March 16, 2005

America's Best Play US Youth Soccer
Soccer America announces top 20 boys and girls youth soccer clubs in America

Forty US Youth Soccer clubs were named "America's Best Youth Clubs" by Soccer America magazine. The common denominator of success was US Youth Soccer.

"We congratulate these clubs for receiving this honor," said David Messersmith, president of US Youth Soccer. "We are very proud of our brand of soccer and it's ability to reach all ages and levels. It's wonderful to see Soccer America recognize the work of our coaches, players and their support systems as evidenced in their criteria used to select 'America's Best Youth Clubs'."

For the second year, Soccer America Magazine selected the top 20 boys and girls clubs, based on success of their teams in national youth competitions over the last three years, with an emphasis on success at the Regional and National level of the US Youth Soccer National Championship Series, and recognition for players they have sent to national and US Youth Soccer ODP regional teams in 2004.

"Soccer America's acknowledgement further solidifies US Youth Soccer's position as the leader in providing player development opportunities through such as programs as the US Youth Soccer National Championship Series and the US Youth Soccer Olympic Development Program," said Jim Cosgrove, executive director of US Youth Soccer.

Boys Top Club	State Association	Girls Top Club	State Association
1 Chicago Magic	Illinois	1 San Diego Surf	California South
2 FC Delco	Eastern Pennsylvania	2 PDA	New Jersey
3 Irvine Strikers	California South	3 Slammers	California North
4 Casa Mia's Bays	Maryland	4 Bethesda SC	Maryland
5 CASL Elite	North Caroline	5 Pleasanton Rage	California North
6 Scott Gallagher	Missouri	6 Sereno Golden Eagles	Arizona
7 La Jolla Nomads	California South	7 Dallas Texans	North Texas
8 Texans SC	South Texas	8 Michigan Hawks	Michigan
9 Sereno Golden Eagles	Arizona	9 Eclipse Select	Illinois
10 Concorde Fire	Georgia	10 Laguna Hills Eclipse	California South
11 Sockers FC	Illinois	11 Mustang Soccer	California North
12 Arsenal FC	California South	12 So Cal United	California South
13 Dallas Texans	North Texas	13 Challenge SC	South Texas
14 Michigan Wolves	Michigan	14 HBC Soccer	Eastern New York
15 So Cal United	California South	15 Peachtree City	Georgia
16 St. Louis SC	Missouri	16 Gwinnett SA	Georgia
17 Colorado Rush	Colorado	17 World Class Soccer	Connecticut
18 PDA	New Jersey	18 So Cal Blues	California South
19 Albertson SC	Eastern New York	19 Windy City Pride	Illinois
20 Vardar	Michigan	20 Colorado Girls SA	Colorado

"It is still the youth game at its highest level that drives our sport," said Lynn Berling-Manuel, CEO and publisher of Soccer America in reference to the magazine's focus on youth clubs "the game that continues to drive soccer in America."

The US Youth Soccer National Championship Series is the crown jewel of youth soccer in America where more than 129,000 boys and girls on over 7,200 teams, in age groups Under-12 through Under-19, compete for their respective US Youth Soccer State Championship titles in all 55 State Associations. From there, State Cup Champions earn the right to compete in one of four US Youth Soccer Regional Championships. Those graced with the skill, ability and determination to earn a birth at the 2005 US Youth Soccer National Championship to be played at Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex.

The US Youth Soccer Olympic Development Program (US Youth Soccer ODP) was formed in 1977 to identify a pool of players in each age group from which a National Team will be selected for international competition; to provide high-level training to benefit and enhance the development of players at all levels; and, through the use of carefully selected and licensed coaches, develop a mechanism for the exchange of ideas and curriculum to improve all levels of coaching. US Youth Soccer ODP is the first and original ODP program. US Youth Soccer ODP is the only elite player development program that can claim members of Major League Soccer and former Women's United Soccer Association, as well as a majority of current and past national and youth team members, as alumni. And, with programs in all 55 State Associations as well as regional and national championships and participation in international tournaments, US Youth Soccer ODP continues to lead the way for elite player development in the United States.

In addition to elite player development and competition, US Youth Soccer offers programs for more than 3 million youth players across the United States, including the American Cup, TOPSoccer, Soccer Start and the Coaches Connection to name a few. To learn more about US Youth Soccer and the number of programs offered to players, coaches, referees, administrators and parents visit www.USYouthSoccer.org.