CHARLESTON, S.C. (Feb. 11, 2009) – Set to kick off in May, the Southeast Regional League for U-13, U-15 and U-17 boys’ and girls’ teams is the second of US Club Soccer’s regional leagues to take shape.

The Southeast Regional League will feature well-known clubs split into two divisions:

North Division:  Annandale/McLean United, Beach FC, Calvert SA, CASL Elite (U-13 and U-15 boys' and girls' only), Hammerheads Youth Academy (boys only), Northern Virginia FC, Twin City SA (girls only) and United FC Chesterfield (U-17 boys' and girls 'only).

South Division:  ASG Florida, Atlanta Fire United (U-17 boys only), Atlanta Soccer Academy, Birmingham United, Charlotte United, GA-SC Bulls and Twin City SA (boys only).

Teams will play an eight-game season during the summer months, and champions will be determined based on cumulative points at the end of the regular season. The complete schedule will be announced shortly.

“This league is comprised of some of the best clubs in the southeast,” said US Club Soccer Executive Director Bill Sage. “We look forward to what will be a meaningful season, as the framework of the Southeast Regional League is consistent with the goals of the member clubs.”

"The Georgia-South Carolina Bulls see the mission and operating systems of US Club Soccer’s Southeast Regional League very much in line with the philosophy with our club,” said Jason Spinks, the club’s Director of Coaching. “We already operate across state lines working with diverse groups of players, which can be very constraining under other soccer leagues. The Southeast Regional League eliminates those 'barriers' and puts the focus and the power where it should be – with the soccer players on the soccer fields of the southeast."

US Club Soccer previously announced the Northeast Pre-Academy League for boys’ clubs involved with the USSF Development Academy in the U-14 and U-15 age groups.

New, fully-functional Web sites for both the Northeast Pre-Academy League and the Southeast Regional League will soon be available.

Additional regional leagues for various age groups are in the process of being formed in the Northeast, Central and Western areas of the country. Those interested in participating are urged to contact their respective regional representative below as soon as possible:

Chris Baer, Central
cbaer@usclubsoccer.org

Mike Gould, Northeast
mgould@usclubsoccer.org

Kevin McGovern, Southeast
kmcgovern@usclubsoccer.org

Gabe Rood, West
grood@usclubsoccer.org

As a result of the considerable interest expressed in US Club Soccer playing a more direct role in league development, the organization announced in September that it would begin selectively administering its own regional leagues. These regional leagues are not necessarily specific to the four USSF regions, as they are based on smaller geographic regions.


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 2,300 member clubs and leagues in 49 states. In addition to sanctioning 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 annual player identification and development program – id2.