Naples Elite Soccer Club sends 2 teams to Colorado for national title

NAPLES, Fla. (WINK) — Naples Elite Soccer Club has two teams heading to Colorado for a chance at a national title, a feat club leaders say has never happened before.

The U14 and U15 Naples Elite teams earned their spot after winning the regional and state tournaments. Striker Micah Chandler said the team set their sights on Colorado from day one.

"We started at the beginning of the year with a goal to go to Colorado, and ever since then, we've pretty much taken on that goal, and here we are going now," Chandler said.

Midfielder Carmine DePaola said reaching this milestone required dedication. Midfielder Sebastian Rojas credited the team's success to their commitment throughout the year.

"Just the hard work and dedication that we had throughout the year," Rojas said.

Club owner Mike DePaola said the accomplishment goes beyond wins and losses. He said the focus is on player development and teaching life lessons about dedication.

"If these kids are developing and progressing year by year, then we're doing our jobs, and the kids will continue to want to play and want to devote themselves to a game and have that translate into real life to show that if you devote yourself, put the time in, it will pay off," DePaola said.

DePaola took over the club last year. It has since doubled in size from around 200 to more than 400 players.

Andres Lafebre, director of coaching at Naples Elite Soccer Club, said the club's strength comes from its sense of community. He said all 30-plus teams are coming together to support the two teams heading to Colorado.

"Passion, effort, love, family, community, that's what we want, right? And everybody's coming together," Lafebre said.

Players said their bond may be their biggest strength. Carmine DePaola said the team's chemistry comes from years of playing together.

"We've been together a long time, so we know where to go and what to do as a team together without even thinking it," DePaola said.

Girls' head coach Matty Jollie said this historic moment is just the beginning for Southwest Florida soccer. He said the region is proving it can compete with the big cities.

"I think we're having a moment in southwest Florida. I think the game has never been bigger," Jollie said. "It shows you that southwest Florida is really on the map. It's not just the big cities, it's right here at home too."

The club flies out to Denver on July 7. Their first game is set for July 10.