April 30, 2008

Regional Soccer Tournament a Showcase for Bowling Green

Players from 13 States Coming in June

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – The United States Adult Soccer Association (USASA) is holding its National Cup Tournament for Region II in Bowling Green on June 27-29, 2008. Tournament play will be at the Lovers Lane Soccer Complex, and teams from 13 states will be competing for a chance to advance to the National Cup Finals later this year.

Between 55 and 65 teams are expected to make the trip to Bowling Green, including just a few from Kentucky. Region II National Cup Commissioner Debra Trapikas said it is difficult to estimate the number of participants in this year’s competition because this is the first time the Regional Cup is taking place in Kentucky. Bowling Green was primarily selected due to the climate and easy access to fields, Trapikas said.

There are eight divisions of competition offered; Men and Women Open Cup, Men and Women Amateur Cup, Men and Women Over 30 Cup and Men and Women Under 23 Cup. Regions II and I are also including a Men and Women Under 20 Cup this year. In addition, those teams who enter into the Men's Open Cup competition are also entering the USSF Lamar Hunt Open Cup, allowing the adult men teams the possibility of playing the Major League Soccer (MLS) teams for the championship title.

“Youth and adult soccer are extremely popular in Bowling Green, and the Region II National Cup will bring awareness to the community and the state about the opportunities for players within the USASA,” Bowling Green Area Convention & Visitors Bureau Sports Marketing Director Amy Cardwell said. “We strive to host events such as this so that players and coaches are exposed to Bowling Green’s great facilities and local support.”

The National Cups program is the oldest and most prestigious adult competition offered to all affiliated teams of the USASA. It is also open to any youth soccer team whose players register with the United States Soccer Federation (USSF). The USASA is the only member organization qualified to be in the USSF Adult Council because it offers programs in at least 26 states and its members exceed 200,000.

The USASA now has over 350,000 members across America and offers its players numerous benefits including centralized communication regarding events across the U.S., consistency in playing rules, liability and medical insurance and insuring all players are registered and not under suspension for violent conduct. In addition, members are able to participate in sanctioned tournaments both in and out of state and are eligible for the National Cups program. Region II also has a grant program available to any affiliate in the region.

The 2008 National Cup Finals, where the regional winners in all divisions compete for the national championship title, will be held in Seattle, Washington on August 8-10. To learn more about the USASA, visit www.usasa.com, or view the Region II site at www.soccermidwest.us.

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For more information, contact Debra Trapikas at tawana53@aol.com or 269-861-0718.