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USL News Release

Thursday, August 7, 2008

TAMPA, FL – The Midwest Division field is almost complete for the 10th anniversary of the Super Y-League North American Finals to be held Friday, November 21 to Tuesday, November 25 in Tampa, Florida. It was another exciting and compelling year of play in this competitive division and the teams still standing are sure to make an impact when they take the field again in late November.

U17 Boys
The Boys U17 Division was one of the most exciting races in all of the Super Y-League. Five of the eight teams finished with a record of .500 or better and all five teams were battling for the coveted three spots to the finals until the last weekend of the season. When the dust settled the Fort Wayne Fever finished at the top of the table with an impressive 5-0-2 record. The Fever went unscathed in this tough division while outscoring their opponents by a margin of 31-9. Those 31 goals were by far the most scored by any team in this age group and the Fever will lean on that offense if they want to continue their success in Tampa.

Joining Fort Wayne is their neighbors to the north, the Toronto Lynx Jrs. The Lynx allowed the fewest goals on the year and will hope to duplicate the success of their Super-20 team that made it to the championship game of the Super-20 North American Finals. Rounding out the U17 age group is the team that is sending more representatives then any to Tampa, the Kalamazoo Kingdom. The Kingdom held of Alliance Academy and the Chicago Fire to secure the final spot from the Midwest Division. Kalamazoo finished the season with a record of 5-2-0 and has outscored their opponents by a total of 13 goals on the season.

U16 Boys
The Fort Wayne Fever and Kalamazoo Kingdom claimed the two spots to Tampa in the Boys U16 Division. The Fever won the division with an 8-1-1 record and finished the season on an eight game unbeaten streak. Kalamazoo will bring a loaded offense to Tampa as the Kingdom exploded to the tune of 41 goals in just ten games and outscored their opponents by an impressive 30 goals. On the season the Fever got the better of the Kingdom with a hard fought 1-0 win and the two teams settled for a 3-3 draw on the final day of the regular season.

U14 Boys
It was a three team race in the Boys U14 division as the Kalamazoo Kingdom, Chicago Magic, and Fort Wayne Fever battled it out for division supremacy and the two allotted spots to Tampa. When the final whistle blew, it was the Kalamazoo Kingdom who finished at the top of the table. The Kingdom finished with 28 points and a record of 9-2-1. Kalamazoo started the season strong with a nine game unbeaten streak and used that quick start to carry them to the division title. The second spot to Tampa would be determined on the last week of the season when Fort Wayne and Chicago closed out their regular seasons together. Chicago was victorious 2-0 and secured the second spot to Tampa. The Magic ended their season on a five game winning streak to help them slip by the Fever and into the North American Finals. Chicago was led by an overpowering offense that connected on 44 goals in only 12 games.

U 13 Boys
The Chicago Magic dominated the Boys U13 division and will head to Tampa as heavy favorites. This traditionally strong Chicago club cruised through the regular season with a 10-0-0 record and outscored their opponents by an amazing 50-3 margin. The Magic won every game this season by at least two goals and hope that their impressive play continues in November.

Joining the Magic in Tampa are Alliance Academy and the Kalamazoo Kingdom. Alliance Academy was Chicago’s biggest threat in the league and with a 9-1-0 record showed their worth. In a preview of the level of play that will be expected in Tampa, the Alliance Academy fell to the Chicago Magic 2-0 on the final day of the regular season. This hard fought matchup closed out the season on a high note as both teams were firmly tested.

The final team to be joining Chicago and Alliance will be the Kalamazoo Kingdom. Kalamazoo finished the season 7-2-1 and was three points clear of fourth place finisher Indiana Invaders. The Kingdom outscored their opponents by 30 goals and their tough schedule in the Midwest Division has prepared them for all challengers in November.