A wave of energy, goals, and grit swept across Mitchell this past weekend as nearly 30 youth soccer teams took over the Pepsi-Cola Soccer Complex for the Palace City Cup tournament.
From tiny cleats darting across the grass to teens fiercely battling for dominance, the event packed a powerful punch of community spirit and athletic passion. With no knockout stages and a format that leaned into round-robin pool play, every game was a chance to shine — and shine they did.
Mitchell’s 18U Squad Sets the Bar High
If anyone had doubts about the local soccer scene’s strength, Mitchell’s under-18 team shut them down fast.
The high school boys’ division featured four teams, and Mitchell’s 18U group came out on top, going unbeaten through four games. Three wins, one draw, and a goal tally of 12 scored to just 7 conceded — that’s how you wrap up a strong showing.
They clipped the Tempo club of Tea twice, with 2-1 and 3-1 victories. Solid and assertive, the team kept their composure under pressure. Even their 2-2 tie with Bricks U19 out of Bismarck, North Dakota, showed grit.
Kerim Ical, No. 5 for Mitchell, was spotted repeatedly challenging for the ball in midfield. Determined. Focused. And clearly loving every second of it.
Hornets Sting Their Way to the Top in U12 Pool
The 12U boys’ division had six teams jostling for bragging rights, and Mitchell’s own Hornets buzzed loudest.
They went 3-1 in pool play. That record? Impressive. But the goal difference? Even better.
Sixteen goals for. Nine against.
That means they were averaging four goals per match — not bad at all for a bunch of 12-year-olds. They showed hustle, tactical sharpness, and a fearless attacking style that left their opponents scrambling.
One coach on the sideline could be heard shouting, “Pressure, pressure, don’t give them space!” But against the Hornets, space disappears fast.
BASA Thunder and HCSC Cobras, both solid outfits from Brandon and Aberdeen respectively, couldn’t keep up consistently, ending 2-2 in their respective outings.
U10 Sees Deadlock Between Two Standouts
In the six-team 10U boys division, things got interesting.
BASA (Brandon Area Soccer Association) and OFC Revolution Green from Pierre both walked away with identical records — 2 wins, 0 losses, 1 draw.
And yes, they drew against each other.
That 1-1 scoreline on Saturday afternoon wasn’t just a tie. It was a battle of equals. The crowd by the field was small but loud, with shouts of “Go, go, go!” echoing into the breeze as pint-sized players weaved their way down the pitch.
• Both teams played three games
• Both teams were unbeaten
• Both scored freely while staying tight at the back
No one really cared there was no final. That tie? It felt like a final all on its own.
No Trophies, Just Pride and Pure Love of the Game
Unlike typical tournaments, the Palace City Cup ditched the final bracket play. That meant there was no singular championship game — no hoisting of trophies under the sun.
And you know what? It worked.
By focusing on pool matches and head-to-heads, every game held weight. Each one was meaningful, not just a warm-up for knockout rounds.
Here’s what that looked like at a glance:
| Division | Teams Participating | Top Performers | Record |
|---|---|---|---|
| High School Boys | 4 | Mitchell U18 | 3-0-1 |
| 12U Boys | 6 | Mitchell Hornets | 3-1 |
| 10U Boys | 6 | BASA (Brandon), OFC Revolution | 2-0-1 (each) |
Parents camped out with lawn chairs. Kids chowed down on snacks between matches. Coaches paced. Some yelled more than others. It was organized chaos — the good kind — the kind that makes summer weekends memorable.
Why the Palace City Cup Still Matters
It’s not just about soccer. It never is with these community-driven tournaments.
For Mitchell, hosting this event means visibility. It means hospitality. It means giving kids a stage, even if it’s grass and not a global arena. And every pass, every goal, every smile after a game — that’s where the real win lives.
There were teams from Tea. From Pierre. From Bismarck. And of course, local Mitchell squads that showed they’ve got more than just heart — they’ve got serious talent too.
A 10-year-old named Oscar Patton from the Mitchell 10U Timbers team was seen darting down the sideline on Saturday, ball at his feet, defenders trailing. He didn’t score, but it didn’t matter. He had that look — the kind that says, “I’m going to keep coming.”
And really, that’s what youth soccer is all about.
