US Youth Soccer regional championship expected to bring $7.3 million to Frisco, Plano

by PegNews wire

The 2009 US Youth Soccer Region III (South) Championships, to be played June 18–24, is estimated to provide more than $7.3 million in economic impact to the areas of Frisco and Plano, Texas.

Local restaurants, hotels, retail stores and others will benefit from the more 3,600 players and their families who will take part in the seven-day tournament. Visitors to the Frisco and Plano area will book an estimated 12,000 room nights at area hotels.

The top 184 US Youth Soccer Boys and Girls teams, including about 20 teams from host North Texas State Soccer Association, will compete at Pizza Hut Park in Frisco and Russell Creek Park in Plano for the US Youth Soccer Region III Championships.

"North Texas Soccer is proud to be chosen as host of the 2009 US Youth Soccer Region III Championships being held at Pizza Hut Park in Frisco and Russell Creek Park in Plano. These two cities are in the heart of Collin County, just north of Dallas, and lay claim to two of the finest soccer complexes in the nation, boasting a total of 37 fields," said Bob Black executive director of the North Texas State Soccer Association, who hosted the 2005 event. "Both Frisco and Plano offer an excellent setting for top-notch soccer games. The 10,000 plus players, coaches, referees and spectators representing the top clubs and teams throughout the south will descend upon north Texas this June and are sure to enjoy the area."

The US Youth Soccer Region III Championships, which will feature top teams in the Under-14 through Under-19 age groups, begin Thursday, June 18, with opening ceremonies, the venue will be announced soon. Round robin games are Friday, June 19, through Sunday, June 21 at both complexes. Quarterfinal matches are Monday, June 22, and semifinals are Tuesday, June 23, both at Pizza Hut Park. The US Youth Soccer Region III Champions will be crowned following final games on Wednesday, June 24, at Pizza Hut Park.

US Youth Soccer State Cup Champions and select runners-up from 12 US Youth Soccer State Associations in Region III, including host North Texas State Soccer Association will participate. The other State Associations represented are Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Texas and Tennessee.

Regional winners of the Under-14 through Under-19 brackets earn a berth to the 2009 US Youth Soccer National Championships to be played July 21-26, at Citizens Bank Field at Progin Park in Lancaster, Mass.

One of the 12 national crowns awarded is the James P. McGuire Cup, the oldest trophy in youth sport dating back to 1935 with the inaugural youth championships. The Under-19 Boys National Champion will hoist the McGuire Cup on the 74th anniversary of the storied cup.

The dates and locations for the 2009 US Youth Soccer Regional Championships and the 2009 US Youth Soccer National Championships are:

Source: US Youth Soccer