Registration Opens Today for Sueño MLS 2011
March 27, 2011 - Major League Soccer (MLS) News Release
NEW YORK (Sunday, March 27, 2011) - The journey begins today for thousands of aspiring young soccer players as pre-registration opens for Sueño MLS 2011 - presented by Allstate, the premier nationally televised search for the best undiscovered soccer talent in the United States.
Starting this afternoon, Sunday, March 27, at 3 p.m. ET (2 p.m. CT), hopefuls will be able to register via www.SuenoMLS.com for an opportunity to participate in one of three open tryouts. The competition and personal stories will be chronicled by Univision Network's popular weekly sports show, "República Deportiva" (Sports Republic).
Now celebrating its fifth year, Sueño MLS 2011 - presented by Allstate will be staged by three MLS teams, including first-time host, Philadelphia Union, as well as returning hosts Chicago Fire and FC Dallas. Up to 400 tryout spots will be made available at each city on a first come, first served basis. In past years, spots have filled up in only a few hours following the start of registration. A waiting list will be available for those who are not able to register for the initial spots.
In each city, players will be battling for one of five invitations to a week-long trial with their respective youth development host club and an invitation to the exciting four-day "Final Event" which will be staged for the first time in the greater Dallas area. The finals will include training sessions, scrimmages, guest celebrity scouts, and an opportunity to meet some of the League's biggest stars. The ultimate champion will be crowned on Sunday, May 8, live on "República Deportiva" (see calendar below for more information).
Univision Network's "República Deportiva," the highest-rated weekly sports magazine program on Spanish-language television in the United States which airs nationally every Sunday, will follow the action weekly in a unique "reality show within a show" format.
New to Sueño MLS for 2011, is the Allstate "Good Handsé" top goalkeeper award - El Portero Allstate. One goalkeeper at each of the three local tryouts will be selected as the top goalkeeper, and at least one of the three will be chosen to join the other local finalists at the national final. "El Portero Allstate" will be selected in addition to the Sueño MLS 2011 - presented by Allstate champion.
Since its inception in 2007, Sueño MLS has given thousands of talented young athletes a chance to showcase their skills and impress youth development scouts. The original winner, forward Jorge Flores of Anaheim, Calif., is now entering his fifth year with MLS' Chivas USA. He also represented the United States Under-20 National Team at the 2009 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Egypt. The 2008 FC Dallas Sueño MLS winner, Gabriel Funes Mori, played with the FC Dallas Juniors U-18 team before moving on to Argentina's legendary side River Plate, and later starred on the Argentine Under-20 National Team.
Tryouts for Sueño MLS 2011 - presented by Allstate, kick-off the weekend of Saturday, April 9, with two days of open tryouts in Frisco, TX, home of FC Dallas. The program then moves to Chicago on April 16, and on to Philadelphia April 23. Specific tryout locations will be announced at a later date. The "Final Event" will take place May 5-8, at Pizza Hut Park in Frisco, TX, where League scouts and celebrity guests will be on hand to provide guidance and select the ultimate winner in front of a live Univision national television audience on Sunday, May 8.
MLS partners participating in Sueño MLS 2011- presented by Allstate, also include adidas, Degree Men, Gatorade, Pepsi and Volkswagen.
2011 TIMELINE
March 27 Live announcement on Univision Network's República Deportiva April 9-10 Local market tryouts (FC Dallas)
April 17-17 Local market tryouts (Chicago Fire)
April 23-24 Local market tryouts (Philadelphia Union)
May 5-8 "Final Event" in Frisco, TX, hosted by FC Dallas
May 8 Announcement of winner on Univision Network's República Deportiva
PARTICIPANT ELIGIBILITY: Eligible players must be between the ages of 14 and 18 years old (with appropriate identification) and retain their amateur status. Current collegiate student athletes will not be permitted to attend the final event in Frisco, TX. Sueño MLS participants will be responsible for all personal expenses associated with the local market tryout, including travel to local tryouts, lodging, food, soccer equipment (shoes, training gear, etc.), etc. Program sponsors will cover all expenses for eighteen (18) participants selected to attend the final event in Frisco, TX. For more information, please visit www.SuenoMLS.com. Participation in the event is free. Players may not register for more than one city.
SUEÃâO MLS - PAST WINNERS:
Year Name Home Town Position Host Team
2007 Jorge Flores Anaheim, CA Forward Chivas USA
2008* Gabriel Funes Mori Arlington, TX Forward FC Dallas
2008* Briant Reyes Downey, CA Midfielder Chivas USA
2009 AlbertoLopez Aurora, Ill Midfielder Chicago Fire
2010 Nelson Castro Houston, TX Defender Houston Dynamo
*Co-winners in 2008
Major League Soccer Stories from March 27, 2011
- Registration Opens Today for Sueño MLS 2011 - MLS
- Red-and-White drop tough game to defending champs - Club Deportivo Chivas USA
- Wondolowski Brace Seals 2-0 Road Win For Earthquakes Against FC Dallas - San Jose Earthquakes
- Real Salt Lake Dominates 4-1 over L.A. Galaxy - Real Salt Lake
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