Round Robin Completes in US Youth Soccer Region II Championships

Field is narrowed from 210 to 56 for tomorrow's semifinal play beginning at 8:00.a.m.
All games scheduled at Sportscore 2 Complex

07 National Champion Force Football Club (MI) advances in Under-19 Girls

Back-to-Back Regional Champion FC Milwaukee Blue (WI) advances in Under-18 Boys  

ROCKFORD, Illinois (June 23, 2008) – An intense day of play closed out the round robin matches of the US Youth Soccer Region II (Midwest) Championships today.  210 teams took the fields with only 56 advancing to tomorrow's semifinals.  All remaining games, semifinals and finals, are scheduled to be played at Sportscore 2 Soccer Complex. 

Regional champions will be crowned after Wednesday's regional finals with the Under-14 through Under-19 age groups advancing to the 2008 US Youth Soccer National Championships held in Little Rock, Arkansas, July 22-27.

"Today is a difficult day for all of the teams," said Bob Hart, US Youth Soccer Region II Championships Committee Chairman.  "To qualify for these championships is a huge accomplishment and for those that aren't able to advance it is disappointing because everyone wants that honor and aspires to be the one team in their group to make it to the US Youth Soccer National Championships." 

The Capital City SC from North Dakota looked to be the only club from the state to advance to the regional semifinals after wins on Saturday and Sunday.  However Capital City met a strong Scott Gallagher (MO) club who shut out Capital City and advanced with the win in Under-13 Boys. 

Other teams looking to advance included… 

2007 National Champion, Under-19 Girls Force Football Club (MI) continued quality play today against Carmel United Crossfire (IN).  Linsdey Haroutunian started things off for the Force with a goal in the 21^st and teammate Amanda Bowery followed up with another in the 30^th.  The 2:0 lead held through the half and deep into the second.  Laura Heyboer added a third goal for the Force but the shutout was broken when Jaclyn scored in the 82^nd for Crossfire.  Force moves on to the semifinals.

2007 Regional Champion, Nebraska FC Bluejays also continued quality play today facing FC Milwaukee Blue (WI) in the Under-19 Boys.  Nebraska's solid backline would hold the Milwaukee to only shots as Brian Holt played a solid match in goal defending each of the Blues attacks.  Matt Wadleigh, Jeff Thayer and Ryan Robinson (36^th, 74^th, 90+) would score for Nebraska who advance to the semifinals with the 3:0 win.    

2005 National Champion, St. Louis Soccer Club-Miller (MO) faced Ohio Elite Soccer Academy (OH-S) in Under-18 Girls.  Elite's Amanda Mason scored in only the third minute of play.  St. Louis would march right back in with a Sally Betscher goal in the 8^th.  St. Louis' pressure would continue and find success with goals from Julie King and Alexandria Baer (37^th, 58^th) to claim the 3:1 win and advance.

KC Metro Dynamo (KS) faced Bangu Tsunami Blue (MN) in the Under-18 Girls where the Dynamo led 1:0 thanks to a goal from Kathryn Vignatelli in the 21^st.  Vignatelli's goal would hold until the 77^th when Emily Brostrom scored to give Blue the tie (1:1).  The Blue will advance to the semifinals to play Eclipse Select (IL).     

2006 National Champion, Eclipse Select (IL) is through to the semifinals thanks to two goals from Mary Kubiuk in the 69^th and 80^th to defeat Bangu Tsunami Stars (MN), 2:0.  Both teams played to a scoreless first half. The former Under-15 national champions will face Michigan Wolves tomorrow to see who will advance to Wednesday's final. 

2007 Regional Champion, Michigan Wolves were eliminated from the Under-17 Boys tournament today after a loss to United 1996 FC International (KY).  Last year the Wolves lost in the finals to Real So Cal (CA-S) who won their third consecutive national crown.  In today's match the lone goal from Austin Decker in the 14^th would hold (1:0).  United will face Scott Gallagher (MO) tomorrow. 

Back-to-Back Regional Champs, FC Milwaukee Blue needed a win or a tie today while their opponent Blue Valley Stars (KS) had to have the win to advance in Under-18 Boys.  Milwaukee got the quick start with a goal by Jimmy Banks in the 4^th followed by Robert Brown great header to double the advantage in the 8^th.  Stars' Matthew McDevitt converted in the 26^th to cut the lead in half.  During the second Jimmy Simon knotted the score at 2:2.  It would take sixty seconds for Blue to again take the lead with a Nicholas Unger goal (62^nd) and the Blue defense would do the rest to advance them to tomorrow's semifinal against Scott Gallagher (MO).

Today's scores…

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

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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 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.

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