March 23, 2011

In honor of the National Cup’s 10th year, US Club Soccer is presenting a 10-part series which will chronicle the history of the National Cup. Today’s seventh installment highlights the 2008 National Cup VII.

Through the first six years of the National Cup, no single location had been the home of National Cup Finals for more than one year at a time. That all changed with the 2008 National Cup VII, which marked the first of three consecutive years that Finals were held in the tourist destination of Virginia Beach, Va.

The National Cup VII Finals were held July 26-29, 2008, at Hampton Roads Soccer Complex and Princess Anne Athletic Complex. This marked the second time the National Cup had visited Virginia Beach, as the city was also the site of a 2007 National Cup VI Regional.

“As both complexes boast some of the finest fields in the country, they are perfect facilities to host our National Cup Finals,” said US Club Soccer Executive Director Bill Sage back in November 2007. “In addition to the high-level competition, the participating teams will also enjoy the amenities and attractions of one of the nation’s most popular vacation destinations.”

Regionals were held in a total of nine different cities in 2008 spanning across the entire country. Regional play kicked off on May 24 in LaGrangeville, N.Y., and Jacksonville, Fla., before coming to a close on July 8 in Boise, Idaho.

Leading the way with a pair of National Cup championships in Virginia Beach were Federal Way Reign (U-13 and U-14 Super Group girls) and Buffalo United SC (U-15 and U-16 Premier girls).

Links to 2008 National Cup VII championship teams listings and photos are available here. In addition, a running commentary from throughout the event can be found here.

Check back for Part 8 of the series on Friday, March 25. For more information about the upcoming National Cup X or to apply for a Regional, visit the National Cup X Web page or contact your Membership Services Representative.

Have a National Cup story you would like to share? Then send it to Adam Augustine at aaugustine@usclubsoccer.org.

A Look Back
Part 1: National Cup I (2002)
Part 2: National Cup II (2003)
Part 3: National Cup III (2004)
Part 4: National Cup IV (2005)
Part 5: National Cup V (2006)
Part 6: National Cup VI (2007)