Two Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer teams claimed US Youth Soccer Region I Championships on Tuesday, July 4 in Spotsylvania, Virginia. Ukrainian Nationals Black Premier defeated Match Fit Academy FC (NJ), 1-0, to capture the U16 Boys title, while Penn Fusion '98 rolled to its third regional championship, this one in the U19/20 division. Penn Fusion routed Dix Hills Elite (NY-E) in the final, 6-0, after squeaking through the group stage and semifinal.

Both teams will advance to the US Youth Soccer National Championships in Frisco, Texas, July 24-30. They will be joined by two other Eastern Pennsylvania teams, FC Pennsylvania Strikers (U18 Girls) and YMS Premier Xplosion (U19/20). Both finished as runners-up in their respective age groups but earned their place at nationals through the National League.

In total, 21 Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer teams competed in the Region I Championships with 12 reaching the semifinals. In addition to the four teams qualifying for nationals, the Ukrainian Nationals (U14 Boys) and Lower Merion SC Invictus (U13 Boys) each finished in second place.

Congratulations to all the teams and good luck to the four advancing to Frisco!

U19/20 Boys Region I Champions: Penn Fusion '98

U16 Boys Region I Champions: Ukrainian Nationals Black Premier