Teams are ready to prove why they are here

ORLANDO, Fl. (July 26, 2005) - The 2005 US Youth Soccer National Championships officially began today with the 48 teams competing for national crowns in Under-14 through Under-19 age categories gathering for the Opening Ceremonies luncheon at the Wyndam Palace Resort and Spa. 
 

Players, referees, officials and administrators shared an afternoon honoring each other’s efforts and commitment to US Youth Soccer.  The spirit of competition and the tenets of “Play hard. Play fair. Have fun.” were echoed by each of the afternoon’s speakers.  Additionally Bob Gansler, the 1963 and 1969 U.S. Olympic team captain and head coach for the Kansas City Wizards who won the 2000 MLS Cup, addressed the players. 
 

“You are here because of your commitment to your team and to yourself and your passion and love for the game of soccer,” said Gansler. “I know the anticipation and the excitement.  You’re ready to prove why you’re here - to show why you’re one of the best in the country.”
 

Teams will have the chance to do just that when round-robin play begins Wednesday, July 27th at 7:30 am.  National Champions will be crowned following games on Sunday, July 31st.
 

The US Youth Soccer National Championships, being held for the second year in a row at Disney’s Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando, Fl., cap a yearlong series of competitions for boys and girls teams in multiple age brackets. State Cup champions and selected wildcard teams in most age groups are eligible to compete in one of four US Youth Soccer Regional Championships. The champions in the Under-14 through Under-19 age brackets from each regional event will now compete for their respective National crown.

The 2005 US Youth Soccer National Championship Series is the country’s most prestigious national youth soccer tournament, providing approximately 129,000 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. 

Overall, the US Youth Soccer National Championships provides approximately 129,000 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.

2005 marks a special year for the four teams in the Under-19 Boys age group at the US Youth Soccer National Championship as the National Champion will hoist the James P. McGuire Cup, the oldest trophy in youth sport dating back to 1935 with the inaugural youth championships, on the 70th anniversary of the storied cup. This year also marks the 25th anniversary of the Under-19 Girls Ross Stewart Cup and 20th Anniversary of the Under-16 Girls Patricia L. Masotto Cup. The U.S. Soccer Federation initiated youth championships with the James P. McGuire Cup (Under-19 Boys) in 1935. Since its creation in 1974, US Youth Soccer has added 11 divisions to the National Championship tournament, most recently with the Under-14 and Under-15 Boys and Girls divisions in 2001 to create the series current format.

Annually the US Youth Soccer National Championship Series provides the nation’s top collegiate coaches with the premier stage to identify and scout the most coveted players in the country. In 2004, over 500 coaches attended the US Youth Soccer Regional Championships including the majority of the top 25 men’s and women’s programs based on the final 2004 NSCAA/adidas National Rankings for NCAA Division I schools.