Local Team Comes In Second At AYSO National Games
The next generation of what may be America’s great soccer competed in the American Youth Soccer Organization’s (AYSO) National Games 2014 from June 29 to July 7, 2014. Part of AYSO’s yearlong 50th Anniversary celebration, the National Games returned to Southern California, the birthplace of AYSO. The bi-annual event will be twice its normal size, hosting more than 7,000 players on nearly 500 teams from across the United States.
“This was the largest youth soccer event in AYSO’s history and one of the largest youth soccer tournaments in the nation. Nearly 500 teams from over 150 communities in 19 states converged on Riverside and Torrance,” said Mark Stewart, AYSO’s National President. “It’s a great accomplishment for the over 7,000 AYSO kids who participated, who exemplify everything AYSO stands for – including Player Development, Good Sportsmanship and an all-inclusive culture where Everyone Plays® – and we could not be more proud.”
The West Palm Beach Girls Under 19 Years team took second place this past weekend in American Youth Soccer Organization’s (AYSO) National Games. Over 7,000 players from across the country, making up almost 500 teams descended upon Los Angeles to compete in AYSO’s bi-annual soccer tournament. The Games had a record-breaking attendance of over 30,000.
Coach Douglas Rodas commented, “Our team, The Heat, put up a valiant effort in the Finals. It was tied 0-0 at the end of regulation, which sent the game to Penalty Kicks where the other team ultimately prevailed. I am proud of all the girls, most of whom I have coached the last 10 years including the State (Florida) Games and in 2010, 2012 and 2014 – the National Games. I feel privileged to have this experience with my daughter and her friends that I will never forget.”
Boys and girls ranging in ages from 8 to 18 competed in a tournament structured in large part using the same model as the FIFA World Cup: Teams will placed into groups of four teams each and play in a series of round robin qualifying games. Teams with the highest scores during the qualifying round will then proceed to a single game elimination playoff system.
The AYSO National Games uses a unique scoring system that places as much emphasis on good sportsmanship as it does on win/loss records. During every game, teams receive points based on whether they win or lose, the number of goals they score, and the quality of good sportsmanship they demonstrate. Good sportsmanship points are weighted equally to the win-loss-scoring points.
Teams participating in the National Games include divisions for both boys and girls, age-specific divisions (under 10 years, under 12 years, under 14 years, under 16 years and under 19 years) and also a VIP (Very Important Player) division for players with disabilities.
This year’s National Games happened just as the World Cup heats up interest in soccer nationwide. Three soccer players currently on the US Men’s National Team World Cup roster, Alejandro Bedoya, Nick Rimando and Brad Guzan, got their start in AYSO.
“AYSO’s National Games is exciting for a lot of reasons. What I love is watching the kids play and develop and gain confidence,” says Scott Gimple, AYSO’s Director of Player Development and National Events. “That’s part of the reason so many professional soccer players got their start here. It’s a great place to learn, try new things and have fun. And that’s what the National Games is all about.
“A lot of people will fall in love with soccer this summer,” says Gimple. “We’re excited to be playing our 50th Anniversary National Games during such an exciting time for the sport.”
