MLS Real Salt Lake

Real Salt Lake Wins Second Annual SUM U-17 Cup

Published on July 11, 2008 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Real Salt Lake News Release


RSL beats D.C. United at Dick's Sporting Goods Park to win prestigious SUM U-17 Cup trophy

NEW YORK and DENVER (Thursday, July 10, 2008) - Real Salt Lake prevailed over D.C. United in a penalty kick shootout on Wednesday to win Soccer United Marketing's second annual Youth Development soccer tournament, SUM U-17 Cup, after the teams played to a 1-1 tie through regulation and overtime at Dick's Sporting Goods Park.

Real Salt Lake's James Rogers, the tournament goal-scoring leader with seven goals, notched one in the first half. D.C. United's Michael Burgos scored just seconds after coming onto the field in the first half. The game advanced into a penalty kick shootout after two scoreless extra time periods. The game was decided when Real Salt Lake's goalkeeper, Mike D'Arrigo made a save on D.C. United's last shooter giving them the 4-3 edge.

Rogers, a forward from Salt Lake City, was named the tournament's Most Valuable Player. He recorded seven goals in five games. Rogers, who recently celebrated his 15th birthday, was one of the youngest players at the U-17 tournament.

The final capped a week of exciting games, training and events. The tournament featured 14 Major League Soccer U-17 Youth Development teams. In addition to their own games, the players were able to take in a professional game at Dick's Sporting Goods Park on July 4, where the Colorado Rapids beat the New York Red Bulls 4-0. The youth players also participated in a question and answer session with Colorado Rapids players Pablo Mastroeni, Ciaran O'Brien, Jacob Peterson and Rapids head coach Fernando Clavijo.

Held in conjunction with adidas ESP (Elite Soccer Program), which brings together the 300 top high school players in the country for a week of top-level training, the two events drew more than 150 college coaches from around the nation.

As tournament winner, Real Salt Lake will take home the coveted SUM U-17 Cup and they have also earned a spot in the prestigious 2009 Trofeo Quixote tournament held in Madrid, Spain. There they will compete against the best youth soccer clubs from around the world.

As runners up, D.C. United will get a berth into the Super Group in the 2009 Dallas Cup youth tournament in Frisco, Texas. The Super Group brings together the best teams in the United States and many well-known clubs from around the world to compete in arguably the United States' most prestigious youth tournament. The two semifinalists, Toronto FC and Chivas USA won a spot in the Dallas Cup U-19 group.

"We are delighted to join with Major League Soccer to bring the very best MLS U-17 teams into the 2009 Dr. Pepper Dallas Cup tournament," stated Executive Director Gordon Jago and tournament manager Randy Jones. "With our mutual aim to assist the development of the very best U.S. youth soccer players we feel that we are providing them the opportunity to compete against many of the top youth teams from around the world that enter the Dr. Pepper Dallas Cup each year."

About the SUM U-17 Cup As a part of the "Home Grown Initiative," the SUM U-17 Cup will focus on player development while providing elite competition for those involved. Offering its participants a great opportunity for dedicated, elite soccer players to meet in a high-level playing environment, the SUM U-17 Cup is both challenging and rewarding for everyone involved.

About adidas ESP Founded in 1997, adidas ESP has served over 1,000 of the finest youth players from across the United States and become the most recognized development camp in the country. adidas ESP is where the top high school age players come together to improve their soccer skills, test their competitive ability, learn about managing off the field challenges in preparation for college and other growth opportunities, and get scouted by college and professional team coaches.

Program alumni include Jozy Altidore, Michael Parkhurst, Brad Guzan, Maurice Edu and Chris Seitz.

About Soccer United Marketing Founded in 2002, Soccer United Marketing (SUM) is the preeminent commercial soccer company in North America. SUM holds the exclusive rights to the most important soccer properties in the region, including: all commercial rights to Major League Soccer; the United States Soccer Federation; promotional and marketing rights to the Mexican National Team tour on U.S. soil; management of the CONCACAF Gold Cup™, the region's premier tournament for national teams; marketing, promotional and broadcast rights to the prestigious Mexican club tournament - InterLiga™, and ownership and management of SuperLiga™ - the innovative club tournament in North America involving teams from MLS and Mexico's First Division, which will decide the continent's champion and secure an unprecedented $1 million dollars in prize money. Other properties managed by SUM include the FC Barcelona USA Tour 2006 and the Real Madrid American Tour 2005. This extensive list of holdings is represented by SUM's slogan: One Sport. One Company.

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Major League Soccer Stories from July 11, 2008


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