fine-tuned and ready to take the top spot in their final run for a National title.
- 19U Boys: Raiders FC. In 2023, Raiders FC lost in the National Semifinal, which many saw as the Game Of The Year; an OT thriller that saw comeback, after comeback, that was ultimately decided in kicks. The players and coaches remember that game and will use it as motivation to end their youth soccer run as National Champions.
- 19U Boys: Mundelein SC. After missing out on the trip to Disney in 2023, the 2022 National Semifinalists return to the Nationals with their sights set on finishing their youth soccer careers by hoisting the James P. McGuire Cup, the oldest trophy in youth sports.
Each summer US Youth Soccer crowns a 13U-19U Boys and Girls national champion after a culmination of year-long competitions at the state and regional levels during the National Championships presented by New York Life Insurance. Consisting of approximately 185,000 players on 10,000 teams from USYS’ 54 State Associations, it offers the opportunity to showcase your talent against the best competition in the nation.
The Fall Illinois State Cup, the first step towards a National Championship for 15U-19U Girls teams, kicks off in August. If you missed the registration deadline and would still like to compete, email chrisj@illinoisyouthsoccer.org ASAP.
While some matches may be available via live stream please note that any social media comments with links to streams are SPAM. Only links from official US Youth Soccer accounts or posted by Illinois Youth Soccer are legit.