Riverside Soccer Team Goes Undefeated at National Tournament

Albion SC Riverside’s Under-17 boys team went 4-0 at the Elite Academy National tournament in Missouri from June 19–22, scoring 10 goals and giving up only three while winning every game in the playoff bracket.

The team's success was recognized with four players named to the tournament’s “Best 11” all-star team: Lucas Hernandez, Hugo Gomez, Richard Milam and goalkeeper Johan Aldana.

Coach Bryan Magana’s squad defeated clubs from Michigan, New Mexico, Colorado and Minnesota. Their biggest win was a 5-2 result against United FC Michigan, and they closed out the tournament with a 1-0 shutout over Tonka Fusion.

The tournament brought together top youth soccer teams from across the country. These teams compete in Elite Academy, one of the highest levels of club soccer for teens in the United States.

Magana, a Riverside Poly graduate, has coached this group for more than five years and previously led them to national success. The team won the 2022 EA National tournament and repeated the feat this year.

“It’s been a journey with these boys,” Magana said. “This group is special—they have shown pure passion and commitment.”

Elite Academy teams provide a pathway for players who want to play college soccer or pursue professional opportunities. Only the top-performing clubs compete at this level.

Riverside faced teams from major metro areas like Detroit, Houston, Las Vegas and Seattle—cities with much larger player pools.

The tournament’s playoff rounds were single-elimination, meaning one loss would have ended their season. The Riverside team stayed composed under pressure and won every match to claim the title.

This marks the final club season for the team. They will compete in the new MLS II format before aging out of youth competition.

“Now they are on their last year of club soccer and going to compete in the new MLS II format,” Magana said. “Excited for their last year.”