U-11 Walnut Creek United Wins California Cup Championship

It was a historic weekend for the Walnut Creek Soccer Club as its Under-11 boys team, the Walnut Creek United, captured the California Cup championship in Cherry Island, near Sacramento.

The tournament is regarded as one of the most competitive youth soccer tournaments in Northern California and one the WCSC has never had a team win.

"It was big accomplishment for the boys and speaks volumes about the type of team they are becoming," head coach Chris Rodd said.

After going 1-0-1 on Saturday, the United beat Placer United 5-1 and the De Anza Force 6-0 to advance to the championship game, where it put together its most dominant performance of the weekend.

James Person's hat trick sprung the United to a 7-1 demolition of San Juan, which sparked a post-game dog pile and emotional victory lap.

"Some of the boys were so happy they were crying," Rodd said. "A couple of the parents were in tears as well, it was a great atmosphere."

Person was named the tournament Most Valuable Player, while Kellen Dresdown, Ian Nicholas and Devyn Fisher stood out on a defense which allowed just four goals in five games.

Rodd, who starred at San Ramon Valley High before playing collegiately at the University of San Francisco and professionally for Norway's Bryne FK, took over as coach in March and said he's seen tremendous strides of improvement since then.

"Before the tournament, I was a little nervous and did not know what to expect," Rodd said. "I knew the team had potential to be good, but they played amazing."

When Rodd took over, the United was ranked No. 45 in NorCal, but have since jumped up to No. 19 and figure to be even higher when the next batch of rankings is released taking into account the weekend's result.

The United is the highest ranked Walnut Creek team.

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Walnut Creek Patch would like to congratulate the team comprised of:

Nick Eusebio, Bryson Pattersown, Ross Gruen, Michael Jacobsen,
Devyn Fisher, Jordon Burkes, James Person, Kellen Dresdow, Yanni
Polyzos, Jakes Gaines, Ian Nicolas, Nicolas Bland.  Manager, Scott
Gaines and head coach, Chris Rodd.