Over 150 college coaches on-site scouting  

Field to be narrowed from 210 to 56 after tomorrow's final day of round robin play

ROCKFORD, Illinois (June 22, 2008) – Round robin play concludes tomorrow at the US Youth Soccer Region II Championships determining the 56 of 210 teams that will advance to Tuesday's semifinal round.  Today has been filled with teams advancing their effort and those seeking to right their course.  Three days of round robin play will determine the top team from each pool to advance to semifinal play. 

Brian Plotkin, Chicago Fire midfielder and two-time NCAA champion, was in attendance today to meet with players, sign autographs and relive some of his most cherished days as a youth.  Plotkin, an Illinois product with the Chicago Sockers youth club, has advanced to his professional dreams with Major League Soccer and looked back to his days playing US Youth Soccer with great pride. 

"This is where it all happens and where you want to be," said Plotkin.  "I remember making it here (Region II Championships) several times and winning the (US Youth Soccer) National Championship in 2001.  From my days in (US Youth Soccer) Olympic Development Program to these championships, these were my favorite times." 

Plotkin played his last US Youth Soccer ball at the 2001 regional championships also held in Rockford.

The Midwest has been devastated of late with historic flooding and this year's regional event was also impacted, forcing a new location, Rock Valley College, to be used in place of Sportscore 1.  The teams are aware of the destruction and many clubs from many states have followed the lead of the Kansas City FC Rangers Under-15 Boys who brought cases of water with them to Rockford to assist the families in need. 

"I saw the photos from an email of the complex (Sportscore 1) we were scheduled to play at this week and I couldn't believe it," said Raffie Anderson KCFC Rangers Under-15 Boys parent and key in the relief effort.  "It started with that email and I started sending emails to the tournament director and then our team and others inside the state and the idea was to bring cases of bottled water to the American Red Cross.  Talking with the city and convention bureau it was determined that clean water was a need we could help with.  Many other teams have joined and the players are learning how something so simple can make a difference."   

Teams are bringing cases of water to the Rockford Area Convention and Visitors Bureau tent located inside Sportscore 2.  

KCFC Rangers (KS) Under-15 Boys met Westside United 93 Green (IN) today.  Brandon Ayres scored first for Westside in the 27^th on a ball that beat Reilly Anderson to the upper corner.  It would take sixty-seconds for Taylor Reinoehl to put the Rangers in front 2:1 (58^th, 59^th) in the second half.  Despite the effort and a number of late scoring chances, Anderson would make two key saves to solidify the win.      

Defending 2007 US Youth Soccer National Champion (Under-18) Force Football Club, who tied Toro Magic (NE) yesterday, was able to secure a much needed win, and the three points in the standings that accompany it, against Ohio Premier Green (OH-S), 2:1, in the Under-19 Girls. 

Under-18 Boys FC Milwaukee Blue (WI) continued their shutout today against Blast FC (OH-S).  The back-to-back regional champion Blue were led by Anthony Patterson's two goals (20^th, 64^th) in the 4:0 win.  Tomorrow the Blue will face BVSC Stars (KS) who are also 2-0-0 in Group A at 4:00p.m.    

Additional game recaps are available at http://championships.usyouthsoccer.org/regionII. 

Today's scores…

Regional winners of the Under-14 through Under-19 brackets earn a berth to the 2008 US Youth Soccer National Championships to be played July 22-27, in Little Rock, Arkansas, at Burns Park Soccer Complex.

The James P. McGuire Cup is the oldest trophy in youth sport dating back to 1935 with the inaugural youth championships. The under-19 boys age group as the National Champion will hoist the McGuire Cup. This is the 73rd anniversary of the storied cup.

Daily reports and complete results from the tournament will be available on http://championships.usyouthsoccer.org/regionII.  

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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.  Adding to the excitement in 2008, the national championships will feature two teams from the newly formed US Youth Soccer National League in the U-15 and U-16 age groups.  Overall the US Youth Soccer National Championship Series provides the nation's top collegiate coaches with the premier stage to identify and scout the most coveted players in the country.

About the United States Youth Soccer Association (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.

Media Request: When referring to the United States Youth Soccer Association, the largest youth sports organization in the United States, please refer to the association only as US Youth Soccer, and never as USYS or USYSA. We appreciate your cooperation.