They're part of one of the meanest defenses in the country and this week they're out to prove it.
Jeffersonville's Trevor Bruner and New Albany's Keenan Sparks will take to the field at Burns Park Soccer Complex in Little Rock, Arkansas with their Javanon U16 team mates gunning for glory at the US Youth Soccer National Championships.
The southern Indiana pair, who attend Trinity and Providence High Schools respectively, bolster a back four that went through the Kentucky State Cup conceding just one goal and posted four straight shutouts.
They then went the region II championships in Rockford, Ill. and subdued the best attacks around, including Vardar of Michigan and powerhouse Eclipse Select of Illinois.
Its attack scores for fun too, racking up 29 at the Kentucky State Cup, and 17 at the regionals, more than any other team in the nation.
Coach Tim Chastonay is proud of all 18 of his squad, but says, "Trevor and Keenan both are part of a solid back four that has been stingy all season and does not give up many goals."
Today, the pair will be part of a player luncheon at the Statehouse Convention Center, which will be attended by the 56 best boys’ and girls’ teams in the nation from U14 through U19.
Keenan Sparks (New Albany, left) and Trevor Bruner (Jeffersonville) of Javanon '92, pictured preparing for the US Youth Soccer National Championships, which open today and run until July 27. Javanon plays its first game against Real So Cal Blues Wednesday.
The week leading up to the tournament has been a busy one. Detailed preparation aside, the team was paraded in front of well attended media day last Wednesday, while nine of the team, including Bruner, were in Rockford this weekend with the Kentucky '92 Olympic Development Squad. After it, they traveled in the lap of luxury when flown to Little Rock on Sunday afternoon.
It is the fourth time that Javanon will be represented at the national championships, having won it twice - - in 1997 (U16 boys) and 2006 (U19 boys). In fact, it has quite a good record at U16 level, as it was also national semi-finalist at that age level in 2003.
This time round, there are six U16 boys’ teams at the finals, comprising the four regional winners and best two performers in the new US Youth Soccer National League. Each team will have three games, with the top two points getters going on to the final.
First up for Javanon is a game against Region IV victors Real So Cal Blues of California Wednesday (10.30 a.m. EDT), followed by an even earlier game against YMS Explosion of eastern Pennsylvania on Thursday (8.30 a.m.).
It will complete round robin play Friday with a game against Region I winners Lower Merion Velez, also of eastern Pennsylvania (12.30 p.m.).
The other two participating teams, which Javanon don’t play in the early stages, are Triangle United Gold of North Carolina (Region III champions) and Dallas Texans. The U16 boys’ final will take place on Sunday July 27 (11.15 a.m.).
There is real belief in the camp that the team can put up a strong showing. According to coach Chastonay and his assistant Derek Willis, the four time state champions are peaking at the right time, having played their best soccer at midwest regionals.
And team manager Terri Bruner, parent of Trevor, believes this is due in no small part to the loyalty and hard work ethic built up over a long time - qualities that will stand to them this week.
“This is the eighth year this team has been together,” he said. “Several have been together from season one and that’s half of their lives.”
If you want to keep abreast of how Javanon fair at the nations, check out the team's blog daily at: 92javanonboys.blogspot.com. A wrap up of the national championships will also be televised on Fox Soccer Channel on August 9 (1 p.m.)
Path to the Nationals
Kentucky State Open Cup
Beat LSA 5-0
Beat United 1996 Premier 8-0
Beat LFC Classic 9-0
Beat LFC Premier 5-0 (semi-final)
Beat United 1996 Intl 2-1 (final)
Region II Championship (Rockford, Illinois)
Beat Vardar West (Michigan) 5-1
Lost to KCFC Striker (Kansas) 1-2
Beat PSA Ohio North 5-2
Beat Vardar Red (Michigan) 3-1 (semi-final)
Beat Eclipse Select (Illinois) 3-1 (final)
Keenan Sparks (New Albany, left) and Trevor Bruner (Jeffersonville) of Javanon '92, pictured preparing for the US Youth Soccer National Championships, which open today and run until July 27. Javanon plays its first game against Real So Cal Blues tomorrow.
