JULY 25-28 (BOYS) & JULY 31-AUG. 3 (GIRLS)
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MON., AUG. 3 | 3:44 PM ET | NATIONAL CUP VIII CONCLUDES
The final curtain was drawn on the 2009 National Cup VIII this afternoon, as girls' national champions were crowned here at the Hampton Roads Soccer Complex in Virginia Beach, Va.

Please stay tuned over the coming weeks for a 2009 National Cup VIII Finals/National Collegiate Showcase highlight video as well as a "Best of the 2009 National Cup VIII" feature.

In the interim, here are a few scenes from today's events, and be sure to check out the National Cup VIII Finals/National Collegiate Showcase Online HQ for more information, features, photos, etc.


MON., AUG. 3 | 9:06 AM ET | 23 STATES
A total of 23 states are represented at the 2009 National Cup VIII Finals and National Collegiate Showcase, as participating boys’ and girls’ teams came from throughout the United States to Virginia Beach, Va., for the events.

Here are the states represented:
Alabama, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Minnesota, Missouri, North Carolina, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia and Washington.

Which state had the most success at the National Cup VIII Finals? We’ll let you know after the conclusion of the girls’ event.

MON., AUG. 3 | 8:08 AM ET | 4 CHAMPIONSHIP GAMES UNDERWAY, 5 MORE AT 10
Today marks the final day of the 2009 National Cup VIII, 72 days after the event kicked off in LaGrangeville, N.Y., on May 23. Since then, nine other Regionals were held in advance of the culminating event here in Virginia Beach, Va.

A complete game-by-game preview of national championship games on the girls' side can be viewed here.

The four championship games currently taking place (8 a.m. start):
*U-14 Girls Super Group: Chicago Fire Juniors Red 11 (Ill.) vs. Crossfire Premier A 94 (Wash.)

*U-15 Girls Super Group: Chicago Magic 93/94 (Ill.) vs. Freestate SA Fury (Md.)

*U-15 Girls Premier: Eastern FC Cheetahs (Conn.) vs. California Odyssey 94 Girls Red (Calif.)

*U-16 Girls Super Group: PDA Tsunami (N.J.) vs. Hibernian Express (N.J.)


SUN., AUG. 2 | 4:36 PM ET | BACK AT IT
After a one-hour-40-minute weather delay, teams have taken the fields once again and are ready to kick off those games that were originally scheduled for 2:45 p.m. The games that were originally scheduled for 4:30 p.m. will now start around 6:15 p.m.


SUN., AUG. 2 | 1:21 PM ET | MID-DAY UPDATE
So far, five matchups for tomorrow's national championship games have been determined. Stay tuned for a game-by-game preview of those contests later this afternoon.

A few teams currently participating in the 2009 National Cup VIII Finals are familiar with the event after also competing in Virginia Beach, Va., last year. Here are a few highlights:

*The U-16 Girls Super Group squad from Les Bois SA (Idaho) that lost in the national championship game in 2008 participated at this year's event, but did not advance to the title contest after earning four points in three preliminary-round games.

*The Windy City Pride 26 (Ill.) team that participated in the 2009 National Cup VIII Finals at the U-17 Girls Super Group level also competed in the U-16 Girls Super Group bracket in 2008. The squad recorded three points this year, defeating Freestate SA Phoenix (Md.) and losing to FC Delco (Pa.) and Les Bois SA Elite.

SUN., AUG. 2 | 8:36 AM ET | SETTING THE SCENE FOR CHAMPIONSHIPS
We're just one day away from crowning national champions to U-13 through U-17 girls' teams, and many of today's games will determine which teams will participate in those title contests.

To highlight a few games this morning:

*PDA Tsunami (N.J.) and Windy City Pride 39 (Ill.) will face off at 9 a.m. for the opportunity to meet New Jersey's Hibernian Express in tomorrow's U-16 Girls Super Group championship game.

*Similarly, the STN Dominators (Pa.) vs. Freestate SA Hornets (Md.) game at 10:45 a.m. will determine the opponent for Quickstrike FC 93s (N.Y.) in Monday's U-17 Girls Premier championship.

SAT., AUG. 1 | 4:31 PM ET | SANDRA SERAFINI
FIFA referee Sandra Serafini is on-site this weekend at the 2009 National Cup VIII Finals and National Collegiate Showcase mentoring and instructing attending referees, much like FIFA assistant referee Greg Barkey during the boys' events.


If anyone attended or tuned into the United States Women's National Team vs. Canada game on Wed., July 22, in Charleston, S.C., you witnessed Serafini's refereeing. Prior to her trip to Virginia Beach, the Raleigh, N.C., native was the head referee for that contest, in the city where US Club Soccer also has an office.

