FRISCO, TEXAS (July 16, 2007) – US Youth Soccer is proud to announce the first teams chosen for the US Youth Soccer National League, the organization’s latest offering for elite club soccer players seeking to advance their college, professional and U.S. National Team aspirations. Among those chosen is the Syracuse FC Fury U16 Girls team.

Boys and Girls play slated to begin this Fall

League to provide greater opportunities for elite club players and direct entry into US Youth Soccer National Championships

FRISCO, TEXAS (July 16, 2007) – US Youth Soccer is proud to announce the first teams chosen for the US Youth Soccer National League, the organization’s latest offering for elite club soccer players seeking to advance their college, professional and U.S. National Team aspirations.   

For elite-level teams, the US Youth Soccer National League is a natural extension of the current system of leagues within the four regions of US Youth Soccer.  Top teams from each of the four US Youth Soccer Regional Leagues earn their way into the National League. 

The new league will create a direct path to the annual US Youth Soccer National Championships.  The National Championships, established in 1976, is the culmination of the US Youth Soccer National Championship Series where the nation’s champions are crowned in six age groups for boys and girls.

US Youth Soccer National League Teams

Girls Under-15
Region	Team	State
I	LDC United	E-PA
I	PDA Tsunami	NJ
II	Eclipse Select 92-93	IL
II	KCFC Alliance Intensity	KS
III	Sting Dallas Royal 93	N-TX
III	Dallas Texans 93 Red-Dallas	N-TX
IV	So Cal Blues - Dodge	CA-S
IV	Slammers FC	CA-S
Girls Under-16
Region	Team	State
I	PDA Fire	NJ
I	Syracuse FC Fury	NY-W
II	Eclipse Select 91-92	IL
II	ELA Elite	IL
III	Dallas Texans Red 92	N-TX
III	Hurricane FC 92 Shubert	OK
IV	So Cal Blues- Bobak	CA-S
IV	Slammers FC	CA-S
Boys Under-15
Region	Team	State
I	Baltimore Casa Mia Bays 93	MD
I	Pasco Stallions	NJ
II	Vardar Elite	MI
II	Michigan Wolves	MI
III	92 CASL Elite	NC
III	Solar Red	N-TX
IV	West Coast FC	CA-S
IV	San Diego Surf	CA-S
Boys Under-16
Region	Team	State
I	Bethesda Roadrunners	MD
I	Manhattan Phoenix	E-NY
II	Chicago Wind Nationals	IL
II	PSA Super Eagles	MN
III	Dallas Texans 92 Red-Dallas	N-TX
III	Texans FC 91/92	S-TX
IV	FC Barcelona	CA-S
IV	Slammers FC	CA-S

Paul Luchowski, US Youth Soccer National League Commissioner believes the quality of teams applying to be second to none.  “US Youth Soccer has long stood as the leader in youth soccer and in the organization of events that allow the country’s youth to showcase their talents in an environment that is designed for the players.  The addition of the National League provides a truly national opportunity for players to develop and test themselves in meaningful competition.”

As is the case with the US Youth Soccer National Championship Series events and the US Youth Soccer Olympic Development Program, the National League creates another significant opportunity for the nation’s collegiate, professional and national team staffs to see players in an environment of meaningful play.    

The top four finishers in National League play in each age group will retain their slots in the league for the 2008-09 season provided that the teams meet all eligibility requirements.

US Youth Soccer National League | Overview
Competition will be held for the nation’s top teams in the Under-15 and Under-16 age groups, boys and girls. Each gender age group will have eight teams.  The league will offer additional exposure to collegiate, professional and U.S. National Team coaches and offer top notch competition.  National League teams will continue play in their respective US Youth Soccer State Championships and Regional Leagues.    
Teams: The top boys and girls youth soccer clubs
Age Groups: U-15 and U-16 teams; providing opportunities for more than 2,000 players
Competition Format:  Each team will play a seven-game schedule, one head-to-head game in each age group.  The schedule for 2007 will be announced shortly.  The top two teams, from each age group, advance to the US Youth Soccer National Championships. 
Future Expansion:  The Under-17 age group, boys and girls, will be added for the 2008-09 season year. The number of teams selected to participate in 2008-09 has yet to be determined. An increase in the number of teams in each gender age group is subject to the approval of the US Youth Soccer Board of Directors