The Santa Barbara Soccer Club U19 Boys White team will be competing against the best of the best in the US Club Soccer National Cup Finals in Denver next week.
SBSC will compete in the Super Cup division, the highest of the national tournament, beginning on July 17 at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Denver. The national championship is set for July 21.
“We are very excited to represent Santa Barbara Soccer Club at Nationals,” head coach Johnny Whallon said. “Our guys have worked so hard to get to this place, and it is an honor to play against some of the best club teams in the country in our division at such a great venue.
“Our captains have done a terrific job leading our team throughout this season. I am also thankful to the Santa Barbara Soccer Club Board of Directors for their support and encouragement of this team.”
The team qualified for the National Finals by winning the SoCal State Super Cup in April, earning them the opportunity to bypass the regional tournament.
In the State Cup Run, SBSC went 2-1 in pool play and snuck into the elimination bracket as a wild card. They then rattled off three straight victories to win it all.
The team is composed of high school seniors, juniors and sophomores from seven different high schools between Carpinteria and Santa Ynez.
Led by captains Brennen Van Wingerden and Jacob Barsky, the team boasts several players either committed or signed to play at the college level.
The club is looking to win its first national championship since 2016 after it won four titles between 2012 and 2016.
“We have been inspired by the Rudy Ybarra-coached teams of that era,” Whallon said. “Some of those players have been meeting and speaking with our team. We are also excited that Rudy will speak with our team before we depart, as well.
“Our goal is to earn a fifth star for the club, and we want to honor the legacy of the teams who have gone before us at Nationals, and also want to inspire future teams within the club.”
While the team has the talent to compete on the national stage, it is looking for help from the community in the form of donations to cover the cost of the trip.
“Regardless of results in Denver, I’m already proud of how hard these boys have worked and thankful for the tremendous support from their families, the club, and this community that has helped make this opportunity possible,” Whallon said.
Those interested in supporting the team’s fundraising efforts can contact the club at 805-452-0083 or info@santabarbarasc.org.
The team consists of Sebastian Birchenall, Jackson Elliott, Nic Forry, Giacomo Gabrielli, Miguel Greenberg, Josue Iventura Castro, Alex Kobayashi, Josue Lopez Gastelum, Marvin Lujano Ortiz, Eli Meisel, Quinn Myers, Brennen Van Wingerden, Kamil Abdul Nafeo, Isaac Bakwira, Jacob Barsky, Chris De Luna, George Marin, Pietro Nascente Tessari, Ian Zampelli, John Duffy, Inak Phillips and Micah Villa.
The team is coached by Johnny Whallon, Oscar Garcia and Diego Garcia. The team is managed by Dan Meisel.