Nguyen Wins FC 24 National Championship

Dallas College Cedar Valley's Khoi Nguyen is a back-to-back national champ.

Nguyen, "Midsas800," won his National Junior College Athletic Association eSports FC 24 Tier 1 National Championship series with Kinsborough Community College, 3-1, Monday to claim the national title. It is the second straight semester Nguyen, a computer science major, has won a national title, having captured the Tier 3 FIFA championship in the fall. 

"Coming to Tier 1, honestly I didn't expect too much, I wasn't really expecting to win it all," Nguyen said. "After beating Zaid, I definitely felt my potential was higher. I definitely feel absolutely honored and excited to be recognized as a champion. It's a testament to the hard work and the dedication from my coach (Marcus Woodard) and myself. Just absolutely grateful for this opportunity. The hard work from me and my coach paid off weekly. This win is definitely not made from myself, but also from Coach King because he definitely helped me improve, not only from my game play after reviewing my film after sessions, he definitely helped to boost my confidence and my mentality. All thanks to Coach King."

In his second year as Cedar Valley's head coach, Woodard has coached three national champs over the last three semester seasons -- including two in soccer. 

"After Midas won the Tier 3 championship last fall, and seeing his skills improve after all the work he put in every week this spring, I knew he had a chance at reaching nationals," Woodard said, "but after he defeated the reigning two-time champion, I knew he could win it all."

Midas800 beat two-time FIFA champion Zaid Gutierrez of Dallas College North Lake, 3-2, in the opening round of the playoffs. Nguyen, the No. 1 seed, beat the No. 2 seed from Kinsborough to claim the spring FC championship, marking the second straight semester he won an NJCAAe championship in gaming soccer. He went 4-0 in the playoffs on the way to the championship. Nguyen finished the spring with a 9-2 overall record.

"It's definitely more than fulfilling to win two awards in the same (academic year)," Nguyen said. "I've only played the game for three years. I think I've definitely gotten better each and every year with the more time I've spent competing in the eSports I've always dreamed of being able to do as a child. But now to do so to, not only win titles with all the competition, it's definitely a dream come true. All thanks to Coach and the staff and everybody. 

"As far as representing, to be one of the champions for Dallas College, I'm definitely happy for myself and for Dallas College."

Nguyen became Dallas College's fifth eSports gamer to win a national championship -- all in traditional sports games. He is the third gamer from Cedar Valley to win a national championship. He is the fourth Dallas College eSports champ in soccer.