Fusion boys U15 soccer team finishes season at USA Cup

The Fusion Under-15 boys soccer team finished the 2024 season with a good run in the playoffs of the Target USA Cup last week at the National Sports Center in Blaine.

This team represents the western suburbs with players from Minnetonka, Plymouth and Wayzata.

Head coach Josh Kizilos said, “We had a great season with a second-place finish in our league and a championship in the Tonka Splash tournament. The story of this team is depth. I am confident in all of our players. They worked hard in training to earn their playing time.”

Two of the most noticeable players during a 2-0 win over Minnesota rival Lakes United in a USA Cup match July 17, Toby Touchet and Nestor Mendez, gave Fusion the edge.

“Toby has scored a lot of goals this season,” coach Kizilos said. “Nestor has played well in goal.”

Touchet is easy to spot on the field. He wears No. 54 and is already as tall and sturdy as a high school varsity soccer player.

“As a coach of players this age, I want them to work well together,” coach Kizilos said. “It’s a team sport, and there’s more to it than individual talent.”

Members of the Fusion squad are, in alphabetical order: Armaan Ambrose, Henry Bell, Anthony Blockey, Hugo Boyd, Oscar Ellingson, Pietro Gasques Ghirardello, Oliver Martinson, Nestor Mendez, Carson Meyer, Salman Nuur, Vinnie Pellegrene, Mitchell Rakovshik, Phillip Rakovshik, Nicholas Randall, Jacob Scott and Toby Touchet.

While they prepare for high school soccer, the U15 boys are learning the importance of communication and coordination. Whether they play for Minnetonka, Wayzata or Armstrong, they can take what they learned this summer and apply it to high school soccer.

By the way, Fusion lost in the USA Cup semifinals Saturday, July 20. After playing its opponent to a 0-0 tie, Fusion lost on penalty kicks 4-3.