Schedule announced for US Youth Soccer National Championships

FRISCO, Texas (Via US Youth Soccer) — US Youth Soccer has announced the schedule for the 2017 US Youth Soccer National Championships, to be played July 25-30 at the Toyota Soccer Center in Frisco, Texas.

The 96 qualifying teams will play preliminary matches Tuesday, July 25 through Thursday, July 27 to determine who will advance in the pursuit for the National Championship. Following a day of rest on Friday, July 28, 13U and 14U title games will take place on Saturday, July 29. The 15U through 19/20U teams will play semifinals on Saturdaymorning before crowning the National Champions on Sunday, July 30.

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The traditional 56 regional champions and representatives have advanced to the National Championships via success through the first two legs of the annual US Youth Soccer National Championship Series, where more than 10,000 teams began their journey at the US Youth Soccer State Championships.

State champions advanced to their respective US Youth Soccer Regional Championship, four in all, where more than 900 teams competed from all corners of the country. In addition to these 56 regional champions, 40 teams from the US Youth Soccer National League will complete the field of 96.

+READ: Champions crowned at US Youth Soccer Region I Championships

The National League consists of 15U through 19/20U boys and girls teams, all of which qualified for league play through success in their respective US Youth Soccer Regional Leagues and US Youth Soccer Regional Championships. Established in 2007, National League teams have captured a combined 47 of a possible 68 US Youth Soccer National Championships in the league’s nine years.

For all teams competing in the National Championships, the annual Player Luncheon will be held July 24 at the Hilton Anatole in Dallas. The luncheon serves as the kickoff to the weeklong event highlighting the achievements of these national qualifiers.

Round robin match times are scheduled for 7 a.m., 9 a.m., 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. on the opening day of play, with preliminary games continuing through Thursday. Teams will earn three points for a win, one point for a tie and no points for a loss. The teams with the most points at the conclusion of Thursday’s play in the 13U and 14U age groups will advance to play for the National Championship on Saturday, July 29. In the 15U through 19/20U age groups, the top two teams in each group move on to semifinals for a chance to earn a place in their respective National Championship final on Sunday, July 30.

+READ: Champions crowned at US Youth Soccer Region II Championships

The James P. McGuire Cup final will begin at 7 a.m. CT on Sunday, July 30 to determine the 19/20U Boys National Champion. The 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.