MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (Nov. 12, 2007) – State championships were awarded on Sunday, Nov. 11 at the inaugural Washington Cup in Tukwila, Wash., located just south of Seattle. Sanctioned by US Club Soccer, the Washington Cup was hosted by Starfire Sports with matches contested Nov. 9-11 at the Starfire Sports Soccer Complex. Complete Washington Cup results and information are available at www.starfiresports.com.

Crossfire Premier netted a pair of Washington Cup titles winning the Boys U13 and Boys U14 divisions. Both victories came by 1-0 scores over teams representing Northwest Nationals Red. Crossfire Premier’s U13 Girls also advanced to the state championship game, where they fell, 2-1, to Snohomish United Chika Lobos. 

Northwest Nationals Red, who advanced teams to each of the Boys’ Finals, did secure the U12 title with a 2-1 overtime win against Columbia Timbers Red. Also winning inaugural Washington Cup Championships were Eastside FC Red (Girls U11), Emerald City FC F95 Green (Girls U12) and Mt. Rainier FC ’93 Blue (Girls U15). 

All US Club Soccer clubs, academies and league team members located in Washington were invited to participate. The Washington Cup consisted of a round robin format with championship games played on the afternoon of Sunday, Nov. 11. Winners of The Washington Cup will be given preferential seeds at US Club Soccer’s 2008 National Cup VII Regionals. 

The US Club Soccer State Cup provides an alternative to the current “state cup” model by allowing clubs to develop a competitive format as they see best in their respective state. A US Club Soccer State Cup may have multiple competition levels, include home-and-home series, and have a flexible schedule and roster rules. Results from all US Club Soccer State Cups will be factored into the 2008 National Cup VII seeding. 

More information on US Club Soccer’s State Cup competitions, including an application to organize a State Cup, is available on the US Club Soccer website, www.usclubsoccer.org. US Club Soccer also sanctions the New Jersey Cup, New York Cup, NorCal Cup, North Carolina Cup, Ohio Cup and West Penn Cup. Information regarding the US Club Soccer National Cup can also be found online.

 2007 Washington Cup Championship Match Results 

Boys U12: Northwest Nationals Red 2 vs. Columbia Timbers Red 1 (OT)
Boys U13: Crossfire Premier Jenkins 1 vs. Northwest Nationals Red 0
Boys U14: Crossfire Premier Stauber 1 vs. Northwest Nationals Red 0  

Girls U11: Eastside FC Red 3 vs. Highline Premier FC Eagles Blue 1
Girls U12: Emerald City FC F95 Green 1 vs. FC Alliance ’95 Gold 0
Girls U13: Snohomish United Chika Lobos 2 vs. Crossfire Premier P. Lombard 0
Girls U14: Mt. Rainier FC ’93 Blue 3 vs. FC Vancouver Independence 0

 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 2,300 member clubs and league teams in 48 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, the Champions Cup and several Youth World Series events. US Club Soccer also conducts its own annual player identification and development program, id2. For more information, visit www.usclubsoccer.org.