Bend FC Timbers U18 team heading to Nationals, first-ever C.O. team to qualify

(Update: adding video, comments from Bend FC coach, player)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- The Bend FC Timbers U18 team is heading to Florida for Nationals.

This is the first team in the history of Central Oregon soccer to qualify for the US Youth Soccer National Championships. 

However, it is a costly trip -- and a quick turnaround to raise funds.

The team held a Zumba fundraiser at a local yoga studio, and is raising funds online. 

“We’re all getting active in there so that’s part of it,” striker Junior Ochoa said. “We’re all moving around and you can use it as a workout I guess.”

The team is fundraising for their cross country trip, which head coach Wayne Price said could cost close to 30,000 dollars.

“Fly them there, accommodate them, feed them. so with the help of the club, the parents, the wider community to be fair it's been brilliant,” Price said. “We’ve been in a race against time to raise all this money and get these boys there for an experience of a lifetime.”

The boys made it all the way to the regional finals last month in Boise, ID.

While they did not win, their showing earned themselves a bid to nationals for the first time in Central Oregon history.

“You know it's great that they’ve got to this point and now they’re going to a united youth soccer calendar event of the year,” Price said. “The talent was there. I'm not surprised that they’ve got this far but they might have surprised one or two people.”

For Ochoa and the other players its an opportunity of a lifetime.

 “It's a little surreal,” Ochoa said. “We never thought we’d have an opportunity coming out of Bend to even play at a tournament like this so we’re all super excited and can’t wait to get there.”

Some of the team heads out Sunday, while the rest leave on Monday.