ORLANDO, FL (July 20, 2004) - The US Youth Soccer National Championships began today with Preliminary Round play at the Disney Wide World of Sports Complex.

The United Quest Red 85 Under-18 Girls (GA) wasted no time, getting on the scoreboard early against World Class (NJ) as Ashley Stinson found the back of the net in only the second minute of the game. However, World Class' Amanda Lebo scored two first half goals giving her team momentum heading into the second half. Nicki Gross and Denay Riley also scored goals for World class as they coasted to a 4-2 victory.

"Coming into this tournament, we knew that this wasn't going to be easy. We got down very early but had the confidence in our own games to fight back," said Amanda Lebo, who scored two goals for World Class. "All of the teams in this tournament are good, if they weren't, they wouldn't be here. We know we can win against some of the best in the country so that adds to our confidence for the rest of the week."

Following this morning's games, the best overall regional showing has come from the US Youth Soccer Far West Region as the representatives have yet to lose in eight matches, winning five and tying three.

In the Under-16 division, defending US Youth Soccer Boys National Champion, Casa Mia (MD), lost to FC United '87 (WA), 2-1 and the defending US Youth Soccer Girls National Champion PDA Wildcats (NJ) outscored Renegades (FL), 2-1.

Representing Delaware in its first-ever National Championships appearance, the Hockessin Blizzard downed the host-state Tampa Bay Kickers 3-1. Tampa's Matthew Palmer opened scoring at 22:00, but Hockessin rallied back with two goals from Matthew Margiotta in the 32:00 and 40:00. Delaware's Joe Crowley knotched the final tally at 44:00.

Play resumes at 6pm and 8pm with action in the Under 17 and Under-19 divisions.

The 2004 US Youth Soccer National Championship Series, providing approximately 124,000 players on 7,200 teams from US Youth Soccer's 55 State Associations the opportunity to showcase their soccer skills against the best competition in the nation while emphasizing teamwork, discipline and fair play, is the country's most prestigious national youth soccer tournament. The US Youth Soccer National Championships cap a yearlong series of competitions for boys and girls teams in multiple age brackets.

About US Youth Soccer - US Youth Soccer-The Game for ALL Kids!® is the largest member of the United States Soccer Federation, the governing body of soccer in the United States. US Youth Soccer registers more than 3.2 million players annually, ages 5 to 19, in 55 member state associations. US Youth Soccer programs provide a fun, safe and healthy environment for players at every level of the game.

US Youth Soccer National Championships
Day 1 Morning Session Results - Preliminary Matches

Under-14 Boys
Hockessin Blizzard (Delaware) 3, Tampa Bay Kickers (Florida) 1
Goal Scorers: Matthew Palmer (Tampa) 22:00, (2) Matthew Margiotta (Hockessin) 32:00, 40:00, Joe Crowley (Hockessin) 44:00
Rockford Raptors (Illinois) 2 vs. Celtic Harps (California South) 2
Goal Scorers: Rigo Ramirez (Celtic) 10:00, Mario Gutierrez (Celtic) 35:00+, Brad Horton (Rockford) 41:00, Shawn Johnson (Rockford) 52:00

Under-14 Girls
Eagles (California South) 2, Mt Laurel United Strikers (New Jersey) 0
Goal Scorers: Gracie Gartrell (Eagles) 64:00, Emily Cressy (Eagles) 70:00+

ESC 90 Black (Oklahoma) 3, Michigan Hawks (Michigan) 0
Goal Scorers: Jordan Calhoun (ESC) 45:00, Kelsey Boswell (ESC) 61:00, Kyndall Treadwell (ESC) 67:00

Under-15 Boys
Solar 89 (North Texas) 1, Arsenal FC (California South) 1
Goal Scorers: David Reyes (Solar) 15:00, Ryan Peterman (Arsenal) 68:00
Chicago Magic (Illinois) 1, Bethesda United (Maryland) 1
Goal Scorers: Steven Wujek (Bethesda) 21:00, Pete Sabo (Chicago) 28:00

Under-15 Girls
PDA Fury (New Jersey) 0, Mustang Blast (California North) 1
Goal Scorers: Shannon Lacy (Mustang) 75:00
Michigan Hawks (Michigan) 0, Dallas Texans 89 Red (North Texas) 0

Under-16 Boys
Chicago s Magic (Illinois) 1 vs. Texans 87/88 (South Texas) 2
Goal Scorers: Richard King (Texans) 5:00, Arturo Rodriguez (Chicago) 51:00, Jonathan Yanez (Texans) 69:00
FC United '87 (Washington) 3 vs. Casa Mia Bays (Maryland) 1
Goal Scorers: Ciaran O'Brien (FC United) 18:00, Jonathan Ports (Casa Mia) 35:00, (2) Corey Kelmel (FC United) 77:00, 78:00

Under-16 Girls
Renegades (Florida) 1 vs. PDA Wildcats (New Jersey) 2
Goal Scorers: Brianna Schooley (Renegades) 23:00, Gina DeMaio (PDA) 75:00, Elisabeth Redmond (PDA) 78:00
Slammers FC (California South) 2 vs. Eclipse Select (Illinois) 2
Goal Scorers: Whitney Engen (Slammers) 5:00, Brianna Bak (Slammers) 6:00, (2) Lauren Switzer (Eclipse) 17:00, 24:00

Under-18 Boys
Busch SC (Missouri) 0, Texans 85/86 (South Texas) 0
Sereno '86 White (Arizona) 2, FC Greater Boston Bolts (Massachusetts) 1
Goal Scorers: Mike Fuciot (Boston Bolts) 50:00, Brandon McDonald (Sereno) 56:00, Michael Manone (Sereno) 79:00

Under-18 Girls
San Diego Surf (California South) 1, Michigan Hawks (Michigan) 0
Goals Scorers: Amy Epsten (San Diego) 89:00
World Class U18 Girls (New Jersey) 4, United Quest Red 85 (Georgia) 2
Goal Scorers: Ashley Stinson (United Quest) 2:00, (2) Amanda Lebo (World Class) 28:00, 41:00, Nicki Gross (World Class) 67:00, Joni Vickers (United Quest) 70:00, Denay Riley (World Class) 83:00