FRISCO, Texas (July 24, 2007) - The 2007 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 Player’s Luncheon held at the Frisco Convention Center in Frisco, Texas.

Over 1,200 players, coaches, referees, officials and administrators shared the afternoon honoring each other’s accomplishments and commitment to soccer.

US Youth Soccer President Larry Monaco encouraged the teams to enjoy this great experience that they have worked so hard to earn. “Congratulations on your accomplishments, good luck, play hard and have fun."  

Teams will have the chance to test their skills when round-robin play begins tomorrow, Wednesday, July 25 at 7:30 a.m. and runs through Friday. National champions will be crowned on Saturday, July 28 and Sunday, July 29.

The highlight of the afternoon for the players was the 2007 US Youth Soccer Regional Championship final highlight video. As the intro music began the players began clapping and bobbing their heads to the sights and sounds.

Today, the regional highlight videos were added to the event’s official web site (http://championships.usyouthsoccer.org).  In addition to a video highlight of today’s Player Luncheon, the site will feature daily video clips. 

The 2007 US Youth Soccer National Championship Series is the country’s most prestigious national youth soccer tournament, providing over 185,000 players on more than 10,000 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.

The US Youth Soccer National Championships cap a yearlong series of competitions for boys and girls teams in multiple age groups as teams earn their way from the top team in their state to the regional championship tournaments. 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 group from each regional event converge to enjoy the nation’s top competition.

The James P. McGuire Cup is the oldest trophy in youth sport dating back to 1935 with the inaugural youth championships. The under-19 boys age group as the National Champion will hoist the McGuire Cup. This is the 72^nd anniversary of the storied cup.

The US Youth Soccer National Championship trophies were paraded into the banquet hall by honored referees. The players were able to take pictures in front of the displayed trophies during the luncheon, but only a select 12 teams will be able to raise their trophy in victory after this weekend’s finals. These twelve trophies hold a rich history of great soccer and will again be on display for the championship finals over the weekend. 

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 2007, 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 2006 NSCAA/adidas National Rankings for NCAA Division I schools.

On Tuesday, August 7 at 8 p.m. Eastern, The US Youth Soccer National Championships Highlight Show, Presented by adidas, will air on the Fox Soccer Channel, US Youth Soccer's official television partner. The show will highlight the national championships providing feature stories, interviews, game highlights and more.

For more information please visit http://Championship.USYouthSoccer.org.