Tyler Pollack scored the game's lone goal as the Crew Juniors Under-19 squad defeated FC Delco Hammerheads, 1-0, Saturday on national TV to win the McGuire Cup National Championship at the Overland Park Soccer Complex, in Overland Park, Kan., where the country's top teams earned the opportunity to compete in the final step of the 2010 US Youth Soccer National Championship Series. This weekend's championship finals were determined after three days of round robin play, earlier this week.
Thunderstorms rolled through Overland Park, but did not dampen the spirit and excitement once the games kicked off under the lights. The Under-19 Boys championship match was broadcast live in HD on Fox Soccer Channel for the 75th anniversary of the James P. McGuire Cup. The match will re-air Wednesday, July 28 at 8 p.m. ET on Fox Soccer Channel.
It was an electric setting for the Under-19 Boys national championship game with over 3,500 fans in attendance to watch the 75th anniversary of the James P. McGuire Cup. Strong storms rolled through the area just prior to kickoff but cleared in time for the crowd to see Crew Juniors edge FC Delco of Pennsylvania. In a game that offered precious few scoring chances, the Crew's Pollack buried a header in the 36th minute giving the Brian Bliss-coached team the only goal it would need.
FC Delco created two late chances that were cleared safely. The Crew Juniors win earned the club its first youth national championship - also a first for a Major League Soccer youth academy team. The Crew Juniors raced onto the field hoisting the McGuire Cup to celebrate their win and last game together as youth players.
Each national championship match features the awarding of the adidas Golden Ball and Golden Glove award for outstanding play and goalkeeper, respectively. The adidas Golden Glove has been awarded since 1998, and the Crew's Justin Luthy of Dublin earned the distinction this year.
