USL announces groups for Super Y-League Finals

The groups for the 2012 United Soccer Leagues Super Y-League North American Finals were announced during a live draw at USL headquarters in Tampa. The 130 teams representing some of the best young boys and girls talent will descend upon Bradenton, Florida this winter. The event is set for December 7-11 at the world-class facilities of IMG Academy.

The participating teams represent five regional divisions throughout the United States and Canada – Mid Atlantic, Midwest, New England, South Atlantic, and Southeast. While the schedule of games will not be released until next week, Thursday’s draw gives teams an idea of what they’ll be up against.

With 130 teams competing, the total daily attendance for December’s Super Y-League North American Finals is expected to exceed 15,000, and fill more than 7,000 hotel rooms in Manatee and Sarasota Counties. Earlier this year, IMG hosted the Super-20 Finals, the Super Y-League Olympic Development Program (ODP) National Camps for boys and girls, and the USL PRO Combine.

The world’s largest and most advanced multi-sport training and education complex, IMG Academy has hosted myriad soccer team training camps in 2012, including clubs such as the Seattle Sounders, D.C. United, Columbus Crew, Sweden’s Malmö FF, as well as the U.S. Women’s National Team preparing for the London Olympic Games and the Antigua & Barbuda Men’s National Team preparing for World Cup qualifying.

In its 14th consecutive year, the SYL North American Finals has helped launched the careers of many notable U.S. soccer stars such as Jozy Altidore, Juan Agudelo and 2010 Gatorade National High School Player of the Year Mollie Pathman.