Arsenal FC clinches Great Lakes Conference, earns trip to nationals

The Arsenal FC ’06 team held a one-goal lead, looking to clinch a trip to nationals for the first time in club history. The team needed a draw to stay alive, but a win would cement its legacy and earn it a spot at nationals in Florida.

Coach Jonathan Velotta knew this team was a special club and knew it had a lot on the line. In the waning moments of the game, Arsenal FC stepped up its game.

“With 30 seconds to go, they pulled their goalkeeper out. They were trying to get a draw,” Velotta said. “One of our defenders made a great play to defend the corner and clip the ball basically the length of the field to score on an open net to clinch to get that third goal and make it 3-1. … That was like a really nice cherry on top way to kind of declare edge.”

You’re looking at the @NationalLeague CHAMPIONS for the 2006 boys! ???? ???? ???? #earnyourplace pic.twitter.com/nLIA3k0f89

— Arsenal FC of Pittsburgh (@ArsenalFCofPgh) March 14, 2022

The Arsenal FC of Pittsburgh ’06 soccer club, based at No Offseason Sports in Russelton, advanced to nationals after the 3-1 victory at the US Youth Soccer (USYS) National League P.R.O. event. The team will travel to Orlando in July to compete in the USYS National Championships.

The team won its first game at the National League event in Phoenix but then blew a 3-0 lead and tied 3-3. This put its nationals hopes on the line, but it rebounded, winning the next game and clinching a trip to Florida.

“That tells you a lot about these players’ mentality to be able to respond to that result,” Velotta said. “It was probably, pound for pound, the best performance we’ve had all year. The focus was just immense.”

It will be Arsenal’s first trip to nationals.

“It’s really, really special. Especially with that core group that’s been grinding away since they’ve entered the club at 8 or 9 years old,” Velotta said. “To have this level of success, at this time, is pretty important and pretty special for them.”

Velotta has coached the team for more than four years and had the group of players since they were 12 years old. He said the core group stuck together, and the team added solid players along the way.

He and the players keep themselves motivated. They remind themselves of what’s next to accomplish. When they were promoted to the Regional League, they controlled the play and were promoted to the National League. Now, they are motivated to win a national championship.

Velotta said the team gained more and more consistency throughout the season. Arsenal FC also went on to win the Great Lakes Conference, which is a separate division outside of National league P.R.O. The team went undefeated for the second straight year in the conference.

“We keep kind of creating a little bit higher goals for ourselves, both individually and as a team,” Velotta said. “They’ve stayed committed to that process, and they’ve really refined their style of play.”

Arsenal FC is a ball-centered, ball-oriented and ball-dominant team. The players are technicians with the ball, and their ability to refine their skills helped them as they competed throughout the season.

Velotta said adding tactical sophistication and maturity made it a tough team to beat.

The team’s competitive game schedule dwindled, but it is searching to find teams to play to help prepare for nationals. It wants to face older teams and prepare with more intense training so it can be for the hot Orlando weather.

“We’re gonna have to be smart about how we can manage tactically and adapt to the circumstances like the weather and to the opponent,” Velotta said.

“But I think more than anything, what to expect is that they’ll be prepared, and they’ll be physically and mentally prepared. And then it just comes down to being ready for the moment and making sure that we were relaxed enough to execute.”

Velotta knows the team’s commitment has been there for the past four years and hopes the group will accomplish even more.

“It’s been a really fun group to coach,” Velotta said. “I’ve been in the youth game for close to 20 years, and this is definitely one of the most special groups I’ve worked with because of their commitment level. They’re willing to always do a little bit extra, both on the field and off the field.”