FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: US Youth Soccer Communications at communications@usyouthsoccer.org or 1-800-4SOCCER
Pre-eminent multi-sport facility to provide one-of-a-kind youth soccer experience and world-class family vacation opportunity.
FRISCO, Texas (November 30, 2021) — US Youth Soccer (USYS) is proud to announce that ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World Resort has been selected to host the 2022 US Youth Soccer National Championships, which will take place July 19-24, 2022.
Each summer, US Youth Soccer crowns a boys and girls national champion in each of its seven age divisions: 13U, 14U, 15U, 16U, 17U, 18U and 19U. The USYS National Championships — which are a culmination of a yearlong series of competitions at the state and regional levels — will feature USYS Regional Champions and top-finishing USYS National League P.R.O. teams. The National Championships are comprised of group play, semifinals and finals, with teams eliminated after each stage of the event.
The USYS National Championships serve as the crown jewel of competitive youth soccer in the United States, as up to 200 of the nation’s top youth soccer teams in the 13U through 19U Boys and Girls age groups compete for the US Youth Soccer National Championship title. The US Youth Soccer National Championships are the country’s most prestigious national youth soccer tournament, providing approximately 185,000 players on over 10,000 teams from US Youth Soccer State Associations the opportunity to showcase their soccer skills against the best competition in the nation while emphasizing teamwork, discipline, and fair play.
“We are excited to bring the 2022 National Championships to ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Disney,” said Skip Gilbert, USYS CEO. “This unique Florida location, where our athletes can compete on world-class fields while also celebrating with their families at the Most Magical Place on Earth, will make our National Championships even more memorable for our teams and guests. We look forward to delivering another top-flight programming experience for our elite teams in a unique and family-friendly location. Given the heritage and history of the USYS National Championships, were are excited to see our players challenge themselves at this renowned Disney sports venue under the Florida sunshine.”
“Florida Youth Soccer Association (FYSA) is proud to once again be the host state for the 2022 US Youth Soccer National Championships at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. This is an incredible location with tremendous opportunities for fun with family and teammates. FYSA is committed to making this a safe and exciting National Championship. The outstanding Florida attractions, accommodations, and (most importantly) world-class soccer facilities at Disney will all be on display for the entire soccer community,” said Joel Dragan, FYSA Executive Director.
The USYS National Championships bring another key youth soccer event to the sports complex’s growing soccer portfolio, which will include the new Disney Cup Soccer Series — a collection of three tournaments where teams in various age divisions earn points based on their performance — as well as the prestigious Disney Soccer Showcase for girls and boys teams. It’s also the sports complex’s second USYS event, joining the USYS National League P.R.O. season in December that features more than 200 elite boys and girls teams in the 15U-19U age groups.
“Being selected to host the USYS National Championships further underscores the nationwide appeal of ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex within the youth soccer community,’’ Disney Sports vice president Faron Kelley said. “We continue to work with industry-leading organizations such as USYS to bring the best youth soccer events to ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex where young soccer athletes and their families can have a one-of-a-kind soccer experience while also enjoying the Most Magical Place on Earth.”
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 provide world-class support, resources and leadership, helping every member fulfill their goals, on and off the field of play. US Youth Soccer registers nearly 3 million players annually. Through its programming, resources and leadership, US Youth Soccer is advancing the game for its 54 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. We Are Youth Soccer. For more information, visit www.usyouthsoccer.org.
About the US Youth Soccer National Championship Series
The US Youth Soccer National Championship Series is the country’s oldest and most prestigious national youth soccer tournament, providing approximately 185,000 players on more than 10,000 teams from US Youth Soccer State Associations the opportunity to showcase their soccer skills against the best competition in the nation. Emphasizing teamwork, discipline and fair play, the US Youth Soccer National Championship Series also provides the nation’s top collegiate, pro and international coaches with the premier stage to identify and scout the most coveted players in the country. Dating back to 1935, the USYS National Championships culminates with the presentation of the famed McGuire Cup.
About ESPN Wide World of Sports
ESPN Wide World of Sports, located at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida, is one of the premier sites for amateur sports in the nation. The complex has hosted more than 100 entertainment and sporting events each year and has accommodated 70 different sports featuring athletes from 70 different countries. Designed to provide professional, amateur and youth athletes with experiences synonymous with the names Disney and ESPN, the 220-acre facility features multiple competition venues, including 16 baseball/softball fields; a 9,500-seat ballpark; 18 multi-purpose outdoor fields for soccer, football and field hockey; three field houses for basketball, volleyball and other indoor sports; a track & field facility; and a cross country course. The sports complex also contains a professional production center which produces content for the Disney family of networks and distributes programming globally through its extensive fiber network in HD, 4K and immersive 8K. For more information, visit www.disneysportsnews.com for news releases, photos and videos. Follow us on Twitter at @ESPNWWOS and at Facebook at ESPNWWOS.
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