The US Youth Soccer National Championships have been held annually since 1935. The tournament consists of six age groups (Under 14, 15, 16, 17, 18 and 19). The finals are a result of year round competitions in every state known as the US Youth Soccer National Championship Series. The tournament involves 185,000 players and more than 10,000 teams. State Champions as well as a few wildcard bids qualify for one of four geographically based regional championship tournaments. Regional winners advance to the National Championships as well as the top two teams from the US Youth Soccer National League (Under-15, 16 and 17 Boys and Girls Age Groups) qualify each year for the national championships. The tournament provides a premier stage for hundreds of the nation’s top collegiate coaches to come watch the best players in the nation perform.

US Youth Soccer Sponsors

• -Fox Soccer Channel
  Fox Soccer Channel
  Fox Soccer is an American television specialty channel, owned by News Corporation's Fox Entertainment Group, that specializes in soccer. It formerly broadcast rugby and Australian rules football, but is now dedicated strictly to soccer...
  
  - The Official Television Partner of US Youth Soccer
• -Kohl’s- The Official Department Store of US Youth Soccer
• -Liberty Mutual
  Liberty Mutual
  Liberty Mutual Group, more commonly known by the name of its primary line of business Liberty Mutual, is a diversified global insurer and the third largest property and casualty insurer in the United States based on 2010 net written premium. It is the 82nd company on the Fortune 500 list for 2011...
  
  - The Official Auto, Home, Life and Worker's compensation Insurance Sponsor of US Youth Soccer
• -Kwik Goal- The Official Goal and Field Equipment Supplier of US Youth Soccer
• -Bag Tags Inc.- Official Supplier of US Youth Soccer
• -MLS- The Official Grassroots partner of US Youth Soccer
• -WPS- The Official Grassroots partner of US Youth Soccer
• -Baymont Inn & Suites
  Baymont Inn & Suites
  Baymont Inn & Suites is a hotel franchise owned by Wyndham Worldwide and based in the United States.The chain began as an idea by the current CEO of Marcus Corporation, Steven Marcus to create a limited-service, discount-priced motel chain. The first property, located in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, opened...
  
  - The Official Hotel of US Youth Soccer
• -Clorox 2- The Official Stain Remover of US Youth Soccer
• -Degree- The Official Deodorant and Antiperspirant of US Youth Soccer
• -Coleman Repellents- The Official Insect Repellent of US Youth Soccer

Tournaments

State Cups
US Youth Soccer State Championships are held in all 55 US Youth Soccer member state associations year round. The Under-11 through Under-19 age groups are eligible for the state championships, and teams under-12 through under-19 may be eligible for the regional and national tournaments.

Regionals
These tournaments are divided into four regions: Region I (East), Region II (Midwest), Region III (South), Region IV (West). Only teams who have won their state tournaments are invited to participate in these tournaments (some wilde cards are added to round out the field).

Nationals
Includes ages Under-14 to Under-19. The nation’s top 60 teams compete in a round robin format to determine the top two teams to play for the national crown. (More info. Describe the setting and format of the tournament)

Competition Format/Rule

Each team must provide a game ball for each game. The teams are given a fifteen-minute grace period before forfeit is declared. The team listed first is the home team and they get to choose what jerseys they want to wear, although if there is a conflict in jerseys the home team must change. The coaches are responsible for the behavior of themselves other coaches and their players. Each player must wear an official uniform and MUST wear shin guards.

Each age group, both boys and girls, will be divided into two, three, or four sub-groups. The
teams in each sub-group will play one another in a round robin. Advancement to the semi-final
bracket of each age group, both boys and girls, is determined by the round robin results.

Round Robin Points: Three for a win, One for a tie, Zero for a loss.

This system shall be used to determine the sub-group winner at the end of the round robin,
when there is a tie and it is necessary to resolve a tie:

(1) Winner of head to head competition

(2) Most Wins

(3) Goal differential - (Maximum 4 goals/game)

(4) Least goals allowed (three (3) game total)

(5) FIFA

FIFA

The Fédération Internationale de Football Association , commonly known by the acronym FIFA , is the international governing body of :association football, futsal and beach football. Its headquarters are located in Zurich, Switzerland, and its president is Sepp Blatter, who is in his fourth...

 Penalty Kicks (immediately following the round robin games)

Two Sub-Groups of Four:

Semi-Final #1: Group A Winner vs Group B Runner-up.

Semi-Final#2: Group B Winner vs Group A Runner-up.


Three Sub-Groups of Four:

Semi-Final #1: Group A Winner vs the Wildcard.

Semi-Final #2: Group B Winner vs Group C Winner.


Four Sub-Groups of Four:

Semi-Final#1: Group A Winner vs Group D Winner.
Semi-Final#2: Group B Winner vs Group C Winner.

Age Group / Game Length / Overtime Periods / Ball Size

• U19 / Two 45’ halves / Two 15’ halves / #5
• U18 / Two 45’ halves / Two 15’ halves / #5
• U17 / Two 45’ halves / Two 15’ halves / #5
• U16 / Two 40’ halves / Two 15’ halves / #5
• U15 / Two 40’ halves / Two 15’ halves / #5
• U14 / Two 35’ halves / Two 10’ halves / #5
• U13 / Two 35’ halves / Two 10’ halves / #5
• U12 / Two 30’ halves / Two 10’ halves / #4

2009 National Champions

U14 Boys- West Coast FC

U14 Girls- Mustang Blast

U15 Boys- Baltimore Casa Mia Bays

U15 Girls- San Diego Surf

U16 Boys- Dallas Texans 93 Red

U16 Girls- De Anza Force

U17 Boys- CZ Elite

U17 Girls- Eclipse Select 91-92

U18 Boys- DSC 90 Green

U18 Girls- FC Bucks Vipers

U19 Boys- Baltimore Casa Mia Bays

U19 Girls- Colorado Rush Nike

See also

• Gatorade High School Soccer Players of the Year