An amateur club has beaten a host of star-studded teams from both Europe and the US to a $1million prize in a unique tournament.
The TST (The Soccer Tournament) brought high-profile European sides together with amateur outfits from both sides of the pond in a distinctive competition designed to make soccer more accessible and enjoyable for spectators.
Clubs including West Ham, Borussia Dortmund, Wolves and Wrexham took part in the seven-a-side tournament, alongside Hashtag United and Team Dempsey — led by USMNT legend Clint Dempsey — with number of former stars also taking part in the spectacle in Cary, North Carolina.
Those present saw 32 teams take part in all, with a series of rule changes also having been implemented such as no offsides and the allowance of an unlimited amount of substitutes.
The teams also featured some household names of yesteryear, with Greg Halford, Lee Trundle, Chris Eagles, Danny Drinkwater and Leon Best joining the likes of Stephen Ireland, Zat Knight, George Boyd and Luiz Gustavo.
In spite of the presence of these recognisable names from the past couple of decades, a largely unknown amateur team would defy the odds to walk away with the trophy and a bumper prize of $1million to boot. Connecticut side Newtown Pride lacked the star power of their opponents in the competition but captured the hearts and minds of supporters, with their unlikely victory also proving extra poignant during Pride Month.
The Sandy Hook team changed its name in honor of the 26 people, including 20 children, who died in the 2012 mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary in the club’s hometown. Since the tragic events 11 years ago, the side has 'dedicated its performance to raising awareness and giving back through the game of soccer'.
General manager Matt Svanda explained: "Just because soccer is more than a sport, we all know that. It brings people together. Couple that with achieving the level we have from winning, it just feels amazing to bring that to the community."
The TST victors' squad consisted of players from the U.S. national futsal team and the Major Indoor Soccer League (MASL), with this achievement building upon prior tournament wins at regional and national level including the 2019 U.S. Amateur Soccer Association’s national championship.
This latest gong saw the amateur club net the competition's first ever $1million goal, with Newtown Pride now vowing to donate a portion of their winnings to the Sandy Hook Elementary School charities.
The team saw out a 2-0 victory against Sports Leagues Canada FC, with Kelvin Nunes sending the crowd wild as he doubled the Connecticut side's lead to reach the 'target score' of two goals. The players from the tournament-winning team will walk away with some $15,000 and $20,000 each after the tournament at WakeMed Soccer Park.
