Homestead’s loyal soccer fans had more reasons to celebrate this year as the American Youth Soccer Organization (AYSO) U12 Girls team won first place in the 2015 All Stars Team Tournament and are now the State Champions for the second year in a row. The U10 Girls and Boys teams and U19 Boys Team also came home with third place wins. To honor the teamwork, perseverance, and determination of the coaches and players, Councilman Jon Burgess recognized them at the February City Council Presentations.
As Councilman Jon Burgess made the presentations, he spoke about the leadership and athletic talent the AYSO Homestead soccer teams have on the field. “I want to applaud the dedication of Tim Norton and his Board for continuing to grow the AYSO programs in Homestead. We now have approximately 600 kids involved here in Homestead,” said Councilman Burgess. “Youth sports programs aren’t just about growing our children as athletes, but as citizens and future leaders.”
The AYSO is the oldest national youth soccer program in the United States. It started from humble beginnings with only nine teams and a handful of soccer enthusiasts in 1964. AYSO has grown to a non-profit organization that provides youth soccer programs for participants all over the United States and internationally in the Virgin Islands and Trinidad and Tobago. Consisting of over 50,000 teams and 500,000 players nationwide, AYSO is one of the leading youth soccer organizations in the world.
Councilman Burgess made his presentations as proud parents, families, and supporters in the audience cheered on all the coaches and players.
From the U-10 Girls Division, third place winners were honored and recognized: Bryanna Ashliman, Dierra Cantu, Emily Deleon, Riley Eichler, Darianna Gandia, Miah Gonzalez, Abigail Lopez, Kennedi McPhee, and Samantha Ruiz and Coach Josue Morga
From the U-10 Boys Division, third place winners were honored and recognized: Gavin Allen, Dylan Anderson, Drew Armstrong, Jon Burgess (proud Daddy-Councilman Burgess), Cason Campbell, Nyrobie Habben, Christian Jimenez, Arsenio Marrero, Landen Restrepo, and Coach Noe Jimenez.
The State Champions, U-12 Girls Division, first place winners were honored and recognized: MacKenzie Ashliman, Sarah D’Leon, Leanna Gallegos, Janeisy Gamino, Aliyah, Garcia, Shea Hanna, Riley McIntosh, Jessenia Molina, Layla Reyna, Valentina Santana, Emily Saucedo, Sarah Villa, and Head Coach Soila Gallegos and Assistant Coach Javier Gallegos.
From the U-19 Boys Division, third place winners: Christian Cortes, Samual De La Rosa, Dylan Floody, Juan Jose Gamino, Manual Gamino, Antonio Garcia, Desir Gerlin, John Gonzalez, Ricardo Herrrera, Timothy Norton, Emmanuel Nunez, Martin Padilla, Roberto Rosas, Denzel Sinclair, Marcello Trovato, Joffre Yepez, Luis Yepez, and Coach Juan Morgana. They were not able to attend this presentation.
