Washington Premier FC’s BU-16 U.S. Soccer Development Academy team will join seven other teams from across the country to compete in Finals Week at the Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif.

“For their gender and age, these are probably the best players in the country,” WPFC president Charlie Dent said.

“I think most people regard this tournament as a legitimate national championship.”

The team, ranked No. 5 in the country, is in a four-team group with Cal Odyssey, Greensboro Youth Soccer and Players Development Academy of New Jersey. After playing a round-robin format, the top team will advance to face the No. 1 team from the other group in the national title game on July 17.

“This is exciting,” Dent said. “These kids have played very well to get there.”

WPFC earned the right to play in Finals Week when it won its group by beating CASL Chelsea, 1-0, on June 29 in Greensboro, N.C.

Earlier in the tournament, WPFC beat Fit Chelsea, 3-1, and tied Michigan’s Vardar, 2-2.

Thirty-two teams in eight groups qualified for the tournament.

Midfielder Nico de la Cruz, who helped South Kitsap win the Class 4A boys soccer state championship in May, was named to the West Conference’s Starting XI team earlier this week.

Washington Premier was created in 2005 when FC Royals, a girls club, and FC United, a boys club, merged.

The Royals won two national championships in 1996, and United claimed a national championship in 1999.

Washington Premier is one of two clubs in the state – Redmond-based Crossfire is the other – that participate in the 72-member U.S. Soccer Development Academy.

Doug Pacey: 253-597-8271

doug.pacey@thenewstribune.com

blogs.thenewstribune.com/preps