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Our Apparel was part of the puzzle that helped this team win a National title, the first at their club since the club formed 30 years ago.

Read some of the testimonies from the teammates. They were taught a Never Quit Mindset and it paid off. We will show you how to become successful with every purchase we will include how our apparel works.  

Yardley-Makefield Soccer Club

Thunder U18 Boys

The Team that Never Quits

Wins At Nationals

On the Road to Nationals - Phoenix, AZ - July 26-31, 2011

“I can't express how exciting it was to watch the boys play through the Regionals.  It's fantastic to see the boys and coaches hard work, commitment and "never quit" attitude payoff.  I never imagined 11 years ago when I helped start the Thunder that the boys would be going to the Nationals.  Your work with the boys over the last several years and especially the last 12 months really showed at the Regionals. The Thunder has become a really fun team to watch! I'm very proud of what you and the boys have accomplished; well done!”  

Andrew Damico, Parent

It is amazing to think that 11 years ago, YMS formed a team called Thunder. Over the years that followed the Thunder grew in players and skill. The coaching staff changed as the boys got older and in 2007, five years ago Albert Prickett became the head coach. From the time Al took the team his philosophy of never quitting was taught. His belief that any team can win on any day was never truer when that very first year the Thunder made it to the State Cup Finals against FC Delco. Unfortunately on that day, the Thunder didn’t prevail, but it showed the boys and their parents that it is possible and that with time, hard work and a never quit attitude you can achieve great things.

“Our team has always been physically outmatched or not recognized as much talent-wise.  Also our team is the hardest working team out there and we have a never quit mentality that allows us to overcome any obstacle we have ever faced.”

Dylan Pickering, Defender

As with all things, there were bumps in the road. People are resistant to change and the Thunder was no different. That second year the team struggled as new players joined the team and others left. There was no run to the state cup finals that year but the never quit philosophy continued. Along with that, the Thunder began to understand what playing as a team was all about. Soccer is a team sport, not an individual sport. There are always stand out players, but no one player makes a team.

“We are all so different yet come together to play soccer.”

Javier Puga, Striker

In 2009, the Thunder again made it to the state cup finals only to lose to Penn Fusion.  As disappointing as it was to lose, the team was growing. They were learning that attitude and team play was needed to achieve great things not only in soccer but in life as well. Working with others, that give and take, sharing responsibility and not doing it all by yourself was going to make this team successful.

“I don’t score often, but consider myself someone who sets up goals.”

Alec Sowers, Mid-fielder

In 2010, the Thunder again made it to the state cup Semi-Finals against FC Revolution. Over the past couple of years, FC Revolution became a rival and this game proved to be the final showdown between the 2 teams. The winner would go to the State Cup Finals and potentially gain the title. The game started poorly for the Thunder and they were down 3-0 at half-time. The team huddled. Now more than ever, the team needed to focus, play together and of course never quit. The next twenty-five minutes of hard play got them no results but also kept Revolution from scoring again. Showing that attitude does make a difference and never quitting can get you what you want; in the last twenty minutes of the game the Thunder scored 4 goals to advance to the final round.

“…my teammates, we do it for each other - call us the comeback kids.”

Bryan Attanasio, Defender

In the State Cup final game the next day against FC Delco, the Thunder is losing 2-1 with 4 minutes to go in regulation play. The game is called to a stop when a fullback on the Thunder is injured and is helped off the field.  A substitution is made and in Thunder style, the boys never quit. The Thunder scored 2 goals in final 4 minutes of the game to win 2010 PA State Cup.

“We never quit, we keep fighting. We are talented and we play well as a cohesive unit.”

Matthew Landy, Defender

Spring 2011 and the Thunder are doing extremely well. The team has advanced to the semi-finals for the Region 1 League title. When you talk to some older folks and they tell you how hard they had it, for example they had to walk miles to school every day- up hill both ways, in mountainous snow or blazing heat, you laugh and know that they are exaggerating. Well, the semi-final game for the 2011 Region League 1 title was played on a windy overcast June day against Pittsgrove Premier from NJ. The Thunder is playing into the wind for the first half and were looking forward to that little extra help during the second half. There was no score at halftime. The whistle blows marking the end of the first half and the wind kicks up and storm clouds roll in. The rain never comes but the wind shifts and when the second half starts, the Thunder is once again playing into the wind. At the close of regulation play the score is tied at 0-0. Overtime begins and the Thunder scores winning the game 1-0 advancing them to the finals.

“We’ve pretty much battled together  every game to get here…”

Michael Loughery, Defender

The final is YMS Thunder against the FC Stars from Massachusetts. On a hot sunny June day, the teams take to the pitch in Delaware.  At the end of regulation play, the score is tied at 1-1. Both teams continue to fight and at the end of overtime, the score remains tied at 1-1. The game is then decided by penalty kicks. Throughout the tense process of penalty shots, the YMS goalie saves 2 allowing the Thunder to take the title and move one step closer to Nationals.

“Our team is very laid back when approaching the game.  We just like to have fun.”

Colin Sulpizio, Goalie

June 19, 2011 is the State Cup final. The opposition is United LDC City Islanders. The game was tied up at 1-1 at the end of regulation time. The Thunder never quit and won the final 2-1 in overtime. Nothing worthwhile is ever easy and this team knows what it takes to get the job done.

“We have the upmost determination, will, and strength to never quit.”

Vincent Herrmann, Defender

The Regional games are the last step before Nationals and the Thunder is practicing and continuing to prepare for some very tough competition.  The semi-final game against the Maryland Nike Rush is won in typical Thunder fashion. The Thunder holds the lead at 1-0 for the majority of the game and then with minutes remaining, MD scores forcing the game into over-time. This is nothing new to the Thunder and the team huddles to focus and get the job done as they have done many times before. The Thunder advances to the final winning 2-1 in overtime.