SAT., AUG. 1 | 1:40 PM ET | FINE DESIGNS
As you can see in the picture below, Fine Designs has a variety of logoed merchandise available for purchase. As always, customization is available.

Stop by the tent if you have the chance; it's located across from the US Club Soccer admin tent in the "festival" area of the Hampton Roads Soccer Complex.


SAT., AUG. 1 | 11:50 AM ET | RICK SINGER & UPDATE FROM HRSC
It's hard for many of us here at US Club Soccer to believe that August has arrived, signaling the near-completion of this year's National Cup.

But we're not there just yet; games are currently underway as teams look to boost their position and secure a spot in Tuesday's national championship games, while squads competing in the National Collegiate Showcase are displaying their skills to attending coaches and scouts.

Last night at The Westin-Virginia Beach Town Center, Rick Singer spoke to a capacity crowd of college-bound players and their parents, offering insight into the college recruiting and admissions process.

You can read the recap of Singer's offerings at the National Cup VIII Finals/National Collegiate Showcase here.

FRI., JULY 31 | 1:48 PM ET | EIGHT CLUBS BRING MULTIPLE TEAMS
Eight clubs have multiple girls' teams participating in the 2009 National Cup VIII Finals. They are as follows:

STN (Pa.): U-15 and U-17
FCX (Ill.): U-13 and U-14
Century United (Pa.): U-13 and U-14
Freestate Soccer Alliance (Md.): U-14, U-15, U-16 and U-17 (two)
Cal Odyssey (Calif.): U-15 and U-17
FC Pittsburgh (Pa.): U-13 and U-15
Windy City Pride (Ill.): U-16 and U-17
FCSA (Fla.): U-14 and U-16

After a morning of action, FCX's squads picked up a win and a tie, Century United went 1-1 and FCSA grabbed a tie in the club's two games.

FRI., JULY 31 | 8:11 AM ET | READY FOR PART II
The National Cup VIII Finals and National Collegiate Showcase for boys concluded on Tuesday, but we're just set to start the girls' event, which will run through Mon., Aug. 3.


Team check-in occured last night at The Westin - Virginia Beach Town Center, and games kick-off at 9 a.m. this morning.

Here's what else is on tap:

Fri., July 31:
*Rick Singer college recruiting and admissions seminar
7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at The Westin

Sat., Aug. 1:
*Rick Singer individual team/small group meetings
8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at The Westin

*Coach Social
7 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Gordon Biersch Brewery


TUE., JULY 28 | 10:27 AM ET | AWARDS AND NATIONAL CHAMPS
National championships are currently being awarded in a festive atmosphere here at the Hampton Roads Soccer Complex. Keep updated on the winners here and check back this afternoon for a complete recap.

MON., JULY 27 | 10:40 PM ET | CHAMPIONSHIP GAMES SET
Matchups for the eight national championship games for U-13 through U-17 boys' teams as part of the National Cup VIII Finals have been determined after three days of preliminary-round competition. Read the rest, including game-by-game previews, here...

MON., JULY 27 | 3:05 PM ET | WTKR TV-3 ON-SITE
Ted Alexander of News Channel 3 came on-site today to highlight the National Cup VIII Finals and National Collegiate Showcase. Alexander spoke with parents and players of the local Virginia Beach Legacy U-17 boys' squad as well as US Club Soccer Executive Director Bill Sage (below).


The segment will be shown Fri., July 31 at 11 p.m. Tune in if you can!

MON., JULY 27 | 12:02 PM ET | WE HAVE A B-DAY TO CELEBRATE
US Club Soccer’s Director of Events and National Cup VIII/National Collegiate Showcase tournament director Leo Garcia, aka el profesor, is celebrating his birthday today.


Entering the Hampton Roads Soccer Complex office, Leo was greeted with balloons and streamers, and he was also treated to some delicious white chocolate macadamia nut cookies.


Leo took a couple minutes from his busy day to answer a few questions...

What are your birthday plans here in Virginia Beach?
Celebrate with fellow co-workers and watch some good soccer.

What are your plans to celebrate when you get back home to Charleston, S.C.?
Celebrate with family and friends, then visit my family in Mexico and see the Mexico vs. United States World Cup qualifier in Estadio Azteca. 2-0 USA is my prediction.

The last time you were NOT running a major soccer event on your birthday?
2000. (The year before he began working for US Club Soccer)

What is the best part about celebrating your birthday while running a major soccer event?
Is that a trick question?

Happy birthday, Leo!

MON., JULY 27 | 8:48 AM ET | CHAMPIONSHIPS GETTING CLOSER
After the 9 a.m. games this morning, the first two match-ups will be set for tomorrow's championship games - U-16 Boys Premier and U-15 Boys Super Group.

