The ISC Eagles U13 team is headed to the Nationals. Back Row (left to right): Assistant Coach Andrew Porpiglia, Calvin Porpiglia, Silas Stewart, William Cummings, Jibu Musabimana, Michael Henriquez, Teddy Pelletier, Gabriel Tavares, Lucas Menezes, Harrison Walch, Owen Wolff, Head Coach Jared Barbosa. Front Row (left to right): Angel Perez, Cash Curran, Luca Barbosa, Colin McCabe, Emmet Grace, Bruce Masambeta, Kayanda Asmani (Courtesy photo)

NASHUA — Nashua’s International Soccer Club (ISC) U13 Eagles have qualified for the US Youth Soccer National Presidents Cup set for July 7-11 in Wichita, Kansas after recently capturing the USYS Northeast Regional Presidents Cup Championship in Simsbury, Conn. on June 21. The Eagles are one of

only a handful of New Hampshire teams to ever compete in the National Presidents Cup, earning an opportunity to represent the Granite State on one of youth soccer’s biggest stages.

The title was clinched after the Eagles went undefeated and did not allow a single goal in four matches, culminating in a 1-0 victory over Fever SC of Bensalem, Pa. in the championship game.

Over the course of the tournament, goals were scored by Jibu Musabimana (3), Emmet Grace (3), Cash Curran (2), midfielder Silas Stewart (1), and defender

Calvin Porpiglia (1).

Goalkeeper Michael Henriquez made several crucial saves throughout the

tournament and, alongside defenders Lucas Menezes, Teddy Pelletier, Colin McCabe, Owen Wolff and Angel Perez, helped the Eagles complete the tournament without conceding a goal.

Team captains Luca Barbosa and William Cummings led a strong midfield controlling possession along with Gabriel Tavares, Harrison Walch, Bruce Masambeta and striker, Kayanda Asmani.

International Soccer Club is a nonprofit organization committed to providing families and players access to affordable, year-round professional soccer and futsal training and competition.

Earning the title of Northeast Champion did not come easily. There were challenges players and families faced both on and off the pitch. Each player has their own story of perseverance, including recovering from a serious injury, transitioning from street soccer to club competition, embracing a new position for the good of the team, and playing in honor of a teammate’s parent, and ISC super fan, who recently passed away.

Moments after securing the Northeast Regional title, the ISC Eagles had just two minutes to accept a bid to the USYS National Presidents Cup. There, they will compete against seven other regional champions for the national crown.

With Nationals just a week away, the team has launched a community fundraising effort to help ensure every player who earned this opportunity has the chance to compete.

“‘Enjoy. Train. Compete.’ is more than just a motto for this team – it’s who they are,” said ISC Club Director and head coach Jared Barbosa. “These players and their families have completely embraced that mindset. They show up for every opportunity to improve because they genuinely love the game, and when it’s time to compete, they leave everything they have on the field for each other, for the badge, and for the chance to keep playing. As a coach, that’s all you can ask for.”

Now, the Eagles have one final challenge before taking the field in Wichita: getting the entire team there. With just over a week to prepare for Nationals, the team has launched a community fundraising effort to help ensure every player who earned this opportunity has the chance to represent New Hampshire at the National Presidents Cup. Individuals, businesses, and organizations interested in supporting the team can donate through the team’s GoFundMe at https://gofund.me/11be191f6 or reach out to club director, Jared Barbosa, at JB.InternationalSC@gmail.com or (978) 328-4778.

The entire team has been composed of Kayanda Asmani, Luca Barbosa, William Cummings, Cash Curran, Lucas DeLeon, Emmet Grace, Michael Henriquez, Bruce Masambeta, Colin McCabe, Lucas Menezes, Jibu Musabimana, Amos Ndayishimiye, Aria Patil, Teddy Pelletier, Angel Perez, Calvin Porpiglia, James Rezendes, Silas Stewart, Gabriel Tavares, Harrison Walch, and Owen Wolff.