The 2007 US Youth Soccer National Champions were crowned over the weekend at Pizza Hut Park where the top four teams in each age group in the country met to conclude the final leg of the 2007 US Youth Soccer National Championship Series. After this week's three rounds of preliminary play, only the top two teams in the country remained to play for their respective national title (Under-14 through Under-19 boys and girls).

An estimated 10,000, attended each day of the championship finals as fans sought out to see the nation’s finest play at one of the country’s top facilities. The event drew more than 40,000 in attendance for the week.

In addition to great fan support, the officiating of the tournament was highly praised.

“This is the first time, that I’m aware of, that not a single red card was warranted during any of the 84 games,” said Bob Wertz, US Youth Soccer Referee Chairman. “There were a number of factors including the cooperation of the players and selection process. It was a job well done.”

Just as the top teams earn their place at the national championships, so do the referees. Advancing from state and regional competitions, each region sends 12 referees to the tournament. These 48 represent the top youth referees of a pool of over 155,000.

On the level of officiating, Brian Hall, referee instructor from U.S. Soccer said, “This was a fantastic example of what a group of referees who come together and use personality to manage a game. It showed the quality of youth referees that we have today, in that they were able to manage the games without any violent tackles and deal with it in such a way that the games were entertaining for the players and spectators and safety for all was never in question.”

Hall was the first U.S.-born official ever selected to referee the FIFA World Cup and advanced to work the national championships as a youth. “It’s come full circle for me as I worked in this event. To be out here and help these young referees live there dreams like I was able to live mine is a great thing. It was a benefit. It was another stepping stone to my becoming a national then a professional referee and ultimately having the opportunity to referee in the World Cup. It is a dream to be selected amongst the top referees in the country and when you are selected it just give you that much more impetus to keep pushing yourself to excel in the future.”

Highlights of championship finals and preliminary round games are available at http://championships.usyouthsoccer.org. The official web site of the US Youth Soccer National Championship Series also features video, photos, player blogs and more. Champions are listed below:

Under-19 Boys: Dallas Texans 88 Red become third boys’ team to with three consecutive titles (2005, 2006, 2007)
Under-19 Girls: Carmel United Cyclones (IN)
Under-18 Boys: Terryville Fire ends Arsenal’s hopes of a four-peat
Under-18 Girls: Bloomfield Force
Under-17 Boys: Andromeda 90 (N-TX) wins in PKs (4-2)
Under-17 Girls: Eagles SC (CA-S) earn second national title (2004 U-14)
Under-16 Boys: Real So Cal wins, only second boys’ team to win three titles
Under-16 Girls: McLean Freedom
Under-15 Boys: Michigan Wolves
Under-15 Girls: So Cal Blues
Under-14 Boys: Baltimore Casa Mia Bays
Under-14 Girls: Sting Dallas Royal