The US Youth Soccer Region IV Championships kicked off today in Honolulu at Waipio Peninsula Soccer Park. State champions and select wildcards competed in 123 preliminary matches.

An exotic location like Honolulu presents distractions for players and coaches alike. Everyone agrees that the fields are great and the mountain view from the field is exquisite. But trying to tell 17-year-old girls that they have to stay in the air conditioning instead of swimming has proved to be challenging for some.

Christina Libke and her team FC Portland Sapphire enjoyed their weekend on the island with a trip to Pearl Harbor and some time at the beach, but now they are focused on soccer. The Under-17 team has been to regionals twice, but have yet to make it out of the finals.

"We are trying to keep our fitness and energy up to stay strong through the finals. Making it to the (US Youth Soccer) National Championships would be amazing," said Libke. "Everyone on the team, except five, have committed to universities." She isn't worried about the numerous college coaches on the sidelines being a distraction to her team. FC Portland Sapphire won today against the Riverside Renegades, 2:1. Annah Kennedy scored in the 49^th and Caroline Kreuz in the 64^th.

Alaska's Chugiak SC Under-15 Boys were excited and relaxed before their first regional game of their youth soccer career. Mackenzie Harris said this is the first time in six years that their club has been represented at regoinals. The Chugiak SC beat their rivals in the US Youth Soccer Alaska State Championships to earn their spot in Honolulu. Harris said, "The 8.5 hour flight to Hawaii is worth it. The fields are better here than where we play, but the weather is better at home." His team has a beach house on the north shore of Oahu and is enjoying relaxing with a great view. "We hope to do our best in our group and see what happens," said Harris. CSC lost 7:0 this morning against California North's Clovis Odyssey Red.

Head coach Patrick Rennie of Utah's Spartan United is proud of his team's win this morning (2:0 against RSC Arsenal 93 Premier (AZ). "We defended really well. We scored early and held it. James Rodgers scored both goals. The first was a great through ball and the second ball was won in the midfield and played well for the goal," said Rennie. "I was here in 2003 and I love it and I know the boys love it. Three weeks ago it snowed in Utah so we can appreciate the location. After being at regionals in Arizona and Boise, we prepare for competition at this level. Since they were U13s, we have been preparing them for the next steps, so they are ready for college coaches at the regional competition."

The Honolulu Bulls Under-17 Boys are playing on their home field this week. They have been to every US Youth Soccer Region IV tournament since they were Under-12. Their first year they made it to the semifinals and they have been in the quarterfinals ever since. With their many friends and family supporting them from the sidelines, they hope this year they will advance to the US Youth Soccer National Championships. The Bulls won 4:2 against GSC Arsenal 91 Premier (AZ) with Chance Bukoski (6:00), Blaine Gonsalves (16:00), Royale Komomva (45:00) and Keith Lum (48:00) scoring.

"Size is a big challenge this week, we are smaller than many of the teams," said Lucas Lam, "But we are used to the pressure and used to college coaches watching our tournaments on the mainland."

"It is great to have support with more families and friends watching. We don't often get to compete against such high caliber teams, so this is a great opportunity," said Iain McCoy.