New league features elite boys' and girls' teams
Inaugural games for Under-15 and Under-16 Boys and Girls set for Raleigh, North Carolina
US Youth Soccer is proud to announce the schedule for the first games of the inaugural US Youth Soccer National League at the WRAL Soccer Center in Raleigh, N.C. Games are set to be played Friday, November 23-25, 2007.
The newly developed league is an extension of the highly successful US Youth Soccer Regional Leagues. Selected regional league teams in the Under-15 and Under-16 Boys' and Girls' divisions are expected to showcase their abilities and talent on the newly formed national league stage.
National League play will continue with matches held on December 27-30 (boys) and December 30-January 2 (girls) during Disney's Soccer Showcase near Orlando, Fla., as well play dates in April (Detroit for the Boys U15 division; Dallas for the Boys U16 and Girls U15 and U16 divisions). Each National League team will face opponents within its division once in round-robin competition.
Paul Luchowski, US Youth Soccer National League Commissioner, said "US Youth Soccer has long stood as the leader in youth soccer and in the organization of events that allow the country's youth to showcase their talents in an environment that is designed for the players. The addition of the US Youth Soccer National League provides a truly national opportunity for players to develop and test themselves in meaningful competition."
In addition to the scouting opportunities for collegiate and U.S. Soccer National Staff coaches, the top two teams that do not capture Regional Cup titles in each age group will earn berths to the annual US Youth Soccer National Championships at the end of July. The National Championships is the culmination of the US Youth Soccer National Championship Series where the nation's champions are crowned in six age groups (Under-14 through Under-19) for boys and girls.
The top four teams in the National League will retain their slots in the league for the 2008-09 seasons, provided that the teams meet all eligibility requirements. The league will look to add the Under-17 age group, boys and girls, in 2008.
For more information about the US Youth Soccer National League, including latest schedules, scores and more visit
www.USYouthSoccer.org. Future schedules will be available shortly on 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 3.2 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.