Germantown, Md., Will Host 2014 US Youth Soccer National Championships

US Youth Soccer is proud to announce the dates and locations for the Regional and National Championships of the 2014 US Youth Soccer National Championship Series, the country's oldest and most prestigious national youth soccer tournament. After another banner year in 2013, the 2014 US Youth Soccer National Championships will be held at the Maryland SoccerPlex in Germantown, Md.

"We are excited to be back at the Maryland SoccerPlex for the 2014 US Youth Soccer National Championships and look forward to working with the Maryland State Youth Soccer Association and the complex staff," said John Sutter, President of US Youth Soccer. “Each year, more than 10,000 teams play in our National Championship Series as teams test their development and skill; earning their way from state to regional events, with the ultimate goal of earning a ticket to the US Youth Soccer National Championships. Germantown was an outstanding host in 2002 and 2003, and I’m sure 2014 will be even better."

The US Youth Soccer National Championships will consist of US Youth Soccer Regional Champions in the Under-13 through Under-19 Boys and Girls age groups as well as the US Youth Soccer National League qualifiers in the Under-14 through Under-18 Boys and Girls age groups to complete the field of 96 teams. This year marks the addition of four US Youth Soccer National League qualifiers in each gender division of the Under-14 age group.

Each year brings about new challenges and highlights the motivation and commitment of these youth as they continue pursuing their dreams of being one of the best youth soccer teams in the United States. The National Championships are the final stage of the US Youth Soccer National Championship Series and open to any US Youth Soccer member. The U.S. Soccer Federation initiated the open youth championships with the James P. McGuire Cup, the oldest trophy in youth sport, (Under-19 Boys) in 1935 and the tradition continues.

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 2013, more than 700 coaches attended the US Youth Soccer Regional and National Championships.

2014 US Youth Soccer Region I Championships | Kingston, RI
University of Rhode Island
Opening Ceremony: June 26
Round Robin: June 27-29
Semis: June 30
Finals: July 1

2014 US Youth Soccer Region II Championships | Dayton, OH
John Ankeney Soccer Complex
Registration: June 20
Round Robin: June 21-23
Semis: June 24
Finals: June 25

2014 US Youth Soccer Region III Championships | Baton Rouge, LA
BREC Burbank-Soccer Complex
Opening Ceremony: June 19
Round Robin: June 20- 22
Quarters: June 23 (U14, U15, U16)
Semis/Quarters: June 24 (Semifinals U13 & U19/ Quarters U17 & U18)
Finals/Semis: June 25 (Finals U13 & U19/ Semis U14-U18)
Finals: June 26 (Finals U14-U18)

2014 US Youth Soccer Region IV Championships | Albuquerque, NM
State Farm Soccer Complex
Round Robin: June 16-18
Quarters: June 20
Semis: June 21
Finals: June 22

2014 US Youth Soccer National Championships | Germantown, MD
Maryland SoccerPlex
Player Luncheon: July 21
Round Robin: July 22-25
Finals: July 26-27

For more information on the US Youth Soccer National Championships, visit http://championships.usyouthsoccer.org, the online home for the US Youth Soccer National Championship Series, providing the latest in news, information and more.

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 US Youth Soccer Regional Championships. Champions (U-13 through U-19) from each regional event advance to the US Youth Soccer National Championships. The Under-14 through Under-18 Boys and Girls age groups have four teams representing the US Youth Soccer National League, in which the top two teams in each gender age group division earn a direct path to the National Championships. 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. For more information, visit http://championships.usyouthsoccer.org.

About the United States Youth Soccer Association (US Youth Soccer) – 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 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.