State Cup

State Cup Wraps Up In The Heat
After dealing with rain and soggy conditions that led to postponements and rescheduled games throughout the first, second, and semi-final rounds, the finals for the U12-U16 teams were played with temps in the mid-80’s at kick-off.

Beadling led the medal count with 12 teams reaching the championship round; eight teams claimed the top spot. Penns Forest had three top finishers with two Arsenal teams garnering the titles. Moon, Erie Admirals, and Knoch Area each grabbed one championship.

The champions will represent PA West Soccer at the Region 1 Championships. This year’s regional tournament is set for June 26-July 1 in Portland, Maine. The regional winners advance to the US Youth Soccer National Championships in Little Rock, Arkansas in late July.

The tournament was plagued with weather related scheduling issues. Heavy rain forced the cancellation and rescheduling of the first round, as well as all but a handful of second round games. The rescheduled second round forced a revised semi-final and final schedule as well.

While the weather played a significant role in this year’s schedule…some teams didn’t think regulation length games were long enough. Seven finals went to overtime with one being decided by kicks from the mark. The semi-final round also saw it’s share of overtime. Four semi’s went to overtime with two being decided by penalty kicks.

The State Cup Committee would like to thank all the teams participating in this year’s tournament for their outstanding efforts on the field and their patience with the many weather related changes. Good luck to our teams moving on to the Region 1 Championships and the second step in the US Youth Soccer National Championship Series.

Click Here to view 2008 State Cup Final Four.

What is the US Youth Soccer National Championship/PA West Soccer State Cup?
The State Cup Championship is a tournament held within each state association. Teams whose age is from U-12 to U-19 (boys and girls) may enter the state cup competition provided they play in a qualifying league and U-12 to U-13's must play in the fall and spring. The league competition must consist of a minimum of six games against each of the different teams in the leagues. The winners of the U-12 through U-19 age groups will represent Western Pennsylvania at the regional tournament.

What are the US Youth Soccer Region I Championships?
The Region I Championship is one of four regional tournaments comprising the next-to-highest level of a nationwide tournament whose objective is to determine national champions. Regional Championships are held for age groups U-12–U-19 (boys and girls). Regional Champions in the U-14–U-19 age groups advance to the US Youth Soccer National Championships.

What is the US Youth Soccer National Championship?
The US Youth Soccer National Championship is the highest level competition of youth soccer in the country. Four teams—regional and state champions from their respective associations—compete in each age group to earn the title of US Youth Soccer National Champion. The tournament consists of round robin play with the two teams accumulating the greatest number of points playing a fourth game for the National Championship.