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CHARLESTON, S.C. (June 16, 2010) – A total of 21 teams from four different states were crowned Regional champions as the 2010 National Cup IX continued this past weekend in Denver and Modesto, Calif. (Boys).

One of the main storylines at the Denver Regional was the heavy rainfall, which led to the postponement of all games on Sunday. Thanks to flexibility from all of the participants, play resumed on Monday and champions were able to be crowned in seven divisions.

After winning the boys’ U-12 division at the Denver Regional last year, Colorado Storm ’97 Royal made it two years in a row by claiming the U-13 division this year. They were one of three teams from the club to earn Regional championships as Colorado Storm ’93 Royal won the boys’ U-17 division and Colorado Storm ’96 Royal won the boys’ U-14 division.

In perhaps the most exciting match of the Denver Regional, Rio Vista FC '94 defeated rival club New Mexico Rush 7-6 in penalty kicks on Monday to win the boys' U-16 Premier Group. The game was scoreless heading into penalty kicks.

“We came out in the first game on Saturday and lost 3-1 in a crazy game where we felt we played well, but we didn’t have the luck,” said Rio Vista FC ’94 coach Sibby Browne. “We didn’t play any games on Sunday because of the rain, but that gave us the chance to do some team building, watch the World Cup and have a good time. These guys recovered well and we made it to the final and played a team we’ve seen six or seven times in the last two years.

“It’s a big rivalry for these guys and we just gritted it out and won on the seventh shooter. The players all sprinted onto the field and dog-piled on the keeper. These guys have been through a lot of stuff together and they’ve been battling that other team since they were about eight years old. We’re very excited to go represent our club in Virginia Beach.”
 
In Modesto, play wrapped up on Tuesday as the final 11 Regional titles were awarded. In all, 14 Regional championships were handed out in Modesto to teams from 13 different clubs. Leading the way with two titles was Sacramento United, which claimed both the U-14 Super Group and U-12 Premier Group.

“All of the top teams from the area were at the Regional, so to not only come out of our group but also beat the quality teams that we did in the semifinal and final is a great achievement,” said Sacramento United Technical Director Shawn Blakeman. “The U-14 team is looking forward to representing our club and our region at Finals. It’s a great event and a life-long experience they can remember for many years. We’re looking forward to competing against some very good teams.”

Regionals will continue through July 12 in a total of 11 cities. Regional-winning teams in the U-13 through U-17 age groups earned berths in the 2010 National Cup IX Finals to be played July 24-27 (girls) and July 30-Aug. 2 (boys) in Virginia Beach, Va., where national championships will be awarded.

Regional play resumes June 19-22 with action in Columbus, Ohio, San Bernardino, Calif., and Modesto, Calif. (Girls).

A full list of championship teams from the Denver and Modesto (Boys) Regionals is shown below:

DENVER REGIONAL:

U-11 Boys Premier Group:  Pride SC Predators ’99 (Colo.)
U-13 Boys Premier Group:  Colorado Storm ’97 Royal (Colo.)
U-14 Boys Premier Group:  Colorado Storm ’96 Royal (Colo.)
U-15 Boys Premier Group:  Real Colorado Olympico (Colo.)
U-16 Boys Premier Group:  Rio Vista FC ‘94 (N.M.)
U-17 Boys Premier Group:  Colorado Storm ’93 Royal (Colo.)
U-17 Girls Premier Group:  La Roca Premier (Utah)

MODESTO, CALIF. (BOYS) REGIONAL:

U-11 Super Group:  Modesto Ajax United Elite 99B (Calif.)
U-11 Premier Group:  Nomads U-11 Red (Calif.)
U-12 Super Group:  Atletico Santa Rosa Arsenal (Calif.)
U-12 Premier Group:  Sacramento United Manchester (Calif.)
U-13 Super Group:  Milan FC Rossoneri (Calif.)
U-13 Premier Group:  Northern California SA Rangers (Calif.)
U-14 Super Group:  Sacramento United Reds (Calif.)
U-14 Premier Group:  California Odyssey SC (Calif.)
U-15 Super Group:  Santa Clara Sporting FC ’94 (Calif.)
U-15 Premier Group:  De Anza Force SC ‘94B Black (Calif.)
U-16 Super Group:  FCA Fusion (Calif.)
U-16 Premier Group:  San Jose SC '94 (Calif.)
U-17 Super Group:  Juventus SC Monarchs (Calif.)
U-18/19 Super Group:  Ceres Earthquake FC (Calif.)

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About US Club Soccer:
US Club Soccer is a non-profit organization whose mission is to develop competitive club soccer in the United States. A member of the United States Soccer Federation since July 2001, US Club Soccer has grown to include member clubs and leagues in all 50 states. In addition to sanctioning and administering tournaments, leagues and other competitions as well as offering a range of programs for its members, US Club Soccer annually conducts the National Cup and the National Collegiate Showcase. US Club Soccer also directs its own player identification and development program – id².

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