Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer State Cup Applications Now Available Online -- EPYSA Offers Three Levels of Competition in 2010
For the first time, the Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer Association (EPYSA) will offer three levels of outdoor state cup competition, the EPYSA State Cup, the Eastern Pennsylvania Challenge Cup, and new this year, the Eastern Pennsylvania Presidents Cup.Applications are now available online at the EPYSA web site, at http://www.epysa.org/, and will be accepted until 11:59 p.m. Eastern time on February 15, 2010.
The top level of play is the EPYSA State Cup Presented by Angelo’s Soccer Corner, which serves as the first leg of the US Youth Soccer National Championship Series. EPYSA State Cup champions earn the right to compete at the Region I championships and potentially advance to the US Youth Soccer National Championships. In 2009, five Eastern Pennsylvania state cup champions advanced to nationals, with FC Bucks Vipers bringing home the Girls under 18 National Championship. EPYSA teams have participated in the National Championships dating back to 1939, when Lighthouse Boys Club won the (Under 19) McGuire Cup.
New in 2010 is the EPYSA Presidents Cup. The Presidents Cup is a national tournament for highly competitive teams. The Presidents Cup is played in a “World Cup” format with round-robin competition in the preliminary rounds. The EPYSA Presidents Cup champion earns the right to compete in the Region I event, where winners advance to the National Presidents Cup.
The third level of competition is the EPYSA Challenge Cup, a statewide tournament for competitive teams looking to challenge themselves outside of regular league competition. The Challenge Cup, established in 1996, is played in a “World Cup” format, guaranteeing each team three games. The semi finals and finals of these events will be played at Thornbury Soccer Park and Delacy Soccer Complex, hosted by West Chester United S.C. The June finals will be held at the Hempfield High School Complex, and hosted by Hempfield Soccer Club.
“We’re pleased to offer these three levels of competitions, providing opportunities and experiences for teams and players of all levels,” said Bob Mc Dade, president of EPYSA. “We are very proud of the tradition of the State Cups and have been blessed with many great teams, players and coaches that have participated over the years. It is our sincere hope that we are blessed again with the success that we had in 2009 with so many teams representing Eastern Pennsylvania on the national stage.”
The US Youth Soccer National Championship Series heads to West Virginia for the Region I Championships and the National Championships will be held in Overland Park, Kansas. The Presidents Cup Regionals take place in Saratoga Springs, NY and the National Presidents Cup will be in Murfreesboro, Tennessee.
About Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer:
For over 35 years, the Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer Association (EPYSA) has worked throughout the Delaware Valley to promote, foster and perpetuate the game of soccer to the region’s youth. Through competitions, educational programs, workshops and coaching clinics, EPYSA annually impacts the lives of over 130,000 youth soccer players from ages five to 19. Additional information about EPYSA is available at http://www.epysa.org/.
Media Contact:
Jim DeLorenzo