A house RESOLUTION

 

TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR THE Soda City Football Club and COACHES for A REMARKABLE SEASON AND TO CONGRATULATE THEM FOR WINNING THE Fall 2024 United Premier Soccer League National CHAMPIONSHIP TITLE.

 

Whereas, the South Carolina House of Representatives is pleased to learn that the members of the Soda City Football Club (FC) of Richland County took the team's second straight United Premier Soccer League (UPSL) national championship; and

 

Whereas, to the cheers of their exuberant fans, the Soda City FC defeated a competitive lineup of teams to secure the league's first-ever back-to-back title win with a 4-2 victory in the final, after completing an undefeated regular season; and

 

Whereas, after entering halftime tied 1-1, Soda City struck just 53 seconds into the second half, followed by goals in the 68th and 77th minutes to secure the win; and

 

Whereas, the title was significant, having lost key players in the offseason and needing time to rebuild, an accomplishment that followed a lot of hard work in the winter under the leadership and direction of Head Coaches Debola Ogunseye and George Trifos; and

 

Whereas, looking ahead, the team aspires to create local youth soccer partnerships and also to launch a team in the UPSL Women's League, building on its success in the UPSL to replicate the same on the women's side; and

 

Whereas, the future is bright for soccer in the Midlands with the Soda City FC organization launching the Columbia SC Professional Soccer Alliance this past summer in the wake of the successful Manchester United vs Liverpool match, which drew seventy-eight thousand fans to Williams-Brice Stadium, demonstrating interest in soccer in Columbia; and

 

Whereas, the South Carolina House of Representatives values the pride and recognition that the Soda City FC soccer players have brought to Columbia and to the State, and the members look forward to following the team's continued achievements in the days ahead. Now, therefore,

 

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:

 

That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, recognize and honor the Soda City Football Club and coaches for a remarkable season and congratulate them for winning the Fall 2024 United Premier Soccer League National Championship title.

 

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Coaches Debola Ogunseye and George Trifos and to Tony Baker, Soda City FC President.

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