MICHIGAN SOCCER NETWORK: MSN NEWS: www.michigansoccernetwork.com/msnnews
(Editor’s Note: The Michigan Soccer Network will continue its series about an assortment of Michigan-based youth club teams that competed in various age groups at various regional and national tournaments and playoffs during the months of June, July and August for all levels of the youth soccer pyramid. Send all pertinent information including results, stats, photos, and coach’s contact information to MSN Web and Content Editor / Director of News Dan Stickradt at stickradt@michigansoccernetwork.com and dstickradt@thepremiermediagrp.com or call the news department at 248-525-2349.)
BY DAN STICKRADT
COMMUNICATIONS SPECIALIST | WEB AND CONTENT EDITOR | DIRECTOR OF NEWS
Michigan Soccer Network | Premier Media Group
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BERKLEY, Mich. – If there is one thing that can describe Detroit City FC South Oakland 08-Rouge boys soccer team, it’s been a model of consistency all season. In fact, the talented side is undefeated entering the final week of the season.
Entering the US Youth Soccer President’s Cup National Tournament – the final week of the club soccer season for 2023-24 – South Oakland 08 has never taken its foot off the pedal all season and will be one of the top contenders entering the national tournament.
The USYS President’s Cup will take place July 12-17 in Wichita, Kansas, at the Stryker Complex where dozens of youth club teams from across the country will compete in the U13 to U19 divisions with hopes of walking off the pitch with the grand prize.
“I’m proud of the boys so far. They have battled tough all season and really came together,” said Dougie MacAulay, the Detroit City FC South Oakland 08-Rouge head coach. “They come from several different high schools but have learned to play well together. We found ways to win some very close games.”
After tying its second game of the regular season early in the year, South Oakland 08 has been on a tear by compiling an impressive 17-0-2 record. The team won its division in the MSPSP-Premier 1 ranks before entering the postseason.
South Oakland 08 finished a perfect 5-0-1 in the MSYSA State Cup Tournament back in late April and May to qualify for the USYS Midwest President’s Cup Regional Tournament in Sioux Falls, S.D., June 14-18 at Yankton Trail Park.
In Bracket D pool play of the MSYSA State Cup tournament, South Oakland 08 tied United FC 08 Boys-White (0-0) and defeated both Royal Oak FC 2008-Boys Wild Dogs (6-0) and Cap City Athletic 1847 2008-Boys Blue (7-1). South Oakland also defeated Detroit City-Genesee 08 (3-1) in the quarterfinals, Midland Fusion 08-Green (1-0) in the semifinals and AYSO United 08-Premier (3-1) in the finals to advance. Overall, South Oakland outscored the opposition 20-3 with three shutouts in the state cup tournament.
At the President’s Cup regional, the team continued to add to its resume with a 5-0-0 record. South Oakland 08 defeated Dakota Fusion 08-09 (5-2), Boreal FC 2008 U16-Green (1-0) and Overland Park SC E64-RL 2008 (2-1) in pool play before out-dueling Carol Stream Panthers Soccer Academy (5-4) in double overtime in the semifinals and Chicago Soccer Academy (3-2) in a game decided on penalties in the Midwest finals to earn their berth in the upcoming US Youth Soccer President’s Cup National Tournament. South Oakland outscored the opposition 16-9 in Sioux Falls.
It was at the Midwest President’s Cup that South Oakland 08 really tested its mettle.
Goalkeeper Nathan Calio (Berkley) made a multitude of key saves, including late in the semifinals where his team stormed back after being down 3-1, while making three clutch saves on penalties in the finals.
“Nathan stepped up by stopping those three penalties,” said MacAulay. “But that wouldn’t have happened if we didn’t get here. Great job by the lads for coming back in the semifinals after being down 3-1.
“Early in the year in one of our first games, we gave up a free kick late in the game from a similar spot and the other team scored on us to tie the game. It was the last kick of the game,” recalled MacAulay. “We had something similar (in the semifinals) and this time we didn’t let them score. It was a great comeback, too. We never gave up. This was one of the best games I’ve been associated with in a long time. We were (resilient) and found a way to come back.”
Made up of 17 players from a wide variety of area high schools in southeastern Michigan – Bloomfield Hills, Berkley, Detroit U-D Jesuit, Royal Oak and North Farmington amongst others – South Oakland 08 has put up the numbers. Nathan Calio (Berkley), Baylor Browning (Royal Oak), Benjamin Sanborn (Berkley), Brody Cain (Berkley), Camden Bartalino (Grosse Pointe South), Damon Richmond (North Farmington), Harry Dixon (Bloomfield Hills), Jackson Bofferding (Royal Oak Shrine), Javier Antaran (Berkley), Joshua Mackay (Royal Oak), Will Meja, Zach Bajorek (Royal Oak), Mitchell Sobeck (Detroit U-D Jesuit), Anthony Xicotencati (Royal Oak), Joseph Atto (Bloomfield Hills), Nathaniel Brunette (Royal Oak), Simon Dixon (Bloomfield Hills), William Qualman (Berkley), Joshua Mackey (Royal Oak Shrine), Nicholas Kollman (Birmingham Groves), Lucas Schroeder (Royal Oak) and Kal Vanderhoek (Birmingham Roeper) make up most of the roster in terms of players that saw action over the last five months.
All of them hope to showcase some hardware when returning to Michigan next week.
“This team has been solid all season long and I think we have as good of a chance as anybody,” said MacAulay. “I know if we get down, we won’t give up.”
MICHIGAN SOCCER NETWORK: MSN NEWS: www.michigansoccernetwork.com/msnnews
(Have a story suggestion for the Premier Media Group and the Michigan Soccer Network regarding club soccer, high school varsity, amateur soccer, collegiate soccer or professional soccer of teams or players with Michigan ties, contact Communications Specialist/Web and Content Editor/Director of News Dan Stickradt via email at stickradt@michigansoccernetwork.com, or call 248-884-1051. Dan Stickradt is a 31-year veteran of the Michigan Media circles and recently joined the staff full time in March of 2024. Want to schedule a broadcast game or live show, contact PMG/MSN Director of Broadcasting Jonathan Turner for availability and pricing at jonathan@michigansoccernetwork.com.)
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