US Youth Soccer Championship
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Wednesday Morning Complete at 2008 US Youth Soccer National Championships
July 23, 2008

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NORTH LITTLE ROCK, Arkansas (July 23, 2008) - Games kicked off early this morning for the 2008 US Youth Soccer National Championships at Burns Park Soccer Complex, in North Little Rock, Arkansas.  Excitement filled the air as teams made their first push of the week towards a national title. Play started off with nerves and a lot of energy. Over 1,000 players will step on to the fields today and see if they have what it takes to be a national champion.
 
Tab Ramos, one of the most decorated players in U.S. soccer history, made his debut at the national championships as the head coach of the Under-14 Boys NJSA Gunners (NJ). Gunners took on Grand Rapids Crew Juniors (MI) where the New Jersey boys were successful 2:1.
 
There are four defending US Youth Soccer National Champions here this week. Among them, is Andromeda 90 (NTX) Under-18 Boys. This year adds an interesting dynamic to their strategy, since they are now defending a title rather than fighting for their first.  
 
Team captain Anthony Gerhart said, "It's just another game. We say we're at nationals and we came this far, but when the whistle blows, it's just a normal game like any other. We know that they know a little bit about us, but we come out thinking they are better than us, and we play like that."
 
In their first game of the tournament, they faced Shattuck-St. Mary's (MN). Shattuck started out with two goals early in the game, but there was still time for Andromeda to make their presence known after Shattuck's second goal in the 47th minute by Samuel Asante.
 
Zachary Funk started the Andromeda come back with a goal in the 53rd minute. Down 2:1, Andromeda stayed in the game with strong defensive and offensive measures, but relief didn't come until the 92nd minute.  
 
"I knew that we needed it and I set up at the box when the corner kick was put in and I had a feeling it was coming to me. When it came my way, I just drove through it. I was sitting on the bench before I came in thinking, 'I want to be the hero and save us.' So, it was exciting to make the goal," said Eric Frazier who scored the game-tying goal. "This year it's a little bit different. I think the pressure is on because we're the defending champs and we have that target on our back and everybody wants to come out and beat us."
 
The second defending champion, Under-15 Boys Baltimore Casa Mia Bays (MD), not only won the US Youth Soccer Region I Championships but also qualified for nationals by placing as the top team from the inaugural US Youth Soccer National League. The new league sends two teams to nationals in the Under-15 and Under-16 age groups. Today they went up against the Boston Blast (MA) in a repeat of the 2008 US Youth Soccer Region I Championships and again came out on top (5:0). For the Bays, experience has proven itself.
 
The two defending girls champions weren't as successful in their first day result. The Under-19 Girls Force Football Club (MI) faced off against the Slammers FC (CA-S) in a repeat of last year's national championship final. The Slammers were determined to make up for last year's loss and won today 3:2.
 
It was déjà vu for the Under-16 Girls So Cal Blues (CA-S) as they also relived their 2007 national championship final against the PDA Fire (NJ). The target on So Cal Blues was visible as Mary Gibson Wagner scored early (9:00) to put PDA on the board and the defense held with the keeper making eight saves.
 
Play resumes tonight at 7 p.m. Updated game results, stories and video are available throughout the day at http://Championships.USYouthSoccer.org. Teams are seeking a positive result through the round robin play which concludes on Friday. Teams are awarded three points for a win, one point for a tie and zero points for a loss. The top two teams will advance to play for the national championship over the weekend.
 
On Saturday, August 9, The US Youth Soccer National Championships Highlight Show, presented by adidas, will air on the Fox Soccer Channel, US Youth Soccer's official television partner, at 1 p.m. ET. The two-hour show will highlight the national championships providing feature stories, interviews, game highlights and much, much more.
 
