NORTH LITTLE ROCK, Arkansas (July 24, 2008)  The US Youth Soccer National Championships continued early Thursday with the second day of preliminary round play at Burns Park Soccer Complex. It was a must-win situation for many of the teams looking to advance to this weekend's finals. Teams earn three points for a win and one point for a tie. The two top teams at the conclusion of tomorrow's round robin play will meet over the weekend in the national championship finals.

Recruiting for the women's U.S. National Teams, David Rubinson knows the national championships offer a deep pool of talent.  "The best teams in the country are here and we don't want to miss any players. We are looking for the best players in the country and the best players more than likely come from the best teams, but not every time. This is as good as it gets in United States youth soccer, so that is why I made the trek up here," Rubinson said. "Here it is about the results. That is the one thing I would say is really different about being here. It is definitely about the results, because every goal and every mistake gets magnified, every goal gets glorified. It is what is at stake for them. If you win, people are going to assume you have a secret. The teams recruit just like college coaches. If you look around there are a lot of college coaches here."

Coming off a 3:2 victory over the defending national champions, Slammers FC (CA-S) Under-19 Girls continued their momentum today. The Slammers started out ahead of Challenge 89 (S-TX) with a 26^th minute shot past the keeper. Christen Press upped the Slammers lead to 3:0 with back-to-back goals in the 45^th and 46^th minutes. Challenge fought back to score a goal of their own but the Slammers closed the door for the 3:1 win.   

In the Under-16 Boys, it looked like Triangle United Gold (NC) had met their match with Lower Merion Velez from Eastern Pennsylvania. With the combination of a well-organized defense and a quick goal to start the game, Lower Merion held control over Triangle United, who hasn't lost a match in the US Youth Soccer National Championship Series this year, through the first half.  Triangle re-grouped after the half and German Mendoza scored the equalizer in the 50^th minute.  Eight minutes later, Triangle took the 2:1 lead and held to continue their undefeated streak since the beginning of state cup. 

"We struggled a little to get into our rhythm today," said Triangle coach Elmar Bolowich, who is also the head coach for the University of North Carolina men's program.  During the semifinals and finals of regional championships, Triangle rallied in the second for a come-back win and today was no different. "We have a blend of players from all over the world and there is continuous growth." Tomorrow Triangle goes up against the Dallas Texans 92 Red for the chance to advance to Sunday's final.

Both coming off day one losses, Under-16 Boys Javanon SC (KY) and YMS Xplosion (E-PA) were each looking for a win. YMS tallied early in the 18^th minute thanks to a shot by Jacob Fields.  Neither team was able to capitalize on scoring opportunities throughout the remainder of regulation. 

The Under-14 Girls showcased the level of competition at the national championships both offensive and defensive.  Both games this morning finished with scoreless ties. 

Scoring wasn't a problem for Valley United Blast Red (CA-S) who took on the regional representative from the opposite coast, Boston Blast (MA).  Felix De Bona put Boston on the board in the 11^th minute.  Josh Lerner knotted things in the 14^th for the Red.  After Lerner's goal, the west coast side would score six unanswered goals.  In the end it was Valley United with the 8:2 win and three more points in the standings.  The Under-15 Boys Group A will be determined tomorrow as either Solar Red or Valley United will advance to face Baltimore Casa Mia Bays in the national final after the Bays successfully secured their place with the 2:0 win over Dallas Texans 93 Red Dallas today.

Two returning teams from the 2007 national championships collided today as the Dallas Texans Red 92 met PDA Fire (NJ) in the Under-15 Girls.  Dallas and PDA would pepper their opponent's keeper with six and seven shots respectively however both team's last means of defense would hold for the scoreless tie.

The Under-17 Boys and Girls divisions continue at 7:00 p.m. tonight. Updated game results are available throughout the day at http://Championships.USYouthSoccer.org.

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.

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.

US Youth Soccer National Championships
Day 2 Morning Session Results - Preliminary Matches

B U14     
Grand Rapids Crew Juniors vs. Arsenal FC, 0:0

B U14     
SCSA 93 Gold vs. NJSA 04 Gunners, 0:2
Goal Scorers:          NJS - Markhus Lacroix (70:00), NJS - Devin Fuller (36:00)

