Any squad made up of all-stars from a relatively small Northern Nevada area in any sport wouldn't be given much of a chance if it went up against the best that represented the entire Las Vegas area.
Especially if that squad had to travel to Las Vegas where the conditions favor the local teams. The local team wouldn't be given much of a chance to win.
But that's exactly what the Nevada Wonders Academy 13 and under boys soccer team, the Fusion, did when it traveled to Las Vegas and recently won the USYS State Cup, beating the best Las Vegas teams in the process. The team advanced to the Western Regionals to be held June 20-26 in Spokane, Wash.
The team is made up of mostly players from Carson City and Carson Valley, with four players from Reno. Fusion coach Randy Roser said what the Fusion accomplished is the equivalent of an all-star team just made up of players from Carson, Douglas and Galena High Schools beating all-star teams representing the entire Las Vegas area. Roser said it's been at least four years since a Northern Nevada team has won the State Cup.
"It's tough to go down there," said Roser, who also said there's no question that visiting teams are "homered" by the officials in the tournament.
"It's obvious," he said. "There's a definite refing advantage. You've got to beat the refs as well as the teams."
When the Wonders Academy began last year, Roser said there were two goals: For the players to raise their level of play and to have fun. "We're not trying to win everything we go to," Roser said.
Roser said the Las Vegas teams have been consistently competing with the nation's top clubs for many years. Players also pay thousands of dollars a year to play on those clubs, Roser said.
"What we're trying to do with our academy they've been doing for eight to 10 years," Roser said.
The Fusion have begun to play some of the nation's top clubs. At the Phoenix Cup earlier this year, the Fusion played the nation's No. 4 ranked team, the Colorado Storm. leading 2-1 in the second half before losing 4-2.
The Fusion have also broke into the rankings. They were ranked No. 119 last year and are now ranked No. 69. Roser said breaking into the top 100 was a huge accomplishment.
This weekend, the Fusion will play in the San Francisco Cup. If the Fusion can equal its runner-up finish of last year, Roser said he expects his team would crack the top 50. "To be ranked in the top 50 is huge," he said.
He also said the Fusion players will receive great exposure at regionals. "Something could come out of it for these kids caree-wise even though they're 13," Roser said.
Roser said the players deserve all the credit. "These kids work hard," he said. "We can teach them, we can train them, but coaches don't win games, players win games."
The players are put through a tough condition program, but Roser said the players love it.
"They want to play at this high level," he said. "They're used to being on the field where every player is good."
Many of the teams the Fusion face have deeper squads. But Roser said he's happy with the desire of his 16 players. "Give me 16 guys that love to play soccer and we'll do well," he said.
Members of the Fusion are: Nik Marsh, Braedon DeLong, Chris Browne, Brandon Briggs, Brady Roser, Brian Jaggard, John Nuthall, Blake Moreland, George Guevara, J.B. Olson, Luis Aguilar, Eddy Vega, Trevor Johnson, Adam Updegrove, Pat Kearney, Al Jimenez and Chase Losche.
Contact Charles Whisnand at chwisnand@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1214.
