First Round of Play Complete

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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.