Six Kingdom teams qualify for North American finals

Story courtesy Kalamazoo Kingdom Public Relations

Portage, MI (August 19, 2008) - Six of Kalamazoo Kingdom’s eight Super Y-League youth soccer teams have qualified to compete in the league’s North American Finals in Tampa in November. The Kingdom Club was ranked No. 8 of more than 100 clubs in 2007 by USL SYL, a national youth soccer league. The qualification of the Boys Under 13, 14, 16, 17 and Girls Under 14 and 16 teams should propel the Kingdom Super Y into an even higher ranking for 2008.

“The hard work of the Kingdom players, coaches, staff and especially the commitment of the players’ families has given the Kingdom organization and West Michigan Soccer great national recognition,” said Chris Keenan, Kingdom soccer director, “Our athletes will compete to win a national championship with the class and dignity that the athlete’s of West Michigan are known for.”

The SYL NAF, regarded as the top youth soccer competition in North America, is a five-day tournament drawing more than 130 of the best youth soccer teams in the United States and Canada for boys and girls ages U13 to U17.Teams qualified from their respective regions and will face the best from across North America in a quest to become league champions.

The national finals will include 5,000 players, parents and spectators. The 2007 finals featured teams from Vancouver to Miami, with some teams representing the top professional clubs in the nation, such as Major League Soccer's DC United and Red Bull New York.

The 2008 SYL Finals kicks off on November 20 with the first day of matches scheduled for November 21. Championship matches will be played on November 25.

U13 BOYS

The U13 Boys team coached by Chris Keenan has earned its first trip to the NAF. Kalamazoo finished the season 7-2-1 and was three points clear of fourth-place finisher Indiana Invaders. The Kingdom outscored their opponents by 30 goals and their tough schedule in the Midwest Division has prepared them for all challengers in November.

U14 BOYS

The U14 Boys, coached by Western Michigan University’s Men’s Head coach, Chris Karwoski, managed to qualify for the NAF for a second year running. The Kingdom finished with 28 points and a record of 9-2-1 and started the season strong with a nine-game unbeaten streak. The team’s 2007 campaign ended with a heart-breaking semi final 2 – 1 loss to the Los Angeles Slammers.

U16 BOYS

The U16 Boys, coached by Jim Fuller, makes their second consecutive trip to Tampa in search of the national championship. The team will bring a loaded offense to Tampa, as the Kingdom exploded with 41 goals in just ten games and outscored their opponents by an impressive 30 goals. Their 2007 campaign ended last year in the semi finals to powerhouse Los Angeles Arsenal.

U17 Boys

The most surprising qualification happened when WMU Men’s Assistant Coach Chad Wiseman guided the U17 Boys to the NAF. The Kingdom held off the Alliance Academy and the Chicago Fire to secure the final spot from the Midwest Division. Kalamazoo finished the season with a record of 5-2-0 and has outscored their opponents by a total of 13 goals on the season.

U14 GIRLS

The U14 Girls solidified their first trip to the NAF after falling to goal differential in 2007 to the Cleveland Internationals. The team will be heading to Tampa at the top of their game, finishing the regular season with three straight wins in which they outscored their opponents 12-1. Solid defense that held the opponents to seven goals in seven games should help the team compete against North America’s best offenses.

U15 GIRLS

The U15 Girls, coached by WMU Men’s Assistant Coach Chad Wiseman make their third trip to the NAF. The team finished with a record of 6-1-1 and was the only team to defeat the Cleveland Internationals this season. After failing to get a win in their first two games, Kalamazoo finished the season on a tear by going perfect in their final six contests. In 2006, the team made it to the NAF semi finals and in 2007 they lost in the group stage to eventual champs.