2012 U.S. Youth Soccer U-19 Boys National Championship’s James P. McGuire Cup to be broadcast live on Fox Soccer

The Under-19 Boys U.S. Youth Soccer National Championship, James P. McGuire Cup, final will be broadcast live on Fox Soccer from Manchester Meadows in Rock Hill, S.C. Saturday, July 28, beginning with a pregame show at 7:30 p.m. ET and kickoff at 8 p.m.

The Under-19 Boys James P. McGuire Cup is the oldest trophy in youth sports dating back to 1935 with the inaugural youth championships and played annually except during World War II.

Officially known as the United States Soccer Federation National Junior Challenge Cup, the competition was renamed the James P. McGuire Junior Champion Cup in 1975, after the late United States Soccer Federation President. He played for the Brooklyn Wanderers in 1929, and later joined the Brooklyn St. Mary’s Celtics who with McGuire at centre half won the U.S. Open Cup. James McGuire also served on World Cup and various other FIFA committees, and earned an international reputation as an excellent soccer administrator and leader.

The U-19 Boys’ field consists of Crew Juniors of Ohio, Empire United Soccer Academy Syracuse of New York, GSA 93 Phoenix Red of Georgia and West Coast FC of California.

The McGuire Cup championship final is one of 12 taking place over the weekend and the culmination of the U.S. Youth Soccer National Championship Series, the country’s most prestigious national youth soccer tournament.

The Series provides over 185,000 players (10,000 teams) from U.S. Youth Soccer’s 55 state associations, the opportunity to showcase their soccer skills against the best competition in the nation while emphasizing teamwork, discipline and fair play. The Series is known as the ultimate destination for the country’s collegiate soccer coaches and the future of soccer.

“We are happy to have Fox Soccer broadcast the live James P. McGuire Cup from the U.S. Youth Soccer National Championships,” said Todd Roby, director of communications for U.S. Youth Soccer.  “For the McGuire Cup final to air on Fox Soccer is a fitting tribute to our most storied cups and one that thousands have played for over the course of its 77-year history.  Our hope is that the broadcast inspires kids to continue to chase their dreams through commitment and hard work; knowing ultimately that regardless of success on the playing field the games prepare them for success in life.”

The U.S. Youth Soccer National Championships consist of four U.S. Youth Soccer Regional Champions in the Under-14 through Under-19 Boys and Girls age groups and the U.S. Youth Soccer National League qualifiers in the Under-15 through Under-17 age groups to complete the field of 60 teams.

The annual player luncheon, closed to participants only, kicks off the National Championships on July 24. Round robin games are played July 25-27 and finals are July 28-29 at Manchester Meadows.

For complete game scores, stories, standings, video and more visit the online home to the U.S. Youth Soccer National Championship Series, http://championships.usyouthsoccer.org.