Cavalry Boys Play for National Championship on Monday in Denver

    Cavalry 2007 Black, a local boys soccer team, has made history by being the first team from the Brazos Valley to earn their way to the USC (United Soccer Clubs) National Cup Championship game in Denver, Colorado. The Cavalry 2007 Black team consists of 16 and 17 year old boys who all attend local high schools (A&M Consolidated, Brazos Christian, Cameron, College Station HS, Madisonville, Rudder, Navasota, and home schooled). 

     After first winning the Regional Tournament in late 2023, the team, which is coached by Chris Stephenson, advanced to the National Championships in Denver. At the National Cup, the boys played three games in the group stage earlier this week. They tied the first game 1-1 (goal by Luis Villanueva), the second game was won 5-0 (goals by Joseph Perez, Giovanni Perez, David Velasquez, Anthony Peacher (2)), and the third game was won 3-1 (goals by Enrique Tirado-Lopez, David Velasquez, and Giovanni Perez). This winning record led the team to the semi-final round where they played a very strong and athletic team from North Carolina. The game ended in extra time with a 2-1 win for Cavalry (goals by Giovanni Perez and Santiago Rueda).

    Along with the very talented goal scorers, Cavalry’s success can also be attributed to the two skilled goalkeepers: Samuel Seabolt and James Erdner. Together the boys only allowed 3 goals in 4 games along with having countless saves. Working alongside the keepers to maintain low numbers of goals scored against is a lockdown defense composed of Anthony Findley, Mason Green, Santiago Rueda, and Luis Villanueva. 

    To wrap up this tournament, Cavalry ‘07 Black will compete in the final game on Monday, July 22 against Chicago Fire Youth SC for a chance to be named the USC National Cup Champions. 

Cavalry 2007 Black Roster:

Jesus Alvarez

James Erdner

Anthony Findley

Mason Green

Axel Gutierrez

Beckham Ibarra

Anthony Peacher

Giovanni Perez

Joseph Perez

Santiago Rueda

Samuel Seabolt

Enrique Tirado-Lopez

David Velasquez

Luis Villanueva

Jackson Zanolini
Tristan Carpio

Christian Ocampo

Chris Stephenson-Coach