O.C. Teams Qualify for Soccer Playoffs

Ten Orange County teams have qualified for the playoff round of the Snickers U.S. Youth Soccer Far West Regional Championship as the final day of group play concluded Wednesday in West Jordan, Utah.

Leading the county was the Dana Point-based Southern California Blues girls’ soccer club, which advanced four of its age-group teams (under 19, under 18, under 17 and under 15).

Other girls’ teams from the county to advance were North Huntington Beach (under 14), the West Orange County United Rip Tide (under 16), the Mission Viejo Mirage (under 16) and the Irvine Strikers (under 13).

In the boys’ divisions, the Irvine Strikers (under 13) beat the Tempe Puma Pros, 2-1, to advance. In the under 14, the North Huntington Beach shut out Rail City United (Nev.), 5-0.

The single-elimination playoffs begin today with quarterfinal matches. The winners advance to the semifinal round, which begins Friday.