7 Elite Academy’s SABA 04 Boys will take on the best youth soccer teams from Utah at the President’s Cup in Mesquite next week.

The Salt Lake City side will again feature a full-strength SABA 04 Boys line-up, following a successful trip to College Showcase tournaments in December.

Jack Pearce, Lucas Allan and Olly Byrne, who attend the 7 Elite Academy UK college program, will link up with their team-mates in Utah. 

One of the benefits of the 7 Elite Academy College program is the opportunity for UK players to live and train in the United States during the soccer season.

The winners of next week’s tournament will qualify for the Far West President’s Cup in June – one step below the National United States Presidents Cup.

7 Elite Academy Technical Director, Anthony Godfrey, is looking forward to seeing SABA players face top-ranked opponents from January 13 to 17th.

He said: “The President’s Cup is a first-class way to judge how far our SABA 04 Boys have progressed over the last year, including their team-mates from the UK.

“We saw how well all the lads played at the North Carolina and IMG College Showcase events, which drew a lot of attention from scouts and recruiters.

“This time we will be playing teams from much closer to home in Utah and the games will be equally competitive. This is a great opportunity for our players.

“It’s great that the UK lads can now do this. It should have happened at the start of the season, but due to Covid and travel restrictions that was impossible.

“Now they regularly join their team-mates in Utah and form part of the SABA 04 Boys squad.”

The 7 Elite Academy SABA program is geared towards creating opportunities within college recruitment and professional soccer across the world.

Past SABA alumni have secured places at leading colleges in the United States, as well as trial sessions with full-time clubs.

Wayne Scholes, Chairman of 7 Elite Academy, said: “SABA is a global coaching program that includes players from both the United States and United Kingdom. 

“As part of our college program youngsters live, train and play in both countries during the soccer season.

“We also have young people from Africa who want to sign up and benefit from the many opportunities that SABA regularly offers.

“The President’s Cup in Mesquite will be a hugely competitive test for our players, but one I expect them to face head-on with passion and determination.”