At final Far West, Boise Timbers dominate for Idaho’s first boys regional title
No Idaho boys soccer team ever won a Far West Regional championship before Wednesday. But in the final edition of the 13-state tournament, the Boise Timbers’ U-19 squad wrote its way into the record books in impressive fashion.
The Timbers crushed Washington’s Wenatchee FC 5-0 in the championship game at the Simplot Sports Complex, scoring all five goals in the first half to clinch a spot at the U.S. Youth Soccer National Championships next month in Orlando, Florida.
“We’re a super-hardworking group. We always carry a chip on our shoulder,” said Tucker Smith, a Boise High grad and Duke signee. “I think we’re one of the best teams in the West, and in the country.”
Boise wasted little time proving that as Rylan McPherson put the Timbers ahead in the fourth minute, taking a pass from David Muyolo and dribbling past the Washington goalkeeper for a tap-in goal.
Gabriel Hernandez provided the highlight of the day in the 21st minute, backheeling a pass from Muyolo inside the 6-yard box and into the back of the net.
Elijah Grimaldo then made it 3-0 in the 26th minute, and Muyolo notched two goals of his own in the 32nd and 36th minutes as the Timbers punished Wenatchee’s high defensive press over and over.
“We’ve got guys up top like Rylan, Dave and Elijah. So, yeah, we’re pretty dynamic,” Smith said. “We knew if we just came out early and put a few in, it would be game over.”
The dominant start helped a team playing its 10th game in 13 days. After winning an ECNL RL West playoff in California last week, Boise started substituting heavily in the first half Wednesday in search of fresh legs and to keep the scoreline from getting too lopsided.
“It was difficult for sure,” said Zach Taylor, a Timberline High grad and a Utah Tech signee. “But we work hard, and we wanted this one. It was really important to us. I think it’s worth it that we made the push.”
That push didn’t lead to many signs of rust as the Timbers dominated their U-19 division. After opening with a 2-2 draw against the New Mexico Strikers, Boise outscored its next four opponents 21-4.
Idaho’s success at the regional level was previously limited to its girls teams. But Timbers coach Ivan Basquill said this group changed some perceptions around the region while clinching the state’s ninth overall berth at the national tournament.
“I’ve talked to more D-I, D-2 college coaches (this year) about our teams, and they weren’t quite aware of what we had out here,” Basquill said. “Now that they can see what we can produce, I think you’re going to see a lot more players leaving this state and going for bigger opportunities.”
The Timbers got in their regional championship just under the wire, as U.S. Youth Soccer plans to revamp its national championship format next year. The national organization will retire its regional competitions and instead send state champions directly to an expanded national tournament.
But the Timbers won’t head to Orlando next month alone. While the U-19 girls squad from Garden City-based Global Sports Academy took second in its Far West tournament, the team punched its ticket to nationals two months ago by winning its division in the U.S. Youth Soccer National League.
TWO IDAHO RUSH TEAMS FINISH SECOND
Idaho Rush’s U-15 and U-17 boys both took home silver medals Wednesday.
The U-15 squad fell 3-2 as Utah’s Sparta United scored two unanswered goals in the second half to rally for the regional title. The U-17 team fell 3-1 in to Nevada’s Players SC.
This story was originally published June 25, 2025 at 4:04 PM.
