(Winston-Salem, N.C.) June 30, 2009

Pennsylvania is one of the eight states represented at the Winston-Salem Regional. But if you go a little deeper, you’ll see that it wasn’t just the state that was represented at the tournament.

Pennsylvania Premier Alliance (PPA) had a huge presence in Winston-Salem this weekend. This Western and Central Pennsylvania based league is organized under US Club Soccer and has a commitment to player development and enhancing the knowledge of the game to up-and-coming players.

Pennsylvania Premier Academy is made up of seven elite clubs, all which were represented this weekend. These clubs include: Century United FC, Erie Admirals, Northern Steel Soccer Club, North Stars, Penns Forest, Pittsburgh Strikers and Premier Football Academy. With such a strong attendance at this particular regional, there was much success seen within the league teams.  Overall, each club made a significant impact on the tournament play, but more notably, seven PPA teams made it into the championship games. Both the U-13 and U-4 girls’ divisions had two PPA teams playing each other, Century United and Northern Steel.  North Star and Century United also had a championship match against each other in the U-16 boys division while North Star represented PPA alone in the U-17 boys division.

The U-13 girls division was one of three that played fellow league members for the title of Winston-Salem Regional champions. “Our particular age group in the PPA is very competitive. To be down here and to represent both the club, Century United, and PPA- it’s a wonderful experience” coach of Century United U-13 girls’ team. Century United ended up tie Northern Steel in the final match, 3-3. However, a mere tie was needed to take home the title based on goal differential.

“Being a PPA team and being the third [PPA team] to win is always amazing,” coach of U-13 girls Century United says. “I think it speaks to the quality that we’re producing out of Western P.A.”

Needless to say, many teams had great success at the Winston-Salem Regional with four teams actually winning the championship games and heading to Virginia Beach for the 2009 National Cup VIII Finals

To see the strong presence that Pennsylvania Premier Alliance had in the winners circle, check out the Winston-Salem Regional champions link.

U-13 Girls' Champions: Century United

U-17 Boys Champions, North Stars celebrate after winning their match in penalty kicks