MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (Jan. 2, 2007) – U.S. Club Soccer announced today the hiring of Gabe Rood as its Western Regional Representative.  Rood will work to increase U.S. Club Soccer membership and the awareness of U.S. Club Soccer events in the Rocky Mountain and Pacific states.

“Gabe possesses a unique combination of soccer and business experience that will serve him well in this position,” said US Club Soccer Executive Director Bill Sage.  “His hiring also provides US Club Soccer with a presence in California, which will benefit more clubs in having direct access to their regional representative.”

Rood has been the Boys Director of Coaching at Sonoma County Alliance and also the Player Development Program Coordinator for the NorCal Premier League, positions he is stepping down from.  He previously coached at Santa Rosa United, the club he grew up playing for.

Rood competed collegiately at the University of San Francisco and graduated with a degree in finance.  Before dedicating himself full-time to soccer, he worked as a Financial Advisor for Morgan Stanley.  Rood resides in Santa Rosa, Calif.

Grant Clark, who has served the Western Region for the last four years, has stepped down to pursue other opportunities.  "Grant has been a valuable member of our staff during an important growth period in US Club Soccer,” said Sage.  “We wish him well in his future endeavors."

Regional Representative Contact Information and Map

Please contact your Regional Representative with any questions regarding US Club Soccer membership or events.

About US Club Soccer
US Club Soccer is a non-profit organization whose mission is to develop competitive club soccer in the United States. It has been a member of the United States Soccer Federation since July 2001, and has grown to over 1,200 member clubs and league teams in 47 states. In addition to sanctioning tournaments, leagues, and other competitions and conducting a range of programs for its members, it annually conducts the US Club Soccer National Cup, for member teams for boys and girls’ U12 to U17.  The 2007 National Cup VI kicks off with regional play Memorial Day weekend and will conclude in late July with the crowning of National Champions.  US Club Soccer also began its own player identification and development program in the summer of 2004, termed id2.  Over the 2007 Easter Weekend, US Club Soccer, in conjunction with Disney’s Wide World of Sports, will hold the second annual Champions Cup to determine the nation’s top boy and girls’ clubs.  US Club Soccer’s growing list of National Corporate Partners include: Nike, 24 Hour Fitness, Accor Hotels, American Airlines, Budget Rent A Car, Etriptix, Major League Soccer, Slammers® Ultimate Milk, SoccerPost.com and TEKK Athletic; as well as a supplier group of six additional corporations. For more information, visit www.usclubsoccer.org.