Florida Rush Press Release - www.floridarushsoccer.com

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

ORLANDO, FL – On the eve of their first season of United Soccer Leagues Super Y-League competition, the Florida Rush continues to demonstrate the high caliber of soccer they represent in Central Florida and the Southeastern U.S. In an unprecedented result following the final weekend of qualifying competition for the FYSA (Florida Youth Soccer Association) State Cup, the Florida Rush advanced 12 teams to the Challenge Round of 16.

“It really says something about the accomplishments of a team when they advance to the finals of any tournament, but to have each of our age groups able to finish among the top 16 teams in a state as large and talented as Florida is a tribute to the quality of our coaches, players and families,” stated Florida Rush President Richie Gray.

Among the standout clubs in this year’s FYSA State Cup competition, the Florida Rush is in good company. Of the 76 Florida Clubs who qualified teams for the 2009 state cup Challenge Round of 16, the only two clubs that come close to the Rush’s result of qualifying 12 teams are Super Y-League veterans H.C. United (nine teams) and Kendall Soccer Coalition (11 teams). Both H.C. United and Kendall SC have built solid Super Y-League traditions in the last several seasons and will no doubt create strong matches with the Florida Rush in divisional competition this summer and fall. For their inaugural Super Y-League season, the Florida Rush will compete on both the boys and girls side in the U13, U15 and U17 age groups.

Florida Rush Super Y-League players will be comprised of only the most talented players from their respective age groups, and in some cases accompanied by the standouts of the younger ages. These players have not only excelled in Florida State play, but are also developing their reputations regionally and nationally. For example, the Florida Rush currently has three girls’ teams which compete in US Youth Soccer’s Region III Premiere League. Additionally, Rush U17 Keeper Cody Uzcatequi was invited earlier in the season to join the US Under-17 National Team.

“This is the type of result we envisioned when we decided to combine Orange County Soccer and Inter-United Soccer in Central Florida to form the Florida Rush,” said Gray. “By themselves, each of those clubs had some notable accomplishments. But when pooled together, their talent combined with the direction of the Rush management template of player development, has expanded our level of play exponentially.”

Marcos Machado, Technical Director of the Florida Rush is responsible for staffing each age group with highly credentialed coaches who can deliver age-appropriate training, as well as making sure that training is consistently delivered. Machado constantly emphasizes how important it is for players to receive the best instruction.

“Even if you have talented players, they will not accomplish all that is possible for them without proper direction,” Machado said.

The depth of achievement for the 12 teams advancing from this year’s Florida Rush Academy Program demonstrates the club’s ability to consistently implement their training programs.

In each State Cup age bracket (U13 to U18) of both boys and girls divisions, a Florida Rush Team qualified to compete in the final rounds of the tournament. In order to achieve this position, each team had to win between two and four games in up to two qualifying rounds against teams paired by the FYSA. This placement is the largest number of teams to qualify from any single club in Florida. It signifies that each of the 12 Florida Rush teams is currently four victories away from an FYSA state championship. The competition continues Saturday, April 18, where all 12 Florida Rush teams will continue their attempts to move forward in the final rounds of the Florida State Cup. Any loss means elimination and any victory advances them toward a title. 

About the Florida Rush
The Florida Rush is the Central Florida Soccer Club created in 2008 through the merger of Inter-United Soccer Club and Orange County Soccer Club. Through a licensing arrangement with the Sports Partners of America, the Florida Rush combines its qualified staff with the proven Rush coaching, player development and administrative methodologies to build an organization focused on maximizing player development for youth players of all levels in Central Florida.

About the Rush
Rush Soccer is committed to the development of healthy youth through the game of soccer. With a firm belief in the value of sports in promoting the physical, mental and social well-being of our children, Rush Soccer is devoted to providing our members the finest soccer experience possible, teaching the fundamental skills of the game and developing athletes through organized leagues, teams, tournaments, training, coaches and athletic facilities. Rush Soccer is committed to making soccer a pleasant, safe, and rewarding experience for everyone involved, regardless of ability, and we believe that all players are winners because everyone is afforded an equal opportunity to explore their potential and pursue positive outcomes on and off the field.