Javanon vs Lower Merion

Lower Merion scored early on in the second minute to take an early meeting. Will Vitalis equalized in the 26th minute to tie the game at 1-1.

The game just went to halftime. Hopefully the boys can come through in the second half to get their first win.

Brycen Howard puts Javanon ahead in the 71st minute. Weather is overcast today, and most likely the coolest day of the tournament. That saying a bunch since the current temperature is 95.

The game just went final. Javanon 2, Lower Merion 1. Reports say an outstanding effort was made today by Johnny Cantrell, who stepped between the pipes today in place of Taylor Hafling's, who was red carded yesterday.

Well done guys, you represented Kentucky well.

National Championships

Even though Javanon has not fared too well so far, just getting to the National Championships is a great feet. To get a full recap of the yesterday's mornings play, go here. To get more info on the evening matches, go here. Of course, if you visit this site, there is tons of information, videos, blogs, etc.

2nd Day in Little Rock

Javanon drew the early time slot this morning, but didn't get off to the start they had hoped for. YMS Xplosion from Eastern Pennsylvania got on the board early with a goal in the 18th minute. Still plenty of time left.

Report from Little Rock is the YMS scored on an own goal.

Game is at halftime and compared to yesterday, the weather is much cooler. YMS Explosion 1, Javanon 0. 40 minutes to go.

No goals in the second half, so Javanon loses 1-0. Unfortunately, more bad news, Taylor Hafling received a red card in the final minutes, so he will miss tommorrow's game.

Tommorrow's game is at 11:30 am against Lower Merion from Eastern Penn. Hopefully they can go out on a high note.

First Round of Play Complete

Scores, stats, video and more at official web site http://championships.usyouthsoccer.org

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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 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.

For complete statistic, please go to http://championships.usyouthsoccer.org.

Javanon vs Real So Cal

We will provide scoring udpates as we get them from Little Rock.

Javanon goes up 1-0 in the 24th minute. Goal by Tyler Riggs.

Javnon scores another in the 35th minute. Goal by Goblirsch.

Game is at halftime with Javanon up 2-0. Report from Little Rock is the weather is hot and humid.

Real So Cal scored in the 43 minute. Javanon still leads 2-1.

Real So Cal equalizes in the 54 minute. Game now tied at 2-2.

Real So Cal scores two quick ones and now leads 4-2 with just minutes remaining in the game.

Game just went final. Real So Cal 4, Javanon 2. The reports is that the weather was a big impact in the second half. Javanon will look to rebound tommorrow morning at 7:30.

Player Luncheon Kicks Off 2008 US Youth Soccer National Championships

The 2008 US Youth Soccer National Championships officially began today with the 56 teams competing for national crowns, in Under-14 through Under-19 age categories, gathering for the Player Luncheon held at the Statehouse Convention Center in Little Rock, Arkansas.

Over 1,200 players, coaches, referees, officials and administrators shared the afternoon honoring each other's accomplishments and commitment to soccer.

US Youth Soccer President Larry Monaco said, ""There were over 10,000 teams that began the journey in the US Youth Soccer National Championship Series and today we have the final 56 here representing the best teams in the country. We are looking forward to a great championship and crowning the national champions.""

""It is impossible to overstate the value of a tournament like this to our community. For one, the economic impact and two, in terms of its marketing impact," said Daniel O'Byrne, CEO of the Little Rock Convention and Visitors Bureau. ""There are players and families from all of the country. We are really honored by their presence and the commitment they put in. We hope to reflect well on the values they bring to our community; we are going to be better off for their being here this week.""

The highlight of the afternoon for the players was the 2008 US Youth Soccer Regional Championship final highlight video. As the intro music began the players began clapping and bobbing their heads to the sights and sounds. Seeing their past successes during the second leg of the Series spurs them forward to beat the heat and humidity and emerge as the national champions this coming weekend.

Another highlight of the week is U.S. National Team standout Brian Ching. Ching will be at the Fox Soccer Channel booth at Burns Park Soccer Complex tomorrow from noon until 1 p.m. signing autographs. Ching plays for the Houston Dynamos, who are two-time MLS Cup champions.

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 Championship trophies were paraded into the banquet hall by honored referees. The players were able to take pictures in front of the displayed trophies during the luncheon, but only a select 12 teams will be able to raise their trophy in victory after this weekend's finals. These 12 trophies hold a rich history of great soccer and will again be on display for the championship finals over the weekend.

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.

