GR Crew Juniors U14 Premier side advances to National Championship

Story courtesy GRCJ Public Relations

Grand Rapids, Mich. (June 26, 2008) - The Grand Rapids Crew Juniors (GRCJ) U14 Premier Team made history on Wednesday by being the first team ever from West Michigan to qualify for the National Championship Tournament in soccer. The team finished an impressive campaign in the Regional Championship final by beating the Wisconsin State Cup Champions, FC Milwaukee by 3-0. The road to the final was equally remarkable as the boys had a goal difference of 19-3 on the way beating the State Cup Champions from South Dakota, Minnesota, Nebraska and Kansas.

“We are extremely proud of this team and their accomplishment”, said Josh Sheldon GM/DOC of GRCJ. “It is clear that West Michigan soccer development is right up there with the best in the country. We just have to put the talent and coaching staff together so this can happen in all age groups.” “Talent like this will also help our local high school and college soccer programs” continued Josh, “positive exposure like this is good for all of West Michigan soccer.”

The team will now travel to Little Rock, Arkansas where the biggest stage in National club soccer is set for July 22 – 27. The US Youth Soccer National Championship Series started with more than 10000 teams last year and will conclude that week with four teams from each National Region. The young men on this squad will represent Region 2 and its 13 States as they go and compete in the U14 age group. For more information, go to www.championships.usyouthsoccer.org.

The Players:
Jason Stacy – Forest Hills Central, Jacob Vanderlaan – Grand Haven, Luke Bestrom – Caledonia, Taylor Mazurek – Brighton, Chase Rau – Sparta, Trevor Osburn – Traverse City Central, Sean Conerty – Forest Hills Central, Matt Harkema – Hudsonville Unity Christian, Diego Bobadilla – Holland, Ben Sinclair – Forest Hills Central, Andrew Lewis – Rockford, Hunter Vandenboom – Forest Hills Central, Jeremy Wodarek – Lowell, Nate Rose – Grand Haven, Greg Timmer – Hudsonville Unity Christian, Mike Smyser – Forest Hills Northern, Chad Gordon – Jenison, Caleb Postlewait – Home Schooled.

The Coaches:
Remco Bergsma – Head Coach
Todd Stacy – Assistant Coach

Crew Juniors Mission Statement
The Crew Juniors were formed to create the premier youth player development program in Major League Soccer. We strive to assemble the finest coaching staff and to be committed to their long-term development through continuing education. We commit to establishing an outstanding learning environment for young people, on and off of the field. We pledge to run the Crew Juniors organization with a sense of community, and a commitment to give back to the game and assist with its growth at all levels.