JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (July 24, 2005) – National champions were crowned in Boys U12-U14 and Girls U12-U15 age groups Sunday, July 24 as the first weekend of the 2005 National Cup IV Finals concluded in Jacksonville, Fla.  Slammers FC (CA) and the Chicago Magic (IL) both claimed a pair of National Cup IV titles.  The 2005 National Cup IV Finals continue next weekend, July 29 – Aug. 1, with Boys U15-U17 action in Orlando.

Slammers FC earned championships in the Premier Boys U13 and Premier Girls U15 divisions, as each team allowed just a single goal during the course of the Finals.  In the championship matches, Slammers FC’s U13 boys edged NY Hota (NY), 1-0, while the U15 girls defeated OJSC Barcelona (CA), 3-0.

Keeping a clean slate throughout the entire tournament, the Chicago Magic won the Premier Girls U13 competition by posting a 2-0 victory over the Vista Shockwaves (VA) in the Final.  In the Super Group Boys U13 Final, the Magic recorded another 2-0 shutout in blanking the PASCO Stallions (NJ).

Teams from the Carolinas had a strong showing at the Finals as Bridge FA (SC), CASL (NC) and Goldstar SC (NC) each won a national title.  Bridge FA defeated Diablo Valley SC (CA), 3-1, in the Premier Boys U14 Final while Goldstar SC beat the Nomads (CA), 4-2, in the Super Group Boys U14 Final as each club won its first US Club Soccer National Cup championship.  CASL, who sent four teams to the Finals in Jacksonville, raised The National Cup trophy after dropping the Chicago Magic by a 5-1 score in the Premier Boys U12 championship match.

Dramatic endings were the theme of the Premier Girls U12 and U14 title games.  After 106 minutes of scoreless soccer in the Girls U12 final, Santa Rosa United (CA) found the back of the net with just four minutes remaining in the second overtime period to edge CASL, 1-0.  In the Girls U14 championship, penalty kicks were called for after the Central Valley Mercury (CA) and Neusport Tabagators (NV) were knotted at two goals apiece following 110 minutes of soccer.  By a slim 3-2 margin, the Central Valley Mercury won the shootout and lifted the National Cup trophy.

Winners in boys and girls U12-U17 age groups from eight National Cup IV Regionals, which were open only to US Club Soccer members, advanced to the 2005 National Cup IV Finals.  The Boys U15-U17 Finals will be held in Orlando, Fla. next weekend, July 29 - Aug. 1, while Stony Brook, N.Y. will host the Girls U16-U17 Finals Aug. 5-8.  Both the Boys U15-U17 and Girls U16-U17 Finals will be held in conjunction with the Score at the Shore Showcase to maximize our members’ exposure to college scouts.

For more information regarding the 2005 National Cup IV, visit the official 2005 National Cup IV page at www.usclubsoccer.org.  Following is a complete list of 2005 National Cup IV Boys U12-U14 & Girls U12-U15 winners.  Complete results from Jacksonville can be found online.  Photos of the Boys U12-U14 & Girls U12-U15 champions and finalists are also available online.

Premier Boys 2005 National Cup IV Champions
U12 – CASL (NC)
U13 – Slammers FC (CA)
U14 – Bridge FA (SC)

Super Group Boys 2005 National Cup IV Champions
U13 – Chicago Magic (IL)
U14 – Goldstar SC (NC)

Premier Girls 2005 National Cup IV Champions
U12 – Santa Rosa United (CA)
U13 – Chicago Magic (IL)
U14 – Central Valley Mercury (CA)
U15 – Slammers FC (CA)

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 2005 National Cup IV kicked off Memorial Day weekend and runs through early August.  US Club Soccer also launched its own player identification and development program in the summer of 2004, termed id2. In 2006, US Club Soccer, in conjunction with Disney’s Wide World of Sports, will launch the inaugural Champions League Cup to determine the nation’s top boy and girl’s clubs.  US Club Soccer’s growing list of National Corporate Partners include: Nike, 24 Hour Fitness, American Airlines, Budget Rent A Car, Cendant Hotel Group, Etriptix, Major League Soccer, Slammers® Ultimate Milk and TEKK Athletic; as well as a supplier group of six additional corporations. For more information, visit www.usclubsoccer.org.