Bowling Green FC U19 Golden Lions chase golden opportunity at nationals
BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – During the final days of May, the best soccer clubs from the commonwealth competed in Elizabethtown for the 2026 Kentucky State Open Cup.
The Bowling Green Football Club U19 boys were one of the champions, and they now ready themselves for competition at the 2026 US Youth Soccer National Championship in Salt Lake City, Utah.
“ Going into State Cup, I knew that we would compete, I knew that we would do good, but we ended up just destroying every team there. So, yeah, my expectations are definitely high,” midfielder Ethan Dailey said.
‘Destroying’ is the perfect word to describe how state went for the Golden Lions.
In four matches, the team outscored opponents 24-1, and now it’s on the brink of program history, playing in uncharted waters.
“I feel like we’re ready for this, you know, the best team in Kentucky right now, and we just keep going, and we will keep working hard,” midfielder Wasoo Shindano said. “Like, you can see us practice right now, you know, it’s the same consistency as we started in the fall.”
The group, consisting of the top talent from Warren County and surrounding areas, has bonded together over time through a deep love for the game.
That passion has brought the boys the distinction of repping BG and the rest of the Bluegrass in front of the whole country.
“I think that’s a very big accomplishment and honor for me to, you know, represent for my state,” goalkeeper Almian Sakanovic said. “I’m ready for it, my team’s ready for it, and we’re all proud to take that responsibility.”
“I think when you represent a club, and a community, and a state, you want to be known for being role models, and we want our kids who are younger to look up to these boys,” technical director John Lees said.
“If we do a good job and we fly the flag well, then that’s good for us, the town, the state, and hopefully people will want to tread in those footsteps in the future.”
BGFC has a mission of winning trophies and getting guys to college and pro play, but arguably the most important goal is helping them become grown men.
Those standards have the club in position to capture its first ever win at the national tournament.
“I’m very excited. It’s going to be a good trip, a long trip, and I think it’s going to be fun,” head coach Driton Hyseni said.
“[We’re] hoping to stay there the whole week and bring back a trophy. I want to be the first team to do it, and I think we have the quality to do it, so we’re ready for it.”
Nationals will run from July 13-23 in Salt Lake City, and BGFC will open group play on Monday morning at 8:00 a.m. MDT against Legacy FC out of West Virginia.