We'll keep you updated on other important games throughout the day.

Also, thanks to those club coaches who showed up at our social last night at Virginia Beach's Gordon Biersch Brewery. We hope you enjoyed yourselves, and we look forward to Saturday's social for the club coaches on the girls' side.

SUN., JULY 26 | 3:02 PM ET | USA VS. MEXICO
It's 3:00 p.m., and that means that the United States Men's National Team is currently facing Mexico in the championship game of the 2009 CONCACAF Gold Cup.

The contest is a rematch of the 2007 CONCACAF Gold Cup final, which the United States won by a 2-1 score in come-from-behind fashion. I think it's safe to say that we are all interested to see how a largely MLS-based American squad competes against their fiercest rivals.

The teams will face each other again for an all-important World Cup qualifying match in just over two weeks at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, albeit significant roster adjustments are expected for that game.

As we have become accustomed to during US Club Soccer's multitude of summer events, MatchTracker will be our source for updates.

SUN., JULY 26 | 2:30 PM ET | MLS-VOLKSWAGON MOBILE TOUR
The MLS-Volkswagon Mobile Marketing Tour is on-site through today, so if you haven't had a chance to check it out, we recommend you head over towards the entrance of the complex and do so.


SUN., JULY 26 | 1:38 PM ET | MID-DAY UPDATE
After two days of U-13 Boys' Super Group play has concluded, four teams - Laguna Niguel Blue Boys (Calif.), Ironbound SC Fury (N.J.), 95 CSA Predator (N.C.) and Chicago G-Force (Ill.) carry six points with a pair of wins in as many games. At 10:45 a.m. tomorrow, Laguna Niguel faces off against Ironbound while Chicago G-Force takes on 95 CSA Predator in what will ultimately determine which two of the four teams advance to Tuesday's national championship contest.

In the parity-filled U-14 Boys' Super Group division, all but one team is still alive for a spot in the national championship game, which will also be held on Tuesday. Currently, Lake Grove United (N.Y.) and the Colorado Rapids are at the top of the table.

SUN., JULY 26 | 8:06 AM ET | RICK SINGER & DAY 2 OUTLOOK
Rick Singer spoke to a large crowd of players and parents last night at The Westin-Virginia Beach Town Center, offering insight into the college recruiting and admissions process. Singer will also meet with individual teams and small groups today for hour-long meetings, providing the opportunity for customized insight.


Check back for a more detailed feature on the college recruiting and admissions offerings at the 2009 National Cup VIII Finals and National Collegiate Showcase.

SAT., JULY 25 | 3:05 PM ET | PHOTOS
The National Cup VIII Finals and National Collegiate Showcase is a big event at the Hampton Roads Soccer Complex, and that is good news for attendees, as a variety of vendors and offerings are a part of our time here in Virginia Beach.

New this year is a photo and video partnership with F8 Sports Media. This partnership allows teams - as well as individuals from those teams - to request and purchase photos as well as digital videos of game play.


SAT., JULY 25 | 1:01 PM ET | HALFWAY THROUGH DAY 1
We're halfway through our first day of games at the boys' event, and so far, so good from the operations standpoint.

Turning towards the action on the field, there are five clubs that have multiple boys' teams working towards a championship at the National Cup VIII Finals. Those five clubs - each with a pair of teams in Virginia Beach - are as follows:

TSF Academy (N.J.): U-13 and U-14
North Stars (Pa.): U-16 and U-17
First Coast SA (Fla.): U-14 and U-17
MPS (Mass.): U-16 and U-17
Soccer Plus Academy (N.Y.): U-15 and U-16

We'll bring you periodic updates throughout the event on these teams' success.

SAT., JULY 25 | 8:30 AM ET | 30 MINS TO KICK OFF
In just 30 minutes, the 2009 edition of the National Cup VIII Finals will officially start with a U-14 Boys' Super Group contest as well as a pair of U-15 Boys' Premier games. The National Collegiate Showcase follows a short time later at 10:30 a.m. with three games.

FRI., JULY 24 | 11:15 PM ET | SET UP AT THE BEACH
US Club Soccer staff began arriving on Wednesday and set-up continued throughout Friday ahead of Saturday's first day of competition at the 2009 National Cup VIII Finals and National Collegiate Showcase [read the preview here]. For the second successive year, the Hampton Roads Soccer Complex in Virginia Beach, Va., is playing host to the culminating event of US Club Soccer's signature national championship event as well as the organization's second National Collegiate Showcase.

In a change from last year, the boys' and girls' events have been split into separate dates to better accommodate participating teams. Boys' teams will compete this weekend through Tuesday (July 25-28), while girls' squads will begin Fri., July 31 and compete through Mon., Aug. 3.