LAS VEGAS (June 18, 2007) – Thousands of US Youth Soccer players began their quest for a National Championship today at the Bettye Wilson Soccer Complex and the Kellogg Zaher Sport Complex at the US Youth Soccer Region IV (West) Championships. Over the next seven days, over 500 games will be played and in the end, 14 US Youth Soccer Region IV Champions will be crowned.

Teams continue to adjust to the Las Vegas heat where today the temperature was expected to reach 104 degrees by mid-afternoon as the morning games wrapped up. Last week, teams from Alaska arrived to acclimate to the heat. Today, the Under-14 Girls Alaska Youth Soccer Club 93 held tight against ESUFC Chelsea (Oregon) until the final minutes of play when Chelsea found the back of the net, 0-1. Now that they have their water breaks down to a science and a team mom with a mister poised on the sidelines, who knows what they can accomplish tomorrow when they play the NW Nationals Rayos from Washington.

The first day of preliminary play felt unusual for the Under-15 Boys Valley United Blast. The Blast have won the US Youth Soccer Region IV Championships the past three years and won the national championship last year. Today the experienced side met a local Las Vegas Premier 92 that was more than up to the challenge. The Premier’s sidelines were packed as family and friends turned out to cheer on the boys. The Premier won the match, 2-0.

The state of Hawaii had a good showing today, winning eight matches, tying one, and losing two. The Under-15 girls Hawaii Soccer Club Bulls 92 won 3-2 against the Sparta Premier from Utah. A featured player for the Bulls is Tani Costa. Costa will participate in adidas esp (elite soccer program) next month for top youth talent.

The Boise Nationals Under-19 Boys (Idaho) tied today against the Inter FC Premier (Utah). The Nationals made it to the Region IV Championships last year when games were played in their hometown. The teams were evenly matched and both played well.  Their fates will be decided during the final two days of round robin play, tomorrow and Wednesday.