Local Club Earns Spot at U.S. Youth Soccer National Championship
The Twin Falls Rapids U19 girls soccer team is heading to Nashville, Tennessee, to compete in the U.S. Youth Soccer National Championships after capturing the Idaho State Cup in May. The victory secured the squad’s berth in the national tournament, marking a significant achievement for the young athletes and coaching staff.
The team earned this opportunity on the strength of its 2025 16U National Presidents Cup championship, followed by the state title that locked in its national tournament invitation. Head coach Alex Ferreira, who also serves as men’s soccer coach at the College of Southern Idaho and assists with the women’s program there, has been leading the Rapids for the past year.
Ferreira sees considerable potential in the roster. “We have 16 girls on the team, and four or five of them could play college soccer,” he said, underscoring the caliber of talent competing for Twin Falls.
Rising Juniors Lead Twin Falls Squad
Rising Twin Falls High School juniors Addisen Kohring and Lola Hudson are among the standout players on the roster. The squad also includes goalkeeper Aliana Navarrete, who plays high school soccer at Minico. Additional players represent Gooding, Kimberley, and Burley from the Sunway Soccer Complex.
Kohring reflected on the significance of the team’s state cup victory. “We thought last time was our last chance,” she said, capturing the resolve the group brought to May’s tournament.
Looking ahead to nationals, Hudson expressed both hope and determination about the path forward. “We’re really just hoping that we carry that good energy into the group stage and have a successful first three days so we can stay another six,” she said, referring to the format of the national championship.
Community Support Through Fundraiser
The Rapids are rallying community support ahead of the national tournament. A fundraising event took place on Tuesday, July 1, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Chipotle location on Cheney Drive in Twin Falls. The restaurant contributed 20% of sales from that evening to benefit the team, providing resources to help offset travel and competition costs.
The national championship represents a culmination of months of preparation and competition within Idaho’s youth soccer landscape. The path from local play through the state tournament to nationals demonstrates the depth of talent and work ethic present in Twin Falls County’s soccer programs.
For Ferreira and the Rapids organization, the national tournament is an opportunity to showcase the region’s youth soccer development. With four or five players on the roster capable of playing at the college level, the trip to Nashville also serves as a showcase for scouts and coaches evaluating talent for university programs.
What Comes Next
The Twin Falls Rapids U19 team will compete in the group stage of the U.S. Youth Soccer National Championships in Nashville. The initial three-day group phase will determine whether the team advances deeper into the tournament, with Hudson’s reference to “another six” days suggesting potential advancement could extend the team’s stay and competition schedule.
For the players and coaches, the national championship represents validation of their investment in the sport and the strength of Twin Falls County’s youth soccer programs. The achievement also highlights the community’s athletic infrastructure and the caliber of young talent developing in the Magic Valley.