The Ucal McKenzie Breakaway Foundation

November 21

Blackbeard FC and Carico FC competed in Lexington on Saturday for The BSSL McKenzie Cup. In an emotional double overtime win, Carico FC jumped to a 2-1 victory.

To honor former player, coach, friend and mentor, Ucal McKenzie, the Bay State Soccer League (BSSL) announced that it is officially changing the name of its prestigious annual championship — The Cup – to The McKenzie Cup. The BSSL, Massachusetts’ premier adult amateur soccer league, is also launching a scholarship in Ucal’s name to honor his lifelong contributions to, and love for, the game of soccer.

Through Spring 2009, Ucal played for Carico. The team’s players and coach were focused all season on making it to the league championship and to secure a win for Ucal, especially meaningful with the name change for the championship final in his honor.

Following the win, Carico’s Vinny La Porta reflected on what they learned from Ucal as a teammate and how that still influences his team. “I have first hand experience of how Ucal’s energy created such a victory. It’s living proof that positivity and hard work will always succeed in life. And when it’s focused, it can create great achievements and great accomplishments. Ucal’s energy and inspiration is very powerful. He is such an amazing presence. Very strong. Even the opponents could feel it. There was something special about us, something powerful, something insurmountable. With Ucal’s energy, we were unstoppable…and we smiled along the way. For the rest of my life, I will remember today.”

The Bay State Soccer League and the Massachusetts State Soccer League played host to their league members and players at the Lansdowne Pub. In addition to celebrating the name change of The Cup to The McKenzie Cup, both leagues were presenting top teams and players with annual awards and championship trophies. At the foundation table, shirts, Nike foundation apparel, and raffle tickets were sold to support The Ucal McKenzie Breakaway Foundation.