November is the Season of Soccer at Foley

For many, November is a month to give thanks or enjoy turkey and pumpkin spice. At Foley Sports Tourism (FST), November is about soccer. The month kicks off with the Alabama Soccer Association’s (ASA) State Cup (Nov. 1-2); the Sun Belt Conference Women’s Soccer Championship (Nov. 6, 8, 10); and wraps up with the Coastal Academy Cup (Nov. 23-24).

ASA State Cup

Alabama Soccer Association (ASA) has hosted the State Cup for 45 years, and 2019 will make the fourth time they’ve brought Division I and Division II portions of the tournament to Foley. ASA State Administrator, Lynn Bertovic, said the event anticipates to draw approximately 120 teams, both boys and girls, in ages ranging from 14 – 19.

Teams qualify through State League play and hope to win their way to the next round of Regional Championships with US Youth Soccer. The competition is fierce with so much on the line, however, the players don’t shy away from the challenge. Bertovic said the State Cup continues growing year to year because soccer is being played throughout the state.

“It continues to grow as soccer becomes more mainstream in our schools and parks across Alabama,” Bertovic said.  “We hope with the increase in publication and access to gameson television and across the world [especially with the US Soccer Women’s Team winning the World Cup for the fourth time] the numbers in youth soccer will continue to grow.”

Sun Belt Conference Women’s Soccer Championship

Much like the ASA State Cup, the Sun Belt Conference Women’s Soccer Championship is no stranger to FST, as the 2019 Championship marks the fourth consecutive year at the FST complex.

Each year brings something new and interesting to the competition, including last year, when the University of Arkansas Little Rock snapped the University of South Alabama’s five-year win streak. The Jaguars will look to reclaim their title in 2019, as the team currently sits atop the conference standings, having already secured their spot in Foley.

Sun Belt Assistant Commissioner of Championships & Corporate Sales, Spencer Dodd, explained that everyone is excited to return to FST.

“Foley is a great location for our student-athletes, coaches, and fans to come and enjoy great attractions, and an outstanding championship facility,” Dodd said.

Those fans who can’t enjoy Foley and the event’s free admission firsthand can still keep up with all the competition. All matches will be streamed live on ESPN+.

Coastal Academy Cup

The excitement doesn’t stop there, as November closes with the return of the Coastal Academy Cup, November 23 – 24.

Snap Soccer’s Zack Touchstone expects 150 club soccer teams to participate with a mix of both boys and girls in age divisions ranging from U8 to U15.

“This is the fifth year we’ve held the Coastal Academy Cup,” Touchstone said. “It’s grown every year and we are nearing max capacity.”

The Season is For Soccer

Foley Sports Tourism hosts a variety of sports throughout the year, but November continues to be a soccer-filled month bringing thousands of visitors to the city explained David Thompson, Foley Director of Recreation and Sports Tourism.

“We love to host a range of different events, and we are always looking to bring new things to Foley,” said Thompson. “But the return of our soccer events in November is something we look forward to each year. Some people celebrate the season with turkey, we celebrate with the ASA State Cup, the Sun Belt Conference Women’s Soccer Championship and the Coastal Academy Cup.”

For more information on these competitions or any FST event, contact Stephanie Donald.