The Whitehorse Football Club (WFC) Yukon Selects U15 team went undefeated at the 27th annual Richmond Thanksgiving tournament on the weekend.

The Selects won two and tied two in a round-robin, point-table, style tournament against teams who compete in the B.C. coastal soccer’s Metro and Division 1 U15 league. Based on points earned through the round-robin the Selects were the runner-ups.

Although a U15 tournament, the team fielded a 10, 11 and two 12-year-olds. Team coach Sean Alden said the younger players showed that they can play with older, more physically developed competition.

“The professionalism and willingness to learn was incredible, to say the least,” said Alden. “The tactical abilities of these kids and growth over the past few months has been mindblowing.”

Alden said the decision to bring the younger players to the tournament was because he believed they could add strength to the team.

“They are talented both technically and tactically,” said Alden. “It might have been a little risky putting them in with the big boys but I knew they could add strength.”

At the U15 age group, Alden said physical development plays a large factor in how the teams down south build their squads.

“The big academies down south can pull bigger players,” said Alden. “We are waiting for some growth spurts. That is the big difference right now.”

Although the other teams were bigger, Alden said the team was able to compete because they have intellect.

“We were able to change our style of play,” said Alden. “We technically and tactically out-competed the other teams and we were able to adapt to other styles. That’s where we were successful.”

The team opened the tournament against the Coquitlam Metro Ford Soccer Club Valencia and played to a 2-2 draw.

Ryder Brulotte provided the offence for the Selects scoring both.

The team’s second game of the tournament was against the eventual winners on points, Vancouver United Fury. The B.C. side grabbed two goals early but the WFC Selects were able to show their resiliency to tie the game. The game ended in a 2-2 draw.

Seba Insley brought the team within one against the Fury and Brulotte tied the game with seconds remaining in the game.

On the second day, the Selects were able to notch two wins. Against the Royal, the team snagged a goal on a free kick taken by Kade Bringsli late in the first half to give the Selects a one-goal advantage.

Goalkeeper John London stayed a brick wall throughout the game, repelling waves of Royal shots, earning the shutout and helping the Selects down the Royal 1-0.

“John stopped a dozen direct shots, many from point-blank range. It capped off an outstanding tournament for our keeper,” said Alden.

The Selects ended day two with a convincing 5-1 win against the host team Richmond FC.

Kade Bringsli notched two goals for the Selects, while his younger brother, 10-year-old Cameron added another. Louis Mouchet and Brulotte, who tallied four goals in the tournament, rounded out the scoring.

Playing in B.C., Alden said, had the Selects playing in less than favourable atmospheres.

“It was exciting,” said Alden. “The teams and parents are looking at us more seriously and the U17s laid the framework.”

Alden said the team went into the tournament with three goals in mind.

“I wanted to see if we could get through the first ten minutes,” said Alden.

“Next I wanted us to play our style and not get into a toe-to-toe fight with more physical teams. I wanted them to control the ball. Last, we went in to win it. I definitely thought we had the ability too.

“We definitely hit every goal.”

Alden said he brought a team he knew could be competitive against some talented B.C. teams.

“My mindset is if I’m going to travel with a team to compete then I’m bringing the best team possible,” said Alden.

“That’s why we brought the younger players, they added strength to some areas of need.

“To play and compete against those teams was truly outstanding. The level of focus was quite exceptional. This group right now with 16 high-level players, I’m really excited. They deserve all the credit.”

Alden said the depth in the territory for players is lacking because to get high-level competition they need to travel to outside tournaments. Still, he is seeing progress amongst the players.

“It’s hard to create a game-like scenario here,” said Alden. “Everything is stacked against these teams. Every single month though we are seeing steps in the right direction for development.”

“The future is bright and it’s so exciting for everyone involved.”

These players come from a larger group of boys in the 2005 to 2008 age range that will be participating in tryouts for the Yukon’s juvenile and junior 2020 Arctic Winter Games futsal teams at the beginning of next month.

Alden will be one of the coaches and said he has big hopes for the AWG.

“The focus is to win it,” said Alden. “We have great abilities to be successful.”