2008 US Youth Soccer National Championships
Day 1 Morning Session Results - Preliminary Matches
Gender
Division
Visitor
Score
Home
Score
B
U14
Grand Rapids Crew Juniors
1
NJSA 04 Gunners
2
Goal scorers: GRC - Sean Conerty (60:00), NJS - Mael Corboz (48:00), NJS - Markhus Lacroix (8:00)
B
U14
SCSA 93 Gold
0
Arsenal FC
1
Goal scorers: ARS - Cameron Souri (33:00)
G
U14
FC Stars of Massachusetts
4
Toro Bravo
1
Goal scorers: TOR - Ava Ambrose (55:00), FCS - Hayley Dowd (38:00), FCS - corey persson (8:00), FCS - Rebecca Litwin (15:00), FCS - Hayley Dowd (14:00)
G
U14
San Juan Spirits 94 Blue
2
D'Feeters 94
0
Goal scorers: SAN - Alyssa Jara (44:00), SAN - Haley Washburn (67:00)
B
U15
Baltimore Casa Mia Bays 93
5
Boston Blast
0
Goal scorers: BAL - Logan McHugh (80:00), BAL - Julian Griggs (76:00), BAL - Julian Griggs (67:00), BAL - Jonathan Guzman (65:00) , BAL - Julian Griggs (14:00)
B
U15
Dallas Texans 93 Red Dallas
2
Chicago Fire Juniors
2
Goal scorers: DTX - Darin Kruzich (73:00), CHI - Jonathan Beavis (50:00), DTX - Eduardo Aranda (18:00), CHI - Jacob Brindle (2:00)
B
U15
Solar Red
5
Valley United Blast Red
2
Goal scorers: VAL - Jonathan Simon (77:00), SOL - Collin Tuohy (66:00), SOL - Matthey Leach (60:00), SOL - Rocco Bagley (56:00), SOL - Collin Tuohy (55:00), SOL - Alfred Karoma (45:00), VAL - Enrique Ruiz (34:00)
G
U15
Dallas Texans 93 Red Dallas
1
Slammers FC
1
Goal scorers: DTX - Clarissa Wedemeyer (71:00), SLA - Jordan O'Brien (41:00)
G
U15
KCFC Intensity
0
Lonestars 93 Red
1
Goal scorers: LST - Allison Smith (19:00)
G
U15
So Cal Blues-Dodge
2
Scorpions Elite
1
Goal scorers: SCO - Chelsea Landon (79:00), SOC - Amanda Dudley (40:00), SOC - Emily Goldstein (19:00)
B
U16
Dallas Texans 92 Red
5
Lower Merion Velez
1
Goal scorers: LMV - Kevin Israel (80:00), DTX - Conor Doyle (55:00), DTX - Kingsley Bryce (46:00), DTX - Brett Helm (35:00), DTX - Zachery Barnes (6:00), DTX - Gino De Paoli (4:00)
B
U16
Javanon SC 92
2
Real So Cal Blue
4
Goal scorers: REA - Victor Chavez (80:00) Second goal of the match, REA - Victor Chavez (71:00), REA - Manuel Cazares (53:00), REA - Alberto Rosas (44:00), JAV - John 'Jack' Goblirsch (36:00), JAV - Tyler Riggs (23:00)
B
U16
YMS Xplosion
1
91 Triangle United Gold
2
Goal scorers: TRI - Zabarle Kollie (68:00), YMS - James Ockford (18:00), TRI - McAmos Paye (4:00)
G
U16
Dallas Texans Red 92
1
Vardar
0
Goal scorers: DTX - Courtney Smith (47:00)
G
U16
Eclipse Select 91-92
2
Sting Dallas Royal 92
2
Goal scorers: STN - Emily Reid (58:00), ECL - Maggie Murnane (33:00), ECL - Katie Uyenishi (23:00), STN - Emily Reid (18:00)
G
U16
So Cal Blues Bobak
0
PDA Fire
1
Goal scorers: PDA - Mary Gibson Wagner (9:00)
B
U18
McLean MPS FC
2
Cisco Toros
3
Goal scorers: MCL - William Ruppe (90:00), TOR - Temistocles Molinar (90:00), MCL - Andrew Riemer (75:00), TOR - Antonio Valera (30:00), TOR - Nicholas Deleon (17:00)
B
U18
Shattuck-St. Mary's
2
Andromeda 90
2
Goal scorers: AND - Eric Frazier (90:00) Game tying goal in stoppage time, AND - Zachary Funk (53:00), SHA - Samuel Asante (47:00), SHA - Joseph Tennyson (42:00)
G
U18
FC Delco Fury II
0
Colorado Rush Nike
2
Goal scorers: COL - Katie Martinez (52:00), COL - Emmalie Pfankuch (42:00)
G
U18
Sting Dallas 90
2
Eclipse Select 89-90
1
Goal scorers: STN - Melissa Henderson (93:00), STN - Lucy Keith (73:00), ECL - Jessica Price (62:00)
B
U19
Colorado Rush Nike
3
Solar 89
4
Goal scorers: COR - John (Jeb) Brovsky (90:00), SOL - Zachary Nulisch (88:00), COR - Jaren LaGreca (87:00), SOL - Christopher Taylor (80:00), COR - John (Jeb) Brovsky (75:00), SOL - Cameron Brown (20:00), SOL - Cameron Brown (14:00)
B
U19
Freestate United
2
KC Wizards Juniors
3
Goal scorers: KCW - William Koss (84:00), KCW - Giovanni Edward (74:00), FRE - Mostafa Ebrahimnejad (65:00), FRE - Nirav Kadam (29:00), KCW - Coleton Henning (18:00)
G
U19
Challenge 89
1
FC Pennsylvania Strikers 88/89
1
Goal scorers: CHA - Jessica Rathweg (53:00), PEN - Julie Edwards (27:00)
G
U19
Force Football Club
2
Slammers FC
3
Goal scorers: SLA - Alyssa Davilia (90:00) Game winning goal in stoppage time, SLA - Tanya Emerson (45:00) In stoppage time, FOR - Laura Heyboer (42:00), SLA - Jackie Zinke (34:00), FOR - Jackie Carron (27:00)
 
For complete statistic, please go to http://championships.usyouthsoccer.org.
 
The 2008 US Youth Soccer National Championship Series is the country's most prestigious national youth soccer tournament, providing over 185,000 players on more than 10,000 teams from US Youth Soccer's 55 state associations the opportunity to showcase their soccer skills against the best competition in the nation while emphasizing teamwork, discipline and fair play.
 
The US Youth Soccer National Championships cap a yearlong series of competitions for boys and girls teams in multiple age groups as teams earn their way from the top team in their state to the regional championship tournaments. State Cup champions and selected wildcard teams in most age groups are eligible to compete in one of four US Youth Soccer Regional Championships. The champions in the under-14 through under-19 age group from each regional event converge to enjoy the nation's top competition.
 
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.
 
Annually 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. In 2008, over 600 coaches attended the US Youth Soccer Regional Championships including the majority of the top 25 men's and women's programs based on the final 2008 NSCAA/adidas National Rankings for NCAA Division I schools.
 
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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.

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. 

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