On Saturday, August 9 at 1 p.m. Eastern, 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. The show will highlight the national championships providing feature stories, interviews, game highlights and more.

For more information please visit http://Championship.USYouthSoccer.org.

National Championships

The National Championships are finally here, and from everything that I've read and heard, the boys are ready to go. We are going to do our best to keep everyone updated on the coming and goings in Little Rock. The early reports in the weather is downright miserable, but its not like it exaclty been cold here in Kentucky. Check out the long range forecst here.

For an inside look from the official team blog, you can go here. Between the two of us, you should get a good picture of what going on in Little Rock.

To get the whole lowdown on the their upcoming game schedule, US Youth Soccer's got it taken care of.

Olympic Team

This afternoon, the United States announced its Olympic Squad. Check it out.

GOALKEEPERS: Brad Guzan (Aston Villa), Chris Seitz (RSL).

DEFENDERS: Michael Parkhurst (New England), Patrick Ianni (Houston), Marvell Wynne (Toronto), Michael Orozco (San Luis), Nathan Sturgis (RSL).

MIDFIELDERS: Maurice Edu (Toronto), Stuart Holden (Houston), Freddy Adu (Benfica), Sacha Kljestan (Chivas USA), Michael Bradley (Heerenveen), Danny Szetela (Brescia), Benny Feilhaber (Derby).

FORWARDS: Brian McBride (No Contract), Charlie Davies (Hammarby), Jozy Altidore (Villarreal), Robbie Rogers (Columbus).

Women's Professional Soccer

It seems like the return of professional womens soccer is on its way. See press release below with more information on the announcement of rosters.

SAN FRANCISCO (July 8, 2008) –Women’s Professional Soccer (WPS) announced today the details of its player selection process leading into the kickoff of its inaugural season in April 2009. WPS teams will build their rosters through an allocation of U.S. Women’s National Team stars, a draft of international players, combines, additional League drafts and local team tryouts.

WPS will begin securing domestic talent with the post-Olympics allocation of the U.S. Women’s National Team (WNT) and U.S. WNT Player Pool in mid-September, to be immediately followed with a draft of the top international players. In October, WPS will conduct a general draft for both domestic and international players, followed by east and west coast combines in December and a post-combine draft in January. WPS Teams for the inaugural 2009 season – Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles, New Jersey/New York, St. Louis, and Washington D.C. – will then complete their rosters via local tryouts.

“The player allocation and draft process has been the top priority for the League office and Team owners since first announcing the League’s formation last September,” said Tonya Antonucci, WPS Commissioner. “WPS will be the ultimate showcase for the world’s best female soccer talent and, for those athletes competing in the Beijing Olympics, the next stage in their careers. As a North American league, our first priority is the U.S. Women’s National Team players, whose skills will be complemented by the world’s top players, as well as the domestic players who have the talent and dedication required of professional athletes.”

“This is an exciting time for the National Team players as the Olympics are right around the corner and then a few weeks after we come home from Beijing we’ll be allocated to WPS teams,” said U.S. National Team star Abby Wambach. “I’m eager to learn which team I’ll be playing for and to connect with the fans in that market.”
“From a team roster perspective, we are being very thorough in the player scouting and draft process,” said Jeff Cooper, chairman of the St. Louis WPS franchise. “The end-goal is to create a cohesive team ripe with talent and personality, and poised to win, of course.”

On a local level, teams are already rallying community support around their soon-to-be players, thanks to a Marketing Services Agreement (MSA) with the U.S. Women’s National Team Players Association (USWNTPA). The MSA allows members of the U.S. WNT / U.S. WNT Player Pool to appear at community events and media functions, as well as participate in photo and video shoots on behalf of the League and teams now through next February. The power of this agreement was on display last month in Portland, Maine, when U.S. WNT forward Abby Wambach was the guest of WPS at the U.S. Youth Soccer Region I Championships Opening Ceremony. There she reminded the tournament’s more than 5,000 participants that anything – including playing professional soccer – is possible with determination and hard work. Multiple WPS-related appearances – including charity/community events, media functions, and promotional clinics – by members of the U.S. WNT are slated for later this year and early next and will be announced by the League and individual teams as details are confirmed.

“All of the WPS markets have a rich soccer tradition, and WPS will be unique because our players will be some of the most fan-accessible professional athletes in the country,” said Thomas Hofstetter, CEO of Sky Blue Soccer (New Jersey/New York WPS). “That’s important to our fans, who will be cheering the players from the stands and avidly following them off the field, as well.”