The Open Cup Debuts in Decatur, Alabama

New Tournament Draws Soccer Teams from 10 States and Mexico to Decatur

The city of Decatur has been selected to hold the inaugural 2012 The Open Cup, an Alabama Youth Soccer Association and United States Youth Soccer Association (USYSA) sanctioned tournament hosted by Premier Soccer Services. Set for April 13-15, 2012, organizers are expecting approximately 150 teams from across the Southeast as well as international teams to compete bringing together some of the best youth soccer players to the fields of the Jack Allen Recreation Complex.

The three day tournament offers USYSA affiliated Premier, Challenge, Classic, and Academy level U9-U19 girls’ and boys’ competitive soccer opportunities. There will be a minimum of two divisions per age division/gender – an elite level of play and 1-2 competitive divisions tiered lower. Trophies will be awarded to the championship and runner-up teams in each age division.

“Decatur presented a great opportunity in providing the factors we needed for a successful event – great facilities, supportive city, CVB, and park and recreation department staff, and geographically central location for travel,” said Event Organizer Scott Spencer. “The response has been excellent with clubs from ten states coming and over six teams from Mexico including the 1^st Division pro club, CF Monterey Rayados. This will likely become an annual event that is one of the top club tournaments in the South.”

Professional soccer clubs from El Salvador and Mexico will be attending the tournament including CF Monterrey Rayados. CF Monterrey Rayados of Mexico is the current CONCACAF Champions League winners as the best professional club in North America. They recently competed in the 2011 FIFA Club World Cup which was won by FC Barcelona of Spain. In addition to these international professional clubs, MLS, the top division of professional soccer in the United States, will be sending youth teams from four different pro clubs: Columbus Crew, Chicago Fire, Houston Dynamo, and FC Dallas.

The Jack Allen Recreation Complex will also serve as host venue for the tournament April 12-14, 2013 and April 11-13, 2014. According to Spencer, the city of Decatur beat out potential host locations in Georgia, Florida, and Tennessee. For complete registration information on the tournament, visit www.premiersoccerservices.com.    

For more information on the Jack Allen Recreation Complex, visit www.decatursports.com. 

About Premier Soccer Services

Premier Soccer Services (PSS) is an events and consulting service organization in business since 2006. PSS organizes events and programs from the grassroots to the international and professional level. Services, programs, and events include youth soccer tournaments, coaching education clinics, soccer development programming, exhibition matches (domestic and international), international tours of professional clubs and national teams in the USA, international training tours and programs for US based teams to Mexico and Latin America, and international relations with Federation and professional clubs.

About The Decatur-Morgan County Convention & Visitors Bureau (DMCCVB)

The Decatur-Morgan County Convention & Visitors Bureau is a not-for-profit organization promoting tourism and economic growth in Morgan County.  For information on special events and attractions in Decatur, contact the DMCCVB at 800.524.6181 or 256.350.2028; or visit its website at www.decaturcvb.org.