An Idaho Falls youth soccer program is heading to the national stage after a standout regional season earned the club’s top squad a berth in the U.S. Youth Soccer National Presidents Cup in Wichita, Kansas.
The Idaho Falls Futball Club’s premier team secured its national qualification by winning the Saint George tournament, capturing the I.F. Shootout, and finishing second at State Cup before claiming the regional title in Boise. That regional competition drew clubs from Oregon, Washington, Montana, Alaska, and Wyoming, making the championship a true proving ground across the Northwest.
“We won the Saint George tournament, the I.F. Shootout, and then we took second at State Cup,” said player Kai Redd, summarizing the squad’s climb through the bracket.
Eight Teams, One National Title
Eighteen young men from Idaho Falls will represent the Northwest Region when nationals begin in Wichita. The tournament brings together the eight regional champions from across the country, each squad made up of the top 18- and 19-year-olds their region has to offer. Competing against seven other regional powerhouses, the Idaho Falls club will carry East Idaho’s banner onto one of American youth soccer’s biggest platforms.
What makes the run particularly meaningful for players and coaches alike is the history behind the roster. This group has trained and competed together for eight years — a cohesion that is rare at any level of the sport and one that the players believe has been central to their success.
Player Memphis Lopez captured the sentiment shared across the team: “I think it’s bigger than soccer. I think it’s bigger than futball.”
That perspective — viewing the journey as something larger than wins and losses — reflects the bond a group of young men from Idaho Falls has built over nearly a decade of shared competition, travel, and development.
Club Seeks $25,000 to Make the Trip
Reaching nationals is an achievement; getting there is a logistical challenge. The Idaho Falls Futball Club is working to raise $25,000 to cover the costs of the trip to Wichita, including travel, hotel accommodations, meals, and competition fees. For a youth club program in East Idaho, that kind of fundraising effort requires significant community support.
Families, local businesses, and community members interested in backing the team can connect with the club directly. The Idaho Falls community has a strong tradition of rallying behind local athletes, and this group of young men — who have dedicated years to reaching exactly this kind of moment — represents a worthy cause for those looking to invest in homegrown talent.
The broader Idaho Falls community has shown consistent civic pride in supporting local events and programs. From volunteer efforts along the River Walk to large-scale community celebrations, residents here tend to show up when local groups need backing — and this team’s national opportunity is no different.
What Comes Next
The Idaho Falls Futball Club will compete against the seven other regional champions at the National Presidents Cup in Wichita, Kansas. The tournament represents the pinnacle of U.S. Youth Soccer competition for this age group, and the Idaho Falls squad enters as the Northwest Region’s representative — a title earned through months of tournament play and a grueling regional bracket.
For 18 young men who have spent eight years working toward moments like this, the trip to Kansas is both a culmination and a testament to what sustained commitment can produce. East Idaho will be watching as the Idaho Falls Futball Club steps onto the national stage and competes for a U.S. Youth Soccer national championship.
Community members looking for more Idaho sports and youth program news can follow statewide coverage at Idaho News.