Regional events in Barboursville, W.Va., Beavercreek, Ohio, Baton Rouge, La., and Albuquerque, N.M., total over $44 million to local economies in 2010

FRISCO, Texas (Feb. 16, 2010) - The 2010 US Youth Soccer Region IV (West) Championships, to be played June 15-21, is estimated to provide more than $15 million in economic impact to the Albuquerque, N.M., area.

Local restaurants, hotels, retail stores and others will benefit from the more 4,500 players and their families who take part in this seven-day tournament.

The top 248 US Youth Soccer Boys and Girls teams, including teams from host New Mexico Youth Soccer Association, will compete at the State Farm Soccer Complex in Bernalillo, N.M., for the Region IV Championships.

"We are thrilled to host the US Youth Soccer Region IV Championships and look forward to ensuring a wonderful experience for all of the teams coming to New Mexico," said Jim Tilley, executive director of New Mexico Youth Soccer Association. "Not only is it a great opportunity to host such a successful event for the participants, but this tournament will generate a significant economic impact for the entire area. Visitors will be drawn by the unique landscape, rich history and hot air ballooning."

The Region IV Championships, featuring top teams in the Under-12 through Under-19 age groups, begin with round robin games Monday, June 21 through Wednesday, June 23. Following a rest day, quarterfinal matches are played Friday, June 25, with semifinal matches Saturday, June 26. The US Youth Soccer Region IV Champions will be crowned following final games on Sunday, June 27.

US Youth Soccer State Cup champions and select runners-up from 14 US Youth Soccer State Associations in Region IV, including host New Mexico Youth Soccer Association will participate. The other State Associations represented are Alaska, Arizona, California North, California South, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington and Wyoming.

Regional winners of the Under-14 through Under-19 brackets earn a berth to the 2010 US Youth Soccer National Championships to be played July 20-25, at Overland Park Soccer Complex, in Overland Park, Kan.

This summer marks the 75^th anniversary of the Under-19 Boys James P. McGuire Cup, the oldest trophy in youth sport dating back to 1935 with the inaugural youth championships. The Under-19 Girls National Champion will hoist the Ross Stewart Cup on its 30^th anniversary.

The dates and locations for the 2010 US Youth Soccer Regional Championships and the 2010 US Youth Soccer National Championships are:

US Youth Soccer Region I (East) Championships | Village of Barboursville, W.Va.
Opening Ceremony: July 1 | Marshall University, Joan C. Edwards Stadium
Barboursville City Park Soccer Complex, YMCA Kennedy Center and Scott Orthopedics Soccer Complex
Round Robin: July 2-4
Semis: July 5 
Finals: July 6

US Youth Soccer Region II (Midwest) Championships | Beavercreek, a suburb of Dayton, Ohio
Ankeney Park
Registration: June 25
Round Robin: June 26-28
Semis: June 29
Finals: June 30