Missoula Youth Soccer Team Makes History

MISSOULA, MONTANA (June 27, 2024) – Eighteen teenage boys are making history for Missoula as the first local soccer team to attend an elite national soccer tournament in Wichita, Kansas.

In June, the Missoula Strikers FC 2007 Boys team won the Regional Far West President’s Cup Tournament in Salt Lake City, Utah. The win qualified the team to participate in the U.S. Youth Soccer National Presidents Cup Tournament – they will be the first team from Missoula to attend the National Tournament.

“We’ve been grinding for years to become better players and a better team,” said Landon Zapata, forward for the team. “It feels like all that hard work is paying off and we are really excited to show people what Montana can do at Nationals.”

This team has won the Montana State Championship five times in a row and has attended the Regional tournament each year. While they have seen increasing success regionally at tournaments such as this for the past few years, they have never made it to Nationals. This year they were prepared to accomplish that goal. With a 3-1 win over Phoenix United 2007 Elite in the finals of the Regional Far West Tournament, they have gained their seat at Nationals.

To attend the U.S. Presidents Cup National Tournament, the team must raise $18,000. They are in the midst of a significant fundraising effort with limited time to secure funding, with a deadline of July 3, 2024. Several local sponsors have already stepped forward to support the team. To help fund the team, please contact Strikers FC at (406) 396-9633 or visit http://www.strikersfc.org 

The team continues to hustle on and off the field to hone their skills, prepare for Nationals, and generate the funds needed to attend the tournament.

Missoula Strikers FC is an independent 501(c) 3 organization. Our mission is fostering personal and community growth through soccer with a commitment to our shared values: Focus on the Person, Be Positively Relentless, Strive for Inclusivity, Prioritize Development and Expect Excellence. 

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Thank you,

Natalie Hiller-Claridge

Executive Director

Strikers FC

Person.Relentless.Inclusivity.Development.Excellence
[email protected]

406.396.9633 ext. 5
http://www.strikersfcmt.org

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