AC Milan Continental Cup Partnering With United Soccer Leagues To Promote Awareness And Advance Tournament
The Greater Cleveland Sports Commission in conjunction with the AC Milan Continental Cup International Youth Soccer Tournament is thrilled to announce a new partnership with United Soccer Leagues (USL), the largest organization of elite-level soccer
Online, October 12, 2010 (Newswire.com) - Cleveland, OH - The Greater Cleveland Sports Commission in conjunction with the AC Milan Continental Cup International Youth Soccer Tournament is thrilled to announce a new partnership with United Soccer Leagues (USL), the largest organization of elite-level soccer leagues in North America. The partnership will mutually promote and develop awareness and exposure among youth soccer clubs both domestically and internationally.
"We are so pleased to be partnering with such a prestigious organization as United Soccer Leagues as we continue to build the Continental Cup tournament on an elite level," stated David Gilbert, President and CEO of the Greater Cleveland Sports Commission.
Now in its sixth year, the Continental Cup is on pace to being the fastest growing international youth sports event in the world. Athletes from across the globe will travel to Cleveland, Ohio from June 30 - July 3, 2011 for an opportunity to compete against high-caliber teams in an exciting, cross-cultural environment. Recruitment is well underway for the 2011 tournament which is now comprised of the AC Milan Continental Cup soccer tournament, Cleveland Indians Charities Continental Cup baseball tournament, Cleveland Cavaliers Continental Cup basketball tournament and the newly added Continental Cup lacrosse tournament. For more information, or to register for the 2011 Continental Cup, please visit www.continental-cup.com.
"The AC Milan Continental Cup has quickly grown into one of the premier youth soccer tournaments in North America thanks to the hard work by the Greater Cleveland Sports Commission, and we're excited by the potential our partnership presents," USL CEO Alec Papadakis said.
The partnership will allow the AC Milan Continental Cup to have a strong presence at the upcoming Super Y-League North American Finals November 19-23 in Tampa, Florida, while USL will explore promotional opportunities at next summer's AC Milan Continental Cup. The Super Y-League North American Finals, regarded as one of the top youth soccer events in North America, is a five-day tournament that includes more than 130 of the best U-13 to U-17 boys and girls soccer teams in the U.S. and Canada. This year's event will include more than 5,000 players, parents and spectators.
Founded in 1999, the USL Super Y-League is dedicated to the progression of future professional players. Averaging 700 teams since 2004, the Super Y-League has steered the course for development of elite clubs, players, and coaches. Affiliated with U.S. Soccer, the Super Y-League ODP Program has opened countless doors for players to be identified for U.S. National Team programs. The Super Y-League contains the youth academies of Major League Soccer clubs, USL PRO clubs, Premier Development League and W-League clubs. The league also serves clubs looking to develop the game from the ground up. Top youth academies such as the Chicago Magic, Mass Premier Soccer and TSF Academy have been members of the league for several seasons. USL's Super Y-League has revolutionized youth player development in North America.
ABOUT THE UNITED SOCCER LEAGUES (USL):
Founded in 1986, United Soccer Leagues has become the largest organization of elite-level soccer leagues in North America by building on the vision, commitment and passion of players, fans and investors. Now in its third decade of operation, USL continues to be a driving force in the growth of soccer in the United States, Canada and Caribbean. USL provides a clearly defined path for the progression of male and female soccer players beginning at the youth level (USL Super Y-League/USL Super-20 League), continuing through the amateur level (USL Premier Development League/USL W-League) and up to the professional level, both outdoor and indoor (USL PRO, I-League). A platform for countless players to reach for their dreams each year, USL is devoted to developing the sport at the grassroots level in every community across the region. For more information, please visit www.uslsoccer.com.
ABOUT THE CONTINENTAL CUP:
The Continental Cup Tournament is the first ever created event of the Greater Cleveland Sports Commission and has grown tremendously since its inaugural year in 2006. The vision was to create a large, vibrant, annual civic event that celebrates internationalism, youth diversity and sportsmanship. Players from across the globe are given the opportunity to compete against one another in an exciting, cross-cultural environment. In addition, athletes are given the chance to showcase their skills in front of a variety of coaches and professional scouts.
The 2010 Continental Cup International Youth Sports Festival was a huge success as 3,000 athletes from 16 different countries and 6 continents traveled to Cleveland this past July to compete in the AC Milan Continental Cup, Cleveland Indians Charities Continental Cup and the Cleveland Cavaliers Continental Cup tournaments. Participating countries included: Australia, Barbados, Bermuda, Brazil, Cameroon, Canada, Colombia, Cyprus, India, Kenya, Nigeria, Puerto Rico, St. Lucia, Singapore, United Kingdom and across the United States. The Greater Cleveland Sports Commission is pleased to announce that boys and girls U16 and U18 lacrosse will be joining soccer, baseball and basketball in 2011.
The National Association of Sports Commissions also recognized the Continental Cup as the nation's 2010 Outstanding Locally Created Event. For more information, please visit www.continental-cup.com.