MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (Nov. 14, 2004) – Three 2004 National Cup III champion teams were honored at Sunday’s MLS Cup at The Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif. Nomads’ U14 Boys, Arsenal’s U16 Boys and the Slammers’ U16 Girls, all based in Southern California, were recognized at Major League Soccer’s championship match between DC United and the Kansas City Wizards.

“We appreciate MLS taking the time to recognize our national champions from Southern California as they themselves look to crown their own champion,” said US Club Soccer Executive Director Bill Sage. “Sunday’s match capped an excellent year of growth for both MLS and US Club Soccer.”

US Club Soccer partners with MLS and its member teams to reach out to soccer enthusiasts and spread the love of the game.

Tentative locations and dates for the 2005 National Cup IV Regionals are posted on www.usclubsoccer.org. Applications for the 2005 National Cup IV will also be available soon.

A quick glance at the recognized teams:

• U14 Nomad Boys (La Jolla, CA) – Won the U14 Boys Premier title with a 4-2 victory over Scott Gallagher (St. Louis, MO).
• U16 Arsenal Boys (Alta Loma, CA) – Blanked Paris St. Germain (Fontana, CA), 2-0, to win the U16 Boys Premier title.
• U16 Slammers Girls (Santa Ana, CA) – Posted a 2-0 shutout against San Juan (Folsom, CA) to claim the U16 Girls Premier national championship.

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 900 member clubs and league teams in 44 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 kicks off Memorial Day weekend. US Club Soccer also launched its own player identification and development program in the summer of 2004, termed id2. In 2005, US Club Soccer, in conjunction with Disney, 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: 24 Hour Fitness, Budget Rent A Car, Cendant Hotel Group, Delta Airlines, Nike, Puma, Major League Soccer and TEKK Athletic; as well as a supplier group of six additional corporations. For more information, visit www.usclubsoccer.org.