“We have had so much success, yet we are not a team full of stars. We always seem to find a way to win no matter the situation, as we have had numerous last minute comebacks.”

Martin Freeman, Mid-fielder

The final game is against the FC Stars of Massachusetts on July 4, 2011. Having just played the team five weeks prior in the Region 1 League and beaten them, this was shaping up to be a very good match. Both teams are ready and poised to fight hard to achieve this last step and go to Nationals. Play begins and the FC Stars take the lead 1-0 just prior to the end of the first half. The teams continue to battle, and with 15 minutes left in the game one of the fullbacks gets a red card. The Thunder is forced to play a man down; 10 to the FC Stars 11.  The Thunder is an amazing team and even playing a man down, they continued to fight.

“We never quit and have come back from being down goals in some astonishing finishes.”

Vincent Herrmann, Defender

With a mere 10 minutes left in the game the Thunder scores to tie up the game. It’s looking like overtime again and the parents and fans watching the game continue to cheer knowing that the game is far from over. With typical Thunder flare, they score again with only 4 minutes remaining in regulation play. The FC Stars continued to fight and play hard, but they were unable to come back allowing the Thunder to advance to Nationals.

“He [my dad] has pushed and encouraged me to do my best and give 100% all the time.  His time, support and financial backing has allowed me to become the player  I am and have this opportunity of a lifetime.”

Rob Poli, Mid-fielder

2011 has been one of the best years for the Thunder, not only due to the titles obtained, but to know that every member of the team will be heading off to college. Most will continue to play soccer but all will advance their education. Behind this great team are the coaches, the manager, the parents of these very talented players and the YMS Club. Without the support and dedication by these individuals, this team would not be heading to Nationals.

“One more chapter to go and one more chapter to write about.”

Andrew Damico, Parent

The last chapter – Nationals: Phoenix, AZ 2011

Out of 10,000 teams from U14 through U18 both girls and boys 60 teams arrive in Phoenix, AZ to compete for a national title. Of those 60 teams, there are 4 teams vying for the top spot at the U18 Boys level.

Region I: YMS Thunder, E-PA

Region II: KCFC Rangers, KS

Region III: Alpharetta Ambush, GA

Region IV: Palo Alto 93, CA-N

These four teams promise to provide a very exciting competition. All have worked hard to get to here and are going to fight for the right to play in the championship game. Game 1 of the competition pits KCFC Rangers against YMS Thunder and Alpharetta Ambush against Palo Alto 93.

KCFC scores mid-way through the first half and holds that lead through most of the second half. The Thunder scores late in the game tying it up. With 4 minutes of stoppage time added to the game, the Thunder scores with only 40 seconds left in the game to win 2-1.

Game 2 of the competition pits Palo Alto 93 against YMS Thunder and Alpharetta Ambush against KCFC Rangers. Both games end in a 1-1 tie.

Game 3 of the competition will decide who goes on to play the final game on Sunday. With the standings so close, it was still anybody’s game and any team still had the ability to make it to the final. The Thunder scores three minutes into the game and holds that lead through half-time. The Ambush scores ten minutes into the second-half and although the teams continue to push, the scores remains 1-1 which is enough to send these two teams to a rematch for the National title.

With a day of rest for both teams, the Thunder is again hit with news that would affect the teams’ ability to win the title. One player that has been with the Thunder for three years and an integral part of how this team got to this point leaves for home. Additionally, one of the center mid-fielders was having back pain; the left back and an outside mid-fielder were experiencing hamstring pain. The coaches met to figure out how to continue on and develop a strategy that will get the team the title.

“We have the combination of skill, determination, and hard work on the field that gives us the ability to win any match, no matter the given scenario.  We have a never-quit attitude.”

Kyle MacDonald, Mid-fielder

The team arrived on Sunday for the final game. At 7 AM, the sun was shining and the temperature in Phoenix was already in the low 90’s and promised to get hotter. Both teams take to the pitch and the battle began. The score was 0-0 at half-time. The Thunder was experiencing injuries, the center mid-fielder is out due to back pain, the left back is out due to heat exhaustion, and all the players were feeling the 100 plus degree heat. With 6 minutes remaining, the Thunder was awarded a penalty kick for the taking down of a player in the box. The kick was good and the Thunder was up by 1. Two minutes later, the Thunder outside mid-fielder was under cut on a head ball and falls breaking both bones in his left forearm. Play resumes and the Thunder was able to hold on to the lead and take the National title giving the Ambush their first loss that year.

“The last chapter of this book is written in stone.  The YMS Thunder has beaten the odds and brings YMS their first National title in the history of the club!  I can think of only two words to describe what the boys and coaching staff of the YMS Thunder have accomplished this year... Truly Amazing!   As parents, we're very proud of this team and will never forget what they accomplished on the fields at Nationals in Phoenix of 2011.”

Andrew Damico, Parent

The recognition of this team’s success goes to the following people (no particular order):

“Coach Albert; who has believed in us and trained us to be the best players we can be. Our team manager, Alvaro Puga, who has committed many hours, emails, and phone calls to organize all the travel and paperwork needed to compete.  Coach John Greaves, soccer director, who came and scouted opposing teams and provided us with information and strategies for those teams. The YMS Club and our families for all their support over the years.”

Rob Poli, Mid-fielder

“Without my coaches, teammates, none of this would have been made possible. Without my parents driving me to practice and games I would have never had the opportunity. I’m not talking just about practice and games this year, I’m talking about for my entire life.”

Alec Sowers, Mid-fielder