KHS student will play in national soccer tournament in Frisco

The 2018 U.S. Youth Soccer National Championship tournament kicks off in less than two weeks in Frisco, TX with teams from across the nation vying for a national title. One area team with a Kennedale connection will be in the mix. {{more: continue …}}?

Nevaeh Johnson (file photo 2018)

Nevaeh Johnson, a KHS sophomore, plays for the Sparta FC 02 16-under team. The team is composed of players from Parker, Tarrant and Johnson County. Earlier last month they won the South Regional tournament, securing their place in the national championship playoff that will begin July 24 at the Toyota Soccer Center in Frisco.?

“it is just a great group” …?

Team coach is Lee Hefley. He feels that one of the keys outside the talent that is on this team is the fact that a core group have been together since elementary school. But, he feels that even from the newest to the veteran team player they all get along. He told the Weatherford Democrat, ?For the parents and players to stick with our team and gel as a unit is great. And they?re all friends. It?s just a great group.?

Road to the nationals ?

At the Southern Regional Championships in Greensboro, North Carolina on June 22, Sparta FC opened pool play with an 8-1 win over South Carolina team, defeated a team from Mississippi 3-0 and then settled for a 0-0 draw against a south Texas team, Rise SC 02 Elite 1.

In the quarterfinals Sparta Elite defeated a North Carolina club 3-2 and then won a semifinal match against a Georgia squad, 4-0.

The championship finals pitted North Texas against South Texas in a rematch against Rise SC 02 Elite. While the earlier match was 0-0, in this one, Sparta Elite spotted Rise a goal in the first half but then came back to win the game 2-1 in the second.

Pool play begins July 24 and continues until July 26. The semifinals and finals will be July 28-29.

Links …

?

National Tournament @?US Youth Soccer?

Team story @ Weatherford Democrat

?

Club Information @ Sparta Futbol Club

?