USASA to hold U23 National Finals in conjunction with 2010 US Youth Soccer National Championships
The United States Adult Soccer Association (USASA), the governing body of adult soccer in the U.S., is proud to announce the partnership between the USASA U23 National Cup Finals and the 2010 US Youth Soccer National Championships, the country’s most prestigious national youth soccer tournament. The event will be held by the United States Youth Soccer Association (US Youth Soccer) at the Overland Park Soccer Complex on July 20-25, in Overland Park, Kansas.
This exciting venture will allow both organizations to work collaboratively at the national level for the growth of the game. The partnership will certainly increase adult exposure and raise awareness amongst youth players, meaning that there is soccer life after reaching 19 years of age. Along with the national soccer entities, these premier events will be hosted by Kansas State Youth Soccer and the Kansas State Soccer Association.
“It’s nice to see this idea come to fruition and I know US Youth Soccer and USASA are ecstatic to be jointly working the 2010 event and look forward to venturing together in the years to come,” said USASA National Administrator, Stephanie Walker. “We are excited to be able to work with US Youth Soccer to bring the top amateur teams into what is already a spectacular event.”
USASA teams are scheduled to play July 23-25. There will be two teams representing each of the four USASA regions in the men’s and women’s categories, for a total of 16 teams. Players in the area and spectators in general will have the opportunity to watch the best adult teams in the country play top soccer.
“The anticipation of the US Youth Soccer National Championships only increases with the inclusion of the USASA U23 National Cup Finals providing a great date on the calendar for soccer dreams to become a reality. We hope this relationship opens more doors to continued growth and development through soccer,” said Jim Cosgrove, executive director of US Youth Soccer.
The US Youth Soccer National Championships will consist of US Youth Soccer Regional Champions in the Under-14 through Under-19 Boys and Girls age groups as well as the US Youth Soccer National League qualifiers in the Under-15 through Under-17 Boys and Girls age groups to complete the field of 60 teams. 2010 marks the 75th Anniversary of the storied James P. McGuire Cup awarded to the Under-19 Boys National Champion since 1935.
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About the United States Adult Soccer Association - The United States Adult Soccer Association is the premier national soccer organization dedicated to participation in, enjoyment and growth of adult soccer across America. We are recognized for providing leadership and valued programs, resources and services to support our member organizations, making "Soccer - your game for life."
USASA operates 54 national state associations through its local members and is the USSF affiliation for the PDL a part of the United Soccer Leagues (USL), the Women’s Premier Soccer League (WPSL), the National Premier Soccer League (NPSL), as well as several regional interstate soccer leagues. In addition, AYSO is an adult soccer member of USASA as AYSO continues its efforts to offer adult play among its parents, volunteers, and youth players who have advanced to adult age.
USASA stages national competitions for club teams, veteran’s teams, coed teams annually, as well as stages a national player development program. In addition, USASA fields men’s amateur teams participating in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Soccer Open Cup competition annually, both through its own member state associations and through the PDL teams from USL.
For more information visit their website at www.usasa.com.
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 Regional Leagues, advance to compete in one of four the US Youth Soccer Regional Championships. Champions (U-14 through U-19) from each regional event advance to the US Youth Soccer National Championships. The Under-15 through 17 Boys and Girls age groups have two teams representative of the US Youth Soccer National League, in which the top two teams in each gender age group earn a direct path to the national championships. Overall the National Championship Series provides top collegiate coaches with the premier stage to identify and scout the most coveted players in the country. For more information, visit http://championships.usyouthsoccer.org.
About the United States Youth Soccer Association (US Youth Soccer) – US Youth Soccer - "The Game for ALL Kids!®" is the largest youth sports organization in the country and largest member of the United States Soccer Federation, the governing body of soccer in the United States. US Youth Soccer registers more than 3 million players annually, ages 5 to 19, and over 900,000 administrators, coaches and volunteers in 55 member State Associations. US Youth Soccer programs provide a fun, safe and healthy environment for players at every level of the game. For more information, visit www.USYouthSoccer.org. 
