What has almost 500 legs and is worth $10 million? Would you believe a youth soccer tournament in the middle of June?
Tournament officials estimate an economic impact of more than $10 million to the Valley when the top 248 Boys and Girls US Youth Soccer teams from Region IV compete in the West Championships June 18-24 at the Reach 11 Sports Complex, 2425 E. Deer Valley Rd., Phoenix.
“We are thrilled to host the US Youth Soccer Region IV Championships after a successful 2011 National Championships at Reach 11.” said Leslie Johnson, executive director of Arizona Youth Soccer Association. “We had great feedback after the event last year and look forward t hosting another high class tournament and again positively impacting out community.”
Round robin games, in which teams play each other once, begin June 18 and continue through June 20. Teams will take a break on June 21 before continuing with quarterfinal matches on June 22. June 23 is the first day of semifinals with the finals set for June 24.
The four regional winners will send U-14 and U-19 boys and girls teams to the 2012 US Youth Soccer National Championships July 24-29 at Manchester Meadows in Rock Hill, S.C.
The yearlong competition that begins with more than 185,000 players will end with one winner in each of the six age groups.
