Wednesday, November 18, 2009
New York, NY – The New York Magic U-16 boy’s Super Y team is preparing to “win” the USL Super Y-League North American Finals held annually in Tampa, Florida this coming weekend. The U-16 boy’s team is the only New York Magic team (of nine teams) to advance to the USL’s annual youth “Soccerfest” this year. The Magic U-16s placed first in their division and finished the 2009 regular season with a record of 11-2-4. They outscored their opponents 42-21 and combined for the seventh-best defense in the 18-team Mid-Atlantic division. The Magic is the number one seeded team in the Mid Atlantic Division and will play out of Group A. Group A is comprised of: the Chicago Fire, Alpharetta United, and TSF Academy.The players had their final practice in Manhattan, New York yesterday before traveling to Florida. The president of the New York Magic franchise, Lyndelle T. Phillips and the W-League head coach Nino De Pasquali visited the team’s practice and distributed New York Magic warm up suits, bags, and balls to a very excited and appreciative group of players.
The New York Magic U-16 boys head coach, Shawn Hart said “We are looking forward to playing very competitive national games and representing the New York Magic organization.” “We travel to Florida to win the finals, not to just have fun.”
The New York Magic U-16 boy’s team will play their first game against the Chicago Fire which is the number one seed in the Midwest Division on Friday, November 20. The game will start at 9:00AM at Land O’ Lakes Rec Center – Field A in Tampa, Florida. Please come to watch and support the Magic players at the most competitive Soccerfest!!
North American Finals The USL Super Y-League North American Finals is the culmination of season-long play-in preparation for the largest youth league in North America. Teams from Vancouver, British Columbia face squads from Miami, Florida, a distance of more than 3,450 miles.
A total of 140 teams participate in 10 age/gender divisions. The top 16 boys teams from six regions of the US and Canada compete in one match per day for five days until a champion is crowned. Throughout the regular season, players are scouted by opposing coaches and recommended for inclusion in ODP programs each spring. That same scouting process is ramped up during the North American Finals by the addition of college scouts.
Josmer Altidore played in the North American Finals, as did hundreds of soon-to-be professionals (Bryan Arguez) and standout collegiate (Dilly Duka/Ingrid Wells) players. George Malki (US Residency Program, 2008) was identified for inclusion in US National Team Programs through the North American Finals.
Another positive aspect of the North American Finals is the presence of USL’s 125+ professional and amateur club officials during the event, bringing together a top-to-bottom pyramid of soccer development otherwise unseen on a national scale in the US.
Please also see relevant articles:
