U.S. Youth Soccer Region I Championships go to Kingston, Rhode Island

U.S. Youth Soccer has announced that Kingston, R.I., and Soccer Rhode Islandwill host the 2013 U.S. Youth Soccer Region I (East) Championships as part of the U.S. Youth Soccer National Championship Series, the country’s most prestigious national youth soccer tournament. The games will take place at the University of Rhode Island.

The championships are expected to draw more than 4,500 players and an estimated 10,000 spectators.

The U.S. Youth Soccer Region I Championships consist of U.S. Youth Soccer State Champions from 15 Eastern states, including the host Soccer Rhode Island, drawn wildcard entries as well as U.S. Youth Soccer Region I Premier League wildcard teams. Following individual state championship tournaments, the regional championships are the second step of the U.S. Youth Soccer National Championship Series.

The tournament will attract more than 260 boys and girls teams, ages Under-12 through Under-19, from the 15 Eastern U.S. Youth Soccer State Associations that make up U.S. Youth Soccer Region I (Connecticut, Delaware, Eastern New York, Eastern Pennsylvania, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York West, Pennsylvania West, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia and West Virginia).

“It is always exciting to begin planning future U.S. Youth Soccer Regional Championships, and part of that initial planning is choosing the best possible host city for each of our four regional championships,” said John Sutter, president of U.S. Youth Soccer. “Rhode Island was a great host in 2005 and we look forward to working with them again in 2013 for an even better tournament.”

Regional winners of the Under-13 through Under-19 brackets earn a berth to the 2012 U.S. Youth Soccer National Championships.

Region I (East) – Kingston, RI
University of Rhode Island
Opening Ceremony: June 27
Round Robin: June 28-June 30
Semis: July 1
Finals: July 2