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CONTACT: US Youth Soccer Communications, communications@usyouthsoccer.org or 800-4SOCCER
Player luncheon kicks off 2019 US Youth Soccer National Championships
Top 104 teams in the United States are ready to prove their talent Historic trophies on display for all in attendance
Follow the moments: Official Website | Scores and Standings | Video | LIVE GAMES Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | #ROADtoKS
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OVERLAND PARK, Kan. (July 22, 2019) — The 2019 US Youth Soccer National Championships officially began Monday as more than 3,000 players, coaches, referees, officials and administrators gathered for the player luncheon at the Overland Park Convention Center in Overland Park, Kan. One hundred and four teams from across the country are competing for national crowns in the 13U through 19U Boys and Girls age groups at the Scheels Overland Park Soccer Complex in Overland Park, Kan., and the week of competition began by honoring their accomplishments to this point.
US Youth Soccer National Championship Series Chair, Bob Hart, welcomed the players, coaches and fans to the National Championships and talked about the opportunity the players have in front of them.
“This time of year is so special. It is the end of a season, but the beginning of a week that you will remember for the rest of your lives,” Hart said. “On behalf of US Youth Soccer, I want to congratulate you, your teammates, your coaches, those behind the scenes that get everything organized and especially your parents.”
The National Championships Player Luncheon peaked with excitement as the audience watched a highlight video tracking the teams’ successes at the Regional Championships and in the US Youth Soccer National League.
The final ascent to the National Championship for these teams begins with round robin play Tuesday, July 23 with games at 7:00 a.m., 9:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m., 6:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. Preliminary games continue Wednesday and Thursday. The final matches for the 13U Boys and Girls will take place on Friday and then the 14U through 19U teams will play semifinals on the morning of Saturday, July 27. The 14U through 19U National champions will be crowned on Sunday, July 28.
Live broadcasts will be available for select games during group play and semifinals, as well as all 14 National Championship finals. To watch the live streams of the games, visit http://www.idevmail.net/link.aspx?l=22&d=26&mid=3689921&m=11203
Daily video clips will also be featured on the US Youth Soccer YouTube page. To receive daily information to your inbox, sign up to be a Championships Insider.
The 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 tournament consists of US Youth Soccer Regional Champions in the 13U through 19U Boys and Girls age groups, as well as the US Youth Soccer National League qualifiers in the 14U through 19U Boys and Girls age groups to complete the field of 104 teams.
Each year brings about new challenges and highlights the motivation and commitment of these youth players as they continue pursuing their dreams of being one of the best youth soccer teams in the country. The National Championships are the final step of the US Youth Soccer National Championship Series and open to any US Youth Soccer member. The U.S. Soccer Federation initiated the open youth championships with the James P. McGuire Cup (19U Boys), the oldest trophy in youth sports, in 1935. Since its creation in 1974, US Youth Soccer has added 13 divisions to the national championship tournament, with the 13U Boys and Girls divisions added in 2013 to reach the 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.
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About the US Youth Soccer National Championship Series
The US Youth Soccer National Championship Series provides more than 10,000 teams from US Youth Soccer’s 55 State Associations the opportunity to showcase their abilities against the best in the nation while emphasizing teamwork, discipline and fair play. The yearlong competition begins with over 185,000 players in the US Youth Soccer State Championships. These champions and selected wildcard teams, through US Youth Soccer National League Conferences, advance to compete in one of four US Youth Soccer Regional Championships. Champions 13U-19U from each regional event advance to the US Youth Soccer National Championships. The 14U through 19U Boys and Girls age groups have four teams representing the US Youth Soccer National League. Overall, 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. For more information, visit http://www.idevmail.net/link.aspx?l=23&d=26&mid=3689921&m=11203
About the United States Youth Soccer Association (US Youth Soccer) – US Youth Soccer, the largest youth sport organization in the country, is on a mission to make soccer the preeminent youth sport in the country. US Youth Soccer registers 3 million players annually, ages 5 to 19. Through its programming, resources and leadership, US Youth Soccer is advancing the game for its 55 Member State Associations, 10,000 clubs and leagues and nearly 1 million administrators, coaches and volunteers. US Youth Soccer connects families and communities to the power of sports and its shared love of soccer. US Youth Soccer provides a path for every player, offering programs that provide a fun, safe and healthy environment for players at every level of the game. For more information, visit http://www.USYouthSoccer.org.
