Two flights and 12 hours later, the ’08 boys team from Alaska Eclipse SC finally arrived in Minneapolis to take part in this year’s Target USA CUP. The team was looking for a tournament somewhere “warm” and found themselves registered for both the weekend and week-long soccer tournament. As championship Saturday approaches, the team from Fairbanks has a record of 3-0, has scored 19 goals and finds themselves one win away from heading to the championship game in the U13 division.
Eight teams represented the state of Alaska in this year’s Target USA CUP. The Eclipse teams were eager to arrive at the national tournament and play a variety of different teams from other states after typically only playing the five other club teams that hail from Alaska.
Once the team arrived, places like Canes and the Mall of America were frequent requests from players on the team. A visit to Allianz Field might have been the coolest part about this soccer mini vacation. After winning an Instagram contest for registered teams in this year’s tournament, the team was able to get a VIP tour of the Loon’s stadium in the capital city. “Being from Alaska we don’t have any professional teams so it’s nice to get the tour and the boys get to see what it’s like to be a professional for a day,” head coach Pete Shurr said.
The team will face Minnesota Rush, another team that’s 3-0 in the semi-final game tonight at 7:00 p.m. on field 55. The team’s mascot, a soccer playing toy cow, will be there for support in tonight’s game. Shurr compared the cow to Minnesota United F.C.’s spirit rock which is touched by players entering the pitch before each game. The team’s energy and excitement is palpable. “The boys are just incredible,” Shurr said. “They’re easy going, we don’t have any attitudes or egos on the team. Everyone just loves to work together and get along.”
Stay up-to-date with Eclipse 08 boys here.
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram
YouTube
RSS