For years, the SCS Clinton United travel soccer program has steadily worked to build something special across Sampson County and neighboring communities. This spring, that hard work translated into one of the most successful runs in club history.
Competing against some of the top travel soccer organizations in North Carolina, SCS Clinton United’s U17 and U19 boys teams both advanced deep into the USYS (United States Youth Soccer) State Cup tournament, with the U19 squad reaching the championship match and the U17 team earning its first-ever semifinal appearance.
For head coach Daniel Walsh, the accomplishments represented far more than wins and losses.
“This season’s been an incredible kind of ‘shout-out’ season for the U17s and the 18s and the 19s,” Walsh explained. “Every year we compete in league play and then, come the end of the season in the spring, we go into competitions called the State Cup, which is all the top teams in the state competing to see who can be the number one team in North Carolina.”
Unlike larger metropolitan clubs with massive player pools and resources, SCS Clinton United has built its success through continuity, family atmosphere and determination. Walsh noted the club routinely competes against powerhouse organizations such as Charlotte Soccer Academy, Charlotte Independence, NCFC and other major programs across the state.
“In past years, we entered these and kind of saw where our level was because you’re playing against all these top, top players,” Walsh recalled. “But this year both groups really showed what they could do.”
The U17 boys entered State Cup play as the tournament’s No. 2 overall seed after an undefeated league season. After splitting their opening group stage matches in Wilson, the team traveled to Charlotte needing a strong finish to keep its championship hopes alive.
The group responded.
A 4-2 victory against Carolina Core set up a decisive final group-stage matchup, where Clinton United delivered a commanding 3-1 win to advance to the semifinals for the first time in program history at that age level.
Walsh described the accomplishment as a major milestone for the team.
“For these U17 boys, they had never, ever gotten to a semifinal before,” he said. “So it was a big experience and an exciting time for them.”
The semifinal challenge proved daunting as the team squared off against defending State Cup champion Wake FC Silver. Despite coming up short in a competitive 6-3 contest, Walsh praised the fight his players showed throughout the match.
“It was always going to be tough,” Walsh admitted. “But we gave it a good run. There were a lot of goals and it was competitive. Unfortunately, we came up short.”
The roster itself reflected the wide-reaching impact of the program. Walsh noted the U17 squad included players from Midway and Clinton, along with athletes traveling from Havelock, Snow Hill and Fayetteville to compete for SCS Clinton United.
“We’ve got kids from all over the place,” Walsh emphasized. “It’s amazing for them to come together and have that much success.”
Meanwhile, the U19 boys authored one of the most memorable postseason runs the club has ever seen.
Entering the tournament as a No. 4 seed, the group battled through a difficult opening draw before erupting offensively during the second weekend of play. A dominant 7-1 victory against Carolina Core kept the team alive before a crucial showdown against group leader HCSA.
Needing a victory to advance, Clinton United delivered one of its best performances of the season, defeating HCSA 4-1 to clinch a semifinal berth.
“If we had drawn or lost that game, we were out,” Walsh said. “It was a big game and we really showed up.”
The semifinal produced even more drama.
Facing Weddington, a Charlotte-area powerhouse, the U19 team battled to a 3-3 draw through regulation before prevailing 5-3 in double overtime to secure only the second State Cup finals appearance in club history.
“It was a heck of a game,” Walsh said. “That put us into the State Cup final for only our second time in club history with this same group.”
The championship match against Wilmington Hammerheads ultimately ended in a 3-1 defeat, but Walsh believed the final score did not fully reflect the quality of play from his team.
“We had so many chances to win the game,” Walsh reflected. “I came away wishing the ball had rolled our way a couple times. We just didn’t get the lucky bounces, but we definitely had a lot of chances.”
Even in defeat, the coach emphasized the magnitude of what both teams accomplished.
“For us to be labeled top four and top two teams in the state at the 17 and 19 age groups is incredible,” Walsh said. “There are thousands and thousands of kids across North Carolina, so to come out top four and top two is a hell of a feat.”
Beyond the results, Walsh believes the club’s greatest strength lies in the relationships developed over the years. Many of the U19 players have been with him since childhood.
“Most of these players at U19 that are aging out, I started coaching when they were 6 years old,” Walsh shared. “They were my first-ever academy group.”
Over time, Walsh watched those young athletes mature both on and off the field.
“I’ve got to see them turn into goofy teenagers and then into true men by the end of it,” he added. “It’s been incredible to watch.”
Walsh credited the club’s close-knit culture as a major reason for its continued growth and consistency.
“With a smaller club, we have such connections with the families and the kids,” Walsh explained. “The fact that we’ve stayed together this entire time and continued to compete at this level says a lot.”
He also hopes the recent success inspires younger players within the organization to pursue similar achievements in the future.
“There’s going to be younger kids that want to achieve the same,” Walsh said. “I’m excited for the years to come.”
As the U19 players age out of the program, Walsh believes they leave behind a legacy that could shape the future of SCS Clinton United for years ahead.
“They’ve been the first in so many things,” Walsh remarked. “The first team we put into State Cup, the first team to win a national event, the first team to make these deep runs. They’ve really opened the club’s eyes to what’s possible as a smaller club.”
Most importantly, Walsh believes the group has established a standard for future generations to follow.
“I’m very, very proud of them,” Walsh said. “What they’ve done for this club and the example they’ve set is incredible. I’m going to miss every single one of them.”