Soccer America announces top 40 boys and girls youth soccer clubs in America for 2009
US Youth Soccer continues as common thread of America's Best
Click here for more information about the top five boys and girls clubs.

FRISCO, Texas (September 30, 2009) – Today, Soccer America magazine named the Top 40 boys and girls youth soccer clubs in America.  Again, US Youth Soccer continues as the common thread of America's best.

Now in its seventh installment, Soccer America selected the top 40 boys and girls clubs, based on success of their teams in national youth competitions over the last three years and national recognition for players from these clubs in 2009. 

 

The most important criteria for determining "Soccer America's Top 40 youth rankings" was success in the US Youth Soccer National Championships during a three-year cycle (2007-2009) and the number of players who went on to U.S. Soccer National Teams and were selected to US Youth Soccer Olympic Development Program All-Star rosters.

"Congratulations to each of the clubs selected as 'America's Best Youth Clubs' by Soccer America," said Larry Monaco, president of US Youth Soccer. "It's wonderful to see that this publication continues to recognize the work of coaches, players and administrators. These clubs are honored for their dedication and efforts to the game. Their recognition provides us with another opportunity to be proud of how clubs, leagues, State Associations and national programs advance soccer to be 'The Game for All Kids'."

 

"Selecting America's annual youth rankings has become very difficult because of the increasing quality we're seeing in all parts of the country and the range of playing opportunities available for players," said Paul Kennedy, editor in chief and general manager of Soccer America. "We have expanded our rankings to 40 clubs. The most important criteria for our rankings is success in US Youth Soccer National Championships, which have also expanded to include additional top teams with the creation of the US Youth Soccer National League."

 

* US Youth Soccer National Champions at least once from 2007-2009
^ Advanced to the US Youth Soccer National Championships at least once from 2007-2009 through the US Youth Soccer Regional Championships or US Youth Soccer National League
~ Not a member of US Youth Soccer

Click here for more information about the top five boys and girls clubs.
 

"We are honored to be recognized as the No. 1 youth club by Soccer America. US Youth Soccer offers numerous programs that challenge and provide developmental opportunities for our players. I am very proud of all of our players including those who won the US Youth Soccer National Championships and the US Youth Soccer National League this year. Ultimately, it is all about the development of our players on and off the field. Thank you to all of our players who push themselves to the next level and to my fellow coaches, volunteers and parents who help every day, as well as our alumni who put us in position to succeed. Thank you to Soccer America for this great honor. We look forward to our future," said Steve Nichols, coach of the 2009 Under-15 Boys US Youth Soccer National Champions and National League Champions and the 2009 Under-19 Boys US Youth Soccer National Champions.

"It has been a fantastic year for us that included our affiliation with Manchester United, one of the top clubs in the world, having five teams in the US Youth Soccer National Championships, our U-16 Boys crowned US Youth Soccer National Champions, making history in the Dallas Cup by winning three championships in one year and now this, being recognized by Soccer America as one of the top clubs in the country.  Needless to say, this makes me very proud and at the same time very grateful and thankful for all of the hard working people in our organization who help to make these things possible.  With all of the great clubs around the county, it is not easy to be recognized as No. 1 for the last several years," said Hassan Nazari, founder and director of coaching of the Dallas Texans. Nazari is also the coach of the 2009 Under-16 Boys US Youth Soccer National Champions.

"Soccer America's acknowledgement further solidifies US Youth Soccer's position as the leader in providing player development opportunities through programs such as the US Youth Soccer National Championship Series, US Youth Soccer National League and the US Youth Soccer Olympic Development Program," said Jim Cosgrove, executive director of US Youth Soccer. "The storied National Championships Series is second to none and US Youth Soccer ODP continues to lead the nation in elite player identification and development."

 

US Youth Soccer ODP is known as the premier identification and development program for youth seeking the opportunity to compete at the national, professional and collegiate levels. US Youth Soccer ODP is the only elite player development program that can claim members of Major League Soccer and the Women's Professional Soccer, as well as a majority of current and past national and youth team members, as alumni.

 

The US Youth Soccer National Championship Series, the country's most prestigious national youth soccer tournament, consists of three levels of competition for boys and girls teams in multiple age groups. Each year over 10,000 teams participate.

 

The US Youth Soccer National League competition is for the nation's top teams in the Under-15, 16 and 17 boys and girls age groups. The National League offers additional exposure to collegiate, professional and U.S. National Team coaches and offers top notch competition. The top two teams, from each age group, advance to the US Youth Soccer National Championships.

 

For more information on US Youth Soccer and any of the programs offered please visit www.USYouthSoccer.org. For more information about Soccer America please visit www.SoccerAmerica.com.

 

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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.
  

About Soccer America - Founded in 1971, Soccer America is the country's leading national soccer communications company publishing a monthly magazine and 20 e-newsletter editions each week for its members. In 2003, Soccer America was named one of the nation's 50 best magazines by the Chicago Tribune.