What started out as 72 academy teams stationed in over 25 states turned into a magical title run at the U.S. Soccer's Development Academy Playoffs for three Detroit Titans.

The championship, which is regarded as one of the toughest youth level tournaments in the country, was won by the Vardar Soccer Club in Michigan. The team featured an incoming freshman for the Titan men's team in defender Mike Pugh as well as the academy's technical director in UDM head women's soccer coach Mike Lupenec and assistance from Detroit head strength and conditioning coach Joe Tofferi. Vardar ended an eight-month regular season and playoff slate by beating Crossfire Premier, 3-1 last Saturday, to win the U-17/18 national championship at The Home Depot Center in Carson, CA.

The squad was able to contend for the trophy thanks to a 2-0-1 mark in pool play that tied for first in Group 2 with Real So Cal. But the Titan trio and Vardar emerged as the first-place team due to goal differential thanks a late strike in added time in a 3-0 triumph over Baltimore Bays Chelsea on the last day of competition.

The 72 teams in the academy competed during the year for one of the 32 playoffs spots with that round being held in North Carolina in June. The 32 squads were then split into eight groups of four with the winner of each group advancing to the finals in California.

The Development Academy playoff system was created to add to the number of meaningful games for Academy athletes, further enhancing the player development process. Since its launch in the fall of 2007, the Academy has improved the training environment, provided relevant, high-level matches on a consistent basis, increased the level and efficiency of scouting for the national teams and provided players, coaches and referees with structured programming.