From July 12 – July 16, young, elite soccer teams from around the country converged on Wichita, Kansas, to compete for the U.S. Youth Soccer 2024 National Presidents Cup. Of all those hopeful teams, team Blitz Academy FC Boys ’06 Premier with Tulsa’s Blitz Soccer Club took home the prize.Two members of that championship winning team are Bristow youth: Roan Goodwin and Bryson Barnett.
Goodwin, a Bristow High School senior and son of Zane and Mandy Goodwin, began playing soccer at the age of 4 years in Bristow. He joined Blitz 5 years later. He has 3 siblings: Ryder, Rizden & Rainee. In the most recent high school season, Goodwin accomplished some personal feats: tying his elder brother Ryder’s scoring record of 25 goals, becoming the leading scorer in the state across all classes, and making the 4th highest number of assists in the state as well.
As with Goodwin, Barnett is a Bristow High School senior and began playing soccer at the age of 4 years, joining Blitz 5 years later. He is the son of Blake and Kristen Barnett and grandson of David and Ellen Barnett and Malcolm and Marilyn Darrough. He has 2 siblings, Carver and Talus, who will both be joining him in playing for the BHS soccer team this year. Although he plays many sports, soccer is his favorite; being an elite player, he plays many positions on the team with his favorite being outside back. He plays defensively minded with an additional aptitude and love for offensive play.
This year’s USYS National Presidents Cup Blitz team included 4 members of the original team, according to Kristen Barnett. Goodwin and Barnett made up 2 of those 4 original members. Blitz’s Coach Brian Ries has coached the team for the last 7 years.
Making it to nationals required pristine play. Blitz first had to become one of the top 2 teams in the state before traveling to Plano, Texas for the USYS Presidents Cup Southern Regional Tournament, where they played teams from Louisiana, Florida, and Texas. Upon winning that tournament, Blitz advanced to the National Presidents Cup Tournament in Wichita.
Kristen and Mandy noted that all of the team’s semifinal and final games ended regulation play tied at 0 with games being won by penalty kicks. Blitz toppled each of its opponents with those penalty kicks, taking home the coveted, ultimate prize.
On behalf of the players’ families and her son, Kristen recalled all of those within the team, school system, community, extended families, and sport, who supported them, saying “We are thankful for all of them, as well as his coaches. … The team is like another family. It truly does take a village, and all of us work together to make sure all involved have what is needed. There is always someone willing to step up and help.”
Goodwin echoed gratitude for the village supporting his soccer experience, saying “I would like to thank my parents for always pushing me to do better and just making this opportunity possible. I would also like to thank my coach, Brian Ries, for making me the player that I am.”
Of what it was like to play at such an elite level and win, Barnett said “This is a fun team to be a part of and I loved winning Nationals with them.” Goodwin added “Reaching nationals was an incredible feeling; it was a moment of validation for all the effort and determination the team put into preparing. The excitement was overwhelming, knowing I had the opportunity to compete at such a high level. It feels kind of surreal to have won nationals, it’s always been a dream of mine, but for it to actually happen is very exciting!!'
Both young men plan to attend college and hope to continue their soccer careers.