Submitted photo – The young Emerald FC players and their coaches celebrate their second-place finish at the recent Junction City Gold Cup.

In just their second tournament competing together, the Emerald Football Club U10 boys soccer team had an impressive showing at last week’s Junction City Gold Cup in Roseville.

The local youth travel club made it to the championship game, where they fell 2-1 to Dublin United in a game that went right down to the wire.

The Emerald boys finished 2-2 in tournament play despite playing in extremely hot conditions.

“I am so proud of our boys battling in 106 degree heat, giving it everything they got coming from our cool coastal climate and showing heart and hustle,” head coach John McGinnis said. 

Several players stood out for the local club, including Kai Mykham, who scored the team’s lone goal in the championship game on a penalty kick.

The goal capped a big weekend for Mykham, who led the Emerald offense with seven goals and a pair of assists.

He was, however, far from the only standout on the team.

Josue Munoz-Dominguez and Chayce McGinnis each also impressed on offense.

Munoz-Dominguez scored three goals over the weekend and also had two assists while young McGinnis had two goals and two assists from his defensive position.

At the other end of the field, a trio of young goalkeepers all made big contributions between the posts.

Madison Cone led the team with 15 saves, while Jacob Burgola and Ian Rivera each had three saves.

Cone saved a penalty kick in the championship game to help keep his team in the game.

Check out video highlights of one of Kai Mykham’s goals below …

“Madison Cone had some amazing saves this weekend,” John McGinnis added.

Chayce McGinnis and Bazil Backman each also made their presence felt on defense, while Rivera “played all over the field for us and did a great job,” according to his coach.

Jesus Palacio, Raiden Cheng, Arley Ruiz each also made some big contributions, as did Jeremy Sanders, Manolo Gonzalez and Munoz-Dominguez, each of whom “played tough all weekend,” the coach added.

Gonzalez had a goal and three assists, while Sanders and Ruiz had a goal and an assist and Backman had an assist.

“I want to thank the Emerald Football Club for what they do for the kids in our community and a big shout out to my assistant coaches this weekend, Matt Cone and Nate Rivera, for bringing great experience to the sidelines to help guide our young boys all weekend to the championship and a second place finish,” John McGinnis said.