East Moline Teenager Eli Nache Representing Midwest At National Soccer Tournament
East Moline 13-year-old Eli Nache was among the players selected to represent the Midwest Olympic Development Program regional soccer team at the US Youth Soccer ODP Inter-regional Event being held in Orlando, Fla. Nov. 16-20!
Nache, playing the 2 spot at right outside defensive back, was among over 100 players who went through the three-day tryout for the event from a pool of players from the Midwest region including Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Minnesota, Michigan, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota and Wisconsin. Thirty-six players were chosen for the two Midwest squads — Red and White, with 18 on each team; Nache is playing on the 2008 Boys White squad.
Locally, Nache plays for the EMSSC Spartans club team, and will be a freshman at United Township High School, playing for the Panthers soccer squad, next fall.
In a video recorded prior to leaving for the event posted on Facebook, Eli said, “I’m excited… I’d like to thank all of the EMSSC coaches and my Dad for coaching me and helping me to develop as a player… I want to thank my teammates… my brother for training with me, and my family for always pushing me and helping me… I’m excited and I can’t wait!”
The Midwest squad will play against other regional teams from throughout the United States. The Regional staff and the ODP Scouting Network will be evaluating players throughout the event.
A selection of the top players from the event at each age group will be invited to attend the USYS National ODP Training Camp at the Tournament Sportplex in Tampa Bay, Fla., in January 2022.
