California-South Wins 10 Titles, California-North 3, Arizona 2, Colorado 1

HONOLULU (June 22, 2008) - Sixteen US Youth Soccer Region IV Champions won titles today and the 12 teams representing the Under-14 through Under-19 boys and girls divisions have earned spots in the US Youth Soccer National Championships July 22-27 at Burns Park Soccer Complex in Little Rock, Ark.

As games wrapped up today, the champions celebrated and looked forward to a wonderful evening of relaxing and finally taking advantage of all Hawaii has to offer.

The Under-15 Girls Slammers FC earned their second shot at the US Youth Soccer National Championship title today after beating fellow California South team Real So Cal, 4:1. Last year the Slammers lost in the final game of the US Youth Soccer National Championships.

Under-16 Girls So Cal Blue is the only US Youth Soccer Region IV team to return to defend its US Youth Soccer National Championship. The Blues won today 3:0 against Real So Cal. The teams also played each other at the US Youth Soccer California South State Championship this summer. The Blues won that match as well, coming to Hawaii as the state champion. Real So Cal came as a wildcard after winning the US Youth Soccer Far West Regional League-South.

Blues assistant coach Duncan Love is making his third trip in a row to the US Youth Soccer National Championships. The first year, he was with the San Diego Surf (CA-S) and last year he attended with his So Cal Blues team. Head coach Tad Bobak was unable to attend the US Youth Soccer Region IV Championships and their state championship. Today, the team won for their coach.

"Coming back as the defending champions is hard. There is a target on their backs," said Love. "We only conceded goals in the quarterfinal game to Colorado Storm, which was one of our toughest games. We want to get there (US Youth Soccer National Championships) so badly to defend it. This is huge. The girls are so excited to get to the next level again."

The third time was a charm as the Under-17 Boys Diablo Valley Black Pearl advance to nationals after their third trip to the US Youth Soccer Region IV Championship.

Jose Cabeza and Jaysen Dyal scored goals to give Diablo FC a 2-0 halftime advantage. OSC possessed the ball through large parts of the game but was unable to get behind the Diablo FC defense to threaten goalie Anthony Ahedo. Off a corner kick in the 89th minute, OSC finally broke through for a goal but Diablo FC then held on to the ball through to claim its first-ever regional title.

Arsenal FC Under-14 Boys won the championship against La Rampage with a goal from Jake La Porte (34:00).

"We are following in the Under-19 Boys Arsenal's footsteps. This is the next generation of Arsenal soccer and they will be the next three-time champions," said Karim Souri coach of the Under-14 Boys Arsenal FC. "It is tremendous being here. They have been working so hard to try to get to the regionals and nationals. We are so excited to be here, and the kids have had a great time."

The Under-19 Sereno 89 White provided an exciting finale to today's games. The Sereno vs. Colorado Rush match finished regulation tied 1:1 after Sereno's Kevin Duckett scored in the 16^th and Rush's Joshua Belfrage tied the match in the 70^th. The teams both scored again in overtime. Rush had an own goal in the 115^th and Sereno's Conor Hearn scored in the 120^th to send the game to PKs.

Both teams had large groups of fans on either side of the stadium field cheering them on. Volunteers, administrators and other teams also stayed to watch the teams fight for a spot at the US Youth Soccer National Championship and a chance to win the James P. McGuire Cup. The James P. McGuire Cup is the oldest trophy in youth sport dating back to 1935 with the inaugural youth championships. The Under-19 boys division as the National Champion will raise the McGuire Cup. This is the 73rd anniversary of the storied cup.

"I am very proud of my goalkeeper's performance in penalty kicks," said Ally Maxwell, Sereno's assistant coach and the director of goalkeeping. Keeper Steven Spangler saved three PKs. "It was one of the best youth soccer games that I've seen in a long time. I was a little nervous when they scored late. They never give up; they never know when their beat and they found a way to equalize it. I thought both teams were evenly matched. I have the upmost respect for the coaches and players on Rush."

Spangler said, "This feels pretty great. I have been dreaming about this for a long time and it is exactly how I imagined it. The first time we came to regionals as a wildcard, last year this was the final match up and we lost, this is the third time and we knew we had to do it. I know we can win nationals. I want to win and get the golden glove and then give it to my dad. He has supported me more than anyone."

The first award of the day recognized a volunteer, not a team. Ron Hata was presented with the Volunteer of the Year award from the Department of Parks and Recreation for the City and County of Honolulu. Regional Park Manager Wayne Sasaki was on site before the first team awards ceremony to present a plaque and recognize all of his contributions to the US Youth Soccer Region IV Championships and other soccer events throughout the year at the Waipio Peninsula Soccer Park along with his wife Cora. Hata has worked tirelessly throughout to prepare and put on the championships this week, frequently being at the fields from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. His children have gone through the program and he enjoys giving back.