Annual International Soccer Tournament Held in Decatur Changes to Split Weekend Tournament and Adds College Exhibition and Showcase Approximately 230 youth soccer teams to participate in fourth annual Open Cup set for April 10-12 and April 17-19, 2015.

Decatur, Ala. (April 6, 2015) – The Open Cup, an Alabama Youth Soccer Association and United States Youth Soccer Association sanctioned tournament, is set to return to Decatur the second and third weekends this month and has added a college exhibition and showcase to its program. The split weekend tournament is expected to draw in 230 teams from across the United States as well as internationally for a total of six days of matches at the Jack Allen Recreation Complex. Girls will play April 10-12, 2015, with the boys following April 17-19.   

According to Event Organizer Scott Spencer, approximately 230 teams from over 14 states as well as international teams from El Salvador, Bermuda, and Mexico are expected for the fourth annual tournament. The tournament is expected to generate more than 3,000 hotel room nights and nearly $1.7 million in direct spending in Decatur and surrounding areas. Matches will be held at the Jack Allen Recreation Complex, one of the South’s premier soccer complexes boasting 11 fields and two championship fields with seating for up to 3,000 spectators, with consolation games on Sunday at the Spirit of America fields in Point Mallard Park.

The Open Cup 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 champion and runner-up team in each age division.

New for 2015, the Open Cup has added a Girls College Exhibition and Showcase event where top Division 1 programs will meet in Decatur for a matchup along with recruiting opportunities for U15-U19 age groups. Set for Saturday, April 11, six universities will compete in the event while also leading the list of recruiting programs for club teams at the Open Cup. College games will be coordinated within the Open Cup schedule so participating girls have the opportunity to watch the matches while also maximizing the schedule to allow college coaches time to scout and recruit the participating teams in the older age groups.

College Exhibition and Showcase Schedule                 April 11, 2015

Time	Field 1 (Stadium)	Field 2	Field 3
11AM	Alabama vs Evansville	Samford v Memphis	MTSU vs South Alabama
11:50AM	Alabama vs MTSU	Samford vs South Alabama	Evansville vs Memphis
12:40PM	Alabama vs Samford	MTSU vs Evansville	Memphis vs South Alabama
4PM	Final (top 2 teams with points)

The boys’ weekend also brings excitement to Decatur April 17^th-19^th. A 5-time champion of the Central American Academy Championship, The Menedy Cup, FESA of El Salvador is arguably the best academy in Central America to compete in the U19 age group and is registered for the 2015 Open Cup. One of the top rated pro club academies, the Monterey Rayados is retuning to the Open Cup after competing in 2012 and 2013. The 3-time CONCACAF champions are the co-host of the Seaworld Copa Rayados Internacional held in San Antonio during Thanksgiving week and are offering a special promotion. Any team that beats the 2001 or 2000 Monterrey Rayados Academy team at the Open Cup will be offered free entry in to the Seaworld Copa Rayados Internacional and free lodging during the tournament.

Parking passes for the entire weekend are $10 per vehicle. For complete registration information or more information on the tournament, visit www.premiersoccerservices.com.    

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