G U14
San Juan Spirits 94 Blue vs. FC Stars of Massachusetts, 0:0

G U14
Toro Bravo vs. D'Feeters 94, 0:0

B U15
Boston Blast vs. Valley United Blast Red, 2:8
Goal Scorers:          VAL - Erick Esquivel (68:00), BOS - Chelinde Edouard (63:00), VAL - Andrew Tusaazemaja (60:00), VAL - Andrew Tusaazemaja (55:00), VAL - Jonathan Simon (38:00), VAL - Josh Lerner (21:00), VAL - Uriel Rodriguez (19:00), VAL - Armando (Chivas) Gaitan (17:00), VAL - Josh Lerner (14:00), BOS - Felix De Bona (11:00)

B U15
Dallas Texans 93 Red Dallas vs. Baltimore Casa Mia Bays 93, 0:2
Goal Scorers:          BAL - Julian Griggs (45:00), BAL - Mamadou Kansaye (18:00) Penalty Kick

B U15
Solar Red vs. Chicago Fire Juniors, 0:1
Goal Scorers:          CHI - Keegan Balle (12:00)

G U15
Dallas Texans 93 Red Dallas vs. Lonestars 93 Red, 2:2
Goal Scorers:          DTX - Clarissa Wedemeyer (77:00), DTX - Taylor Grant (56:00) , LST - Aubree Brown (44:00), LST - Olivia Drapes (21:00)

G U15
KCFC Intensity vs. So Cal Blues-Dodge, 0:4
Goal Scorers:          SOC - Haley Rosen (68:00), SOC - Gabriella Garcia (47:00), SOC - Natalie Werner (43:00), SOC - Kaylie Davidson (10:00)

G U15
Scorpions Elite vs. Slammers FC, 0:3
Goal Scorers:          SLA - Tessa Andujar (38:00), SLA - Emily Dillon (27:00), SLA - Emily Dillon (8:00

B U16
91 Triangle United Gold vs. Lower Merion Velez, 2:1
Goal Scorers:          TRI - Sebastian Garner (58:00); TRI - German Mendoza (50:00), LMV - Milton Rico (9:00)

B U16
Dallas Texans 92 Red vs. Real So Cal Blue,           1:0
Goal Scorers:          DTX - Zachery Barnes (55:00)

B U16
Javanon SC 92 vs. YMS Xplosion, 0:1
Goal Scorers:          YMS - Jacob Fields (18:00)

G U16
Dallas Texans Red 92 vs. PDA Fire, 0:0

G U16
Sting Dallas Royal 92 vs. Vardar, 0:1
Goal Scorers:          VAR - Kayla Mannino (33:00)

B U18
Andromeda 90 vs. Cisco Toros, 4:0
Goal Scorers:          AND - Eric Frazier (72:00), AND - Taylor Cluff (40:00), AND - Jochen Graf (16:00), AND - Zachary Funk (15:00)

B U18
McLean MPS FC vs. Shattuck-St. Mary's, 1:2
Goal Scorers:          SHA - Kevin Acevedo (90:00+) Game winning goal, MCL - Andrew Riemer (90:00+), SHA - Samuel Asante (87:00)       

G U18
Eclipse Select 89-90 vs. Colorado Rush Nike, 4:4
Goal Scorers:          ECL - Lauren Mathy (90:00), COL - Danielle Foxhoven (89:00), COL - Danielle Foxhoven (65:00), COL - Danielle Foxhoven (30:00), ECL - Candace Ruff (18:00), ECL - Jessica Price (12:00), ECL - Julie Ewing (8:00), COL - Emmalie Pfankuch (5:00)

G U18
FC Delco Fury II vs.Sting Dallas 90, 0:2
Goal Scorers:          STG - Dana O'Brien (1:00), STG - Leigh Gray (90:00+)

B U19
Colorado Rush Nike vs. KC Wizards Juniors, 1:3
Goal Scorers:          KCW - Chase McCoy (90:00), KCW - Curt McDonald (78:00), COR - Benjamin Medina (45:00), KCW - Giovanni Edward (12:00)

B U19
Solar 89 vs. Freestate United, 4:0
Goal Scorers:          SOL - Scott Wisniewski (73:00), SOL - Hunter Jumper (63:00), SOL - Alex Chi (46:00), SOL - Alex Chi (31:00)

G U19
FC Pennsylvania Strikers 88/89 vs. Force Football Club, 0:3
Goal Scorers:          FOR - Laura Heyboer (90:00) Completes the hat trick, FOR - Laura Heyboer (64:00), FOR - Laura Heyboer (47:00)

G U19
Slammers FC vs. Challenge 89, 3:1
Goal Scorers:          CHA - Apryl Goodwin (80:00), SLA - Christen Press (46:00), SLA - Christen Press (45:00), SLA - Alyssa Davilia (26:00)

For complete statistics 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. 

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.