BERNALILLO, N.M. - For the seventh straight year, Maui United Soccer Club will have a representative in the U.S. Youth Soccer Far West Regional tournament.
The distinction this time belongs to the Maui United 94 boys, who earned a berth by capturing the under-16 State Cup title in April.
''Getting here was tough,'' said coach Chuck Nunes, who played for Maui United in the under-16 division when the regional was last in Bernalillo, a dozen years ago. ''Getting out of our pool promises to be an even bigger challenge. But this is a resilient group that has worked very hard to prepare for this tournament.''
Maui United will have to play midafternoon games in projected 95-degree heat and at an altitude of 5,050 feet at State Farm Soccer Complex.
Maui United, which beat Oahu's top two teams - three-time defending state champion Rush Nike and the Honolulu Bulls - at the State Cup, is ranked No. 9 in the region and No. 35 in the country by NationalSoccerRanking.com.
''It's an honor for a team from Maui to be included in such select company,'' said coach Fred Guzman, ''but the real proof comes on the field.''
Maui United opens on Monday against LaRoca Premier of Ogden, Utah, ranked No. 8 in the West and No. 33 nationally.
Maui United faces Northern California power Santa Clara Sporting on Tuesday, and will conclude group play Wednesday against Slammers SC of Southern California. Sporting is No. 6 in the West and No. 27 nationally, while the Slammers are No. 23 in the West.
The top two teams in each of the four pools advance to Thursday's quarterfinal matches. Semifinals are set for Saturday and the final for Sunday.
The Maui roster comprises Aukai Akoi, Anthony Barboza, Kawela Benson, Max Bowman, Trevor Edwards, Willy Harris, Daniel Johnson, Kasey Kuge, Kamu Motooka, Taylor Nakamoto, Dean Phillips, Elton Rivera, Conner Snow, Mattias Thompson, Kai Wil-liams and Tyler Yates.
