University Rhode Island junior Michael Tanke will get a shot at a national championship when he travels to Lancaster, Mass. to compete with the Indy Burn U-19 boys soccer club at the 2009 US Youth Soccer National Championships, July 21-26.

The Indy Burn is the first U-19 team from Indiana to advance to the nationals for the first time in 21 years. It is also the first boys’ team to win the Indiana state championship eight consecutive years.

Michael Tanke, who completed his second year at the University of Rhode Island, helped his club team capture the U-19 title at the Region II Championships at Yankton Trails Park in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, June 20-24.

Indy Burn posted a 2-1 record in pool play and received a wildcard berth in the semifinals, where it defeated Omaha FC, 2-0.

The Indianapolis club, coached by Isang Jacob, then captured the title over Scott Gallagher (Missouri), 1-0, on a goal in the 78th minute.
Champions from the four US Youth Soccer regions will gather at Citizens Banks Fields at Progin Park in Lancaster, Massachusetts on July 22 to begin pool play.

The top two teams will compete for the James P. McGuire Cup on Sunday, July 26.

The US Youth Soccer National Championship Series is the country’s most prestigious national youth soccer tournament.

It consists of three levels of competition for boys and girls teams in multiple age brackets. Each year over 10,000 teams participate.
Michael Tanke graduated from Niles High School in 2007.