As Regional rounds of qualification have been completed except for the Region I Under 23 Cup, we can officially announce the soul and heart of the 2008 USASA National Cups Finals:  the teams. They take the game seriously; play hard no matter what, and most importantly, they never give up as they continue to raise the bar every time their cleats touch the field.

These teams have overcome on top of over hundreds of teams from across the United States at the state and regional levels. They will now – proudly represent their respective region in the Open, Amateur, Over 30 and Under 23 divisions at Starfire Sports Complex, Seattle, WA, on August 7-10.

“I am always impressed by the level of play at the National Cups Finals, last year we saw some great individual skill and well organized team tactics. If you saw the promotional video produced by USASA recently, it contained clear examples. I would expect to see the same this year in Seattle” said Werner Fricker Jr., National Cups Chairman. 

According to Fricker, the premier amateur soccer clubs in the United States are always participants of the national championship; teams from well respected clubs that have won national and regional titles as well as played in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup have gone through the USASA path. RWB Adria, German Hungarians, Pancyprian Freedoms, Ajax America and Baltimore Colts are a few of the National Cups competitors.

A total of thirty-two teams will play in Seattle this august, some have a long history of participation and some are new to the tournament. Returning teams include: NY Athletic Club (E-NY) – 2007 Women’s Amateur Cup Champion; Ajax America (WPSL) – 2007 Women’s OpenCup  Champion, RWB Adria (IL) – 2007 Men’s Open participant; FC Indiana (IN) – 2007 Women’s Open finalist; Scott Gallagher (MO) – 2007 Men’s Over 30 Champion, Dallas Sting (TX) – 2007 Women’s Open participant; Kickers (FL) – 2007 Men’s Amateur participant; Houston Challengers – 2007 Women’s Over 30 participant; and Big Ballers (AZ) – 2007 Men’s Over 30 finalist.

“The USASA National Cups are the highest and most prestigious titles sought after by adult amateur teams” expressed Fricker. “We are aware of the commitment to success by the players, coaches and managers. We, the National Cup Committee, are devoted to that same ideal. We are further committed to seeing that the team’s experience at the National Finals is of that level that it deserves to be. We look forward to some great games and fair play.”

The 2008 teams are as follows:

Region I
Men’s Open: Pancyprian Freedoms (Eastern New York); Women’s Open: United German Hungarian – Elite (Eastern Pennsylvania)
Men’s Amateur: Baltimore Colts FC (Maryland); Women’s Amateur: NY Athletic Club (Eastern New York)
Men’s Over 30: Danbury United O30 (Connecticut); Women’s Over 30: United German Hungarian O30 (Eastern Pennsylvania)

Region II
Men’s Open: RWB Adria (Illinois); Women’s Open: FC Indiana (Indiana)
Men’s Amateur: Croatian Eagles (Wisconsin); Women’s Amateur: Eclipse (Illinois)
Men’s Over 30: Scott Gallagher (Missouri); Women’s Over 30: JB Marine (Missouri)
Men’s under 23: Ela Elite (Illinois); Women’s Under 23: JB Marine (Missouri)

Region III
Men’s Open: Galactics (Florida); Women’s Open: Dallas Sting (Texas)
Men’s Amateur: Kickers (Florida); Women’s Amateur: Turbo D’feeters (Texas)
Men’s Over 30: Kickers (Florida); Women’s Over 30: Houston Challengers (Texas)
Men’s Under 23: Brandon Flames (Florida); Women’s Under 23: North Texas Select (Texas)

Region IV
Men’s Open: Arizona Sahuaros (Arizona); Women’s Open: Ajax America (WPSL)
Men’s Amateur: Lazio (Utah); Women’s Amateur: Colorado Sporting Fire (Colorado)
Men’s Over 30: Big Ballers (Arizona); Women’s Over 30: Forza (Washington)
Men’s Under 23: Arizona Sahuaros (Arizona); Women’s Under 23: Real Colorado (Colorado)

Did you know these teams go through an extensive qualification process? It all starts off with approximately 250 teams across the country. Teams start qualifying at the state level, once the winners of each division have been declared, they move on to the Regional Cups. At this stage, state champions within each region face off to determine a regional champion. Along with the claim of being regional champions, these teams also earn the right to compete in the National Cups Finals for the distinction of national champions.

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