US Youth Soccer Region IV

Final Teams Named to Quarterfinals as the Last Day of Preliminary Games Comes to a Close

Quarterfinal games start 7 a.m. on Friday, June 22

LAS VEGAS (June 20, 2007) - Today marked the end of regional play for some, while others celebrate victories and look forward to US Youth Soccer Region IV Championships? quarterfinals on Friday. Pressure mounted as teams competed to stay and play in Las Vegas.

Two 2006 national champions secured their places in the quarterfinals this evening. The Under-16 Boys Real So Cal (formerly So Cal United) won the 2005 and 2006 US Youth Soccer National Championships. They are back this year as a wildcard team from Southern California and are working towards their own three-peat. Keeper Elmer Avelar won the Golden Glove the past two years at nationals, and again tonight proved his skills not allowing the Crossfire Premier 90 (Washington) to score. Real So Cal won against the Crossfire 5-0.

Past national champion the Real Colorado Nationals also played this evening to finalize their trip to the quarterfinals. The Under-17 Girls wildcard team played the Eagles from California North tonight. Both teams were guaranteed a spot in the quarterfinals due to their play in the first two days of round robin. The Eagles were the 2004 national champions and were on the attack in tonight?s game. The teams were evenly matched, which will make the elimination rounds in the Under-17 Girls that much more exciting. The game ended tied at 0-0.

The most entertaining match of the evening was the Colorado Rush versus Sereno. Not only did this game boast the loudest most passionate spectators, but also the fastest game play. With eight minutes remaining Kate Russell from the Rush scored off a direct free kick to tie the game. Over 400 fans cheered on as the excitement continued to draw people to the field and the high quality of play kept them mesmerized. Just minutes later, a penalty kick from midfield presented an opportunity for Sereno and they moved all of their players towards the box. The shot hit the top of the goal, just inches too high. Still the girls never slowed down until the final whistle blew and the Rush celebrated their advancement.

?Of all of the brackets and ages, I thought this was the most competitive coming into the tournament,? said Colorado Rush's head coach Erik Bushey. "Sereno is a very good team, with very good players and they are very well organized. There was a lot of pressing and a lot of pressure from both sides tonight. Last night, we scored in the last 30 seconds of play to tie the game. This shows the resilience of the players."

The Under-15 Girls Mustang Spirit from California North moved to quarterfinals today after winning a shoot out this evening. The Mustang Spirit and THUSC Neon (Oregon) were tied for the last spot after today's play. The Spirit will play Idaho?s Premier 91/92 on Friday after winning their shootout, 4:2.

More than 250 top boys and girls US Youth Soccer teams from 14 state associations are competing for the US Youth Soccer Region IV Championships, June 18-24, Bettye Wilson Soccer Complex and the Kellogg Zaher Sports Complex in Las Vegas. Daily reports and complete results from the tournament will be available on www.USYouthSoccer.org and http://Championships.USYouthSoccer.org.

Regional winners of the Under-14 through Under-19 brackets earn a berth to the 2007 US Youth Soccer National Championships to be played July 24-29, at Pizza Hut Park in Frisco, Texas, a suburb of Dallas.