DES MOINES, Iowa (July 31, 2006) - The 2006 US Youth Soccer National Champions were crowned at the James W. Cownie Soccer Park where the top 48 teams in the country met to conclude the final leg of the 2006 US Youth Soccer National Championship Series. After this week’s three rounds of preliminary play, the top two teams in the country remained, Under-14 through Under-19 age groups, to play for their respective national championship cup.

Two teams entered the tournament poised to take their third championship in as many years. On Friday, the Eclipse Select (Under-18 Girls) were eliminated in a shootout against the Dallas Texans 88 Red North. Keeping hope alive, Arsenal FC (Under-17 Boys) advanced to the finals where they met, for the third time, Solar 89 SC to determine the champion and if Arsenal’s name would be written in the record books as the only boys’ team to achieve back-to-back-to-back national championships.

Other defending national champions, So Cal United (Under-15 Boys) and Dallas Texans 88 Red (Under-18 Boys), were also looking to continue a streak of their own. The streak will continue for another years as both sides won their respective championship finals.

The Under-19 Boys trophy, James P. McGuire Cup, is the oldest in youth sport dating back to 1935 with the inaugural youth championships. Hoisting the McGuire Cup on its 71st anniversary is Javanon SC from Kentucky.

Complete coverage available at http://championships.usyouthsoccer.org.

2006 US Youth Soccer National Champions
Under-14 Girls
Elmer Ehlers Cup - ISC Strikers (Calif.-South)

Under-14 Boys
US Youth Soccer National Cup - Valley United Blast (Calif.-South)

Under-15 Girls
Kristine Lilly Cup - Eclipse Select (Ill.)

Under-15 Boys
adidas Cup - So Cal United (Calif.-South)

Under-16 Girls
Patricia L. Masotto Cup - Real Colorado National (Colo.)

Under-16 Boys
D.J. Niotis - Baltimore Casa Mia Bays (Md.)

Under-17 Girls
Laura Moynihan Cup - Eclipse Select (Ill.)

Under-17 Boys
Don Greer Cup - Arsenal FC (Calif.-South)

Under-18 Girls
Francis J. “Frank” Kelly Cup - Dallas Texans Red 88 (North Texas)

Under-18 Boys
Andy Stone Cup - Dallas Texans '88 Red (North Texas)

Under-19 Girls
Ross Stewart Cup - Colorado Rush Nike (Colo.)

Under-19 Boys
James P. McGuire Cup - Javanon SC (Ky.)