(Tampa, FL - November 16, 2005) The field of teams f
or the 2005 North American Finals is full, with 128 teams having earned a bid to the event, which will be held November 18-22 in Tampa, Florida.
Teams have begun to arrive into Tampa to begin their quest for capturing the 2005 Super Y-League season title. Tomorrow, many teams will be training at the Ed Radice Soccer Facility in preparation for their first match on Friday.
With just over 48 hours before the Finals kick off, expectations are high for this year’s event. There will be 6-12 teams in each girls bracket (U13-U17) and 16 teams in each boys bracket (U13-U17). On Saturday, November 19 at 6:30pm, the Super Y-League will host a showcase game that will be broadcast on Fox Soccer Channel December 3rd at 8:00pm ET.
The 2005 edition of the Super Y-League North American Finals figures to be a true continental championship as teams that are already assured of a trip to Tampa will be coming from as far away as Vancouver, British Columbia (Vancouver Whitecaps FC), Danville, California (Mustang SC) and Ottawa, Ontario (Ottawa Fury) and from as short a distance as Hillsborough County, Florida (HC United).
Many teams look at the opportunity to compete in the Finals as their way to earn not just a national reputation, but a North American one. “We have no proven ourselves as one of the top teams in the New England region,” said John Price, head coach of Seacoast United’s U17 Boys team. “Now it is up to us to go out and prove it at the North American level.”
Price’s team captain echoed the sentiments. “Here is an opportunity to prove we are worthy of a place in the Super Y-League North American Finals,” commented Nathan Krinsky. “We feel we have a point to prove to ourselves and to others that we deserve to be here.”
For other teams, their trip to Tampa is a well-deserved ending to a competitive season. “Our team and coaching staff was very dedicated and worked extremely hard throughout the Super Y-League season,” said Boston Renegades U17 Girls player Alanna Darling. “This is a competitive schedule and we are thrilled that our demands for high quality and effort have landed us at the top of the league.”
For 128 teams, the quest for the title begins Friday.
