Today, Soccer America Magazine released it's second annual list of the top 20 boys and girls soccer programs in the country, and for the second year, the Texans SC is in this list. This year the Texans is ranked 8th. The full release from US Youth Soccer is below. Congratulations are also in order to the Challenge SC for making the top 20 girls programs in the county again. The Texans Soccer Club would like to thank Klein Soccer Club for the use of their facilities.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Todd Roby, US Youth Soccer - 1.800.4SOCCER; troby@usyouthsoccer.org

America's Best Play US Youth Soccer

Soccer America announces top 20 boys and girls youth soccer clubs in America

RICHARDSON, Texas (February 3, 2005) - Today forty US Youth Soccer clubs were named "America's Best Youth Clubs" by Soccer America magazine. The common denominator of success was US Youth Soccer.

"We congratulate these clubs for receiving this honor," said David Messersmith, president of US Youth Soccer. "We are very proud of our brand of soccer and it's ability to reach all ages and levels. It's wonderful to see Soccer America recognize the work of our coaches, players and their support systems as evidenced in their criteria used to select 'America's Best Youth Clubs'."

For the second year, Soccer America Magazine selected the top 20 boys and girls clubs, based on success of their teams in national youth competitions over the last three years, with an emphasis on success at the Regional and National level of the US Youth Soccer National Championship Series, and recognition for players they have sent to national and US Youth Soccer ODP regional teams in 2004.

"Soccer America's acknowledgement further solidifies US Youth Soccer's position as the leader in providing player development opportunities through such as programs as the US Youth Soccer National Championship Series and the US Youth Soccer Olympic Development Program," said Jim Cosgrove, executive director of US Youth Soccer.

Boys Top 20
Club State Associaiton
1 Chicago Magic - Illinois Illinois
2 FC Delco Eastern Pennsylvania
3 Irvine Strikers California South
4 Casa Mia's Bays Maryland
5 CASL Elite North Carolina
6 Scott Gallagher Missouri
7 La Jolla Nomads California South
8 Texans SC South Texas
9 Sereno Golden Eagles Arizona
10 Concorde Fire Georgia
11 Sockers FC Illinois
12 Arsenal FC California South
13 Dallas Texans North Texas
14 Michigan Wolves Michigan
15 So Cal United California South
16 St. Louis SC Missouri
17 Colorado Rush Colorado
18 PDA New Jersey
19 Albertson SC Eastern New York
20 Vardar Michigan

Girls Top 20
Club State Associaiton
1 San Diego Surf California South
2 PDA New Jersey
3 Slammers California South
4 Bethesda SC Maryland
5 Pleasanton Rage California North
6 Sereno Golden Eagles Arizona
7 Dallas Texans North Texas
8 Michigan Hawks Michigan
9 Eclipse Select Illinois
10 Laguna Hills Eclipse California South
11 Mustang Soccer California North
12 So Cal United California South
13 Challenge SC South Texas
14 HBC Soccer Eastern New York
15 Peachtree City Georgia
16 Gwinnett Soccer Association Georgia
17 World Class Soccer Connecticut
18 So Cal Blues California South
19 Windy City Pride Illinois
20 Colorado Girls Soccer Academy Colorado

"It is still the youth game at its highest level that drives our sport," said Lynn Berling-Manuel, CEO and publisher of Soccer America in reference to the magazine's focus on youth clubs "the game that continues to drive soccer in America."

The US Youth Soccer National Championship Series is the crown jewel of youth soccer in America where more than 129,000 boys and girls on over 7,200 teams, in age groups Under-12 through Under-19, compete for their respective US Youth Soccer State Championship titles in all 55 State Associations. From there, State Cup Champions earn the right to compete in one of four US Youth Soccer Regional Championships. Those graced with the skill, ability and determination to earn a birth at the 2005 US Youth Soccer National Championship to be played at Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex.

The US Youth Soccer Olympic Development Program (US Youth Soccer ODP) was formed in 1977 to identify a pool of players in each age group from which a National Team will be selected for international competition; to provide high-level training to benefit and enhance the development of players at all levels; and, through the use of carefully selected and licensed coaches, develop a mechanism for the exchange of ideas and curriculum to improve all levels of coaching. US Youth Soccer ODP is the first and original ODP program. US Youth Soccer ODP is the only elite player development program that can claim members of Major League Soccer and former Women's United Soccer Association, as well as a majority of current and past national and youth team members, as alumni. And, with programs in all 55 State Associations as well as regional and national championships and participation in international tournaments, US Youth Soccer ODP continues to lead the way for elite player development in the United States.

In addition to elite player development and competition, US Youth Soccer offers programs for more than 3 million youth players across the United States, including the American Cup, TOPSoccer, Soccer Start and the Coaches Connection to name a few. To learn more about US Youth Soccer and the number of programs offered to players, coaches, referees, administrators and parents visit www.USYouthSoccer.org.

For more information on these clubs and Soccer America, including subscription information, please visit www.SoccerAmerica.com or click here for the boys and girls story links on their web site.

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About US Youth Soccer - US Youth Soccer - The Game for ALL Kids!(r) is the largest youth sports organization in the United States and member of the US Soccer Federation, the governing body of soccer in America. US Youth Soccer registers more than 3.2 million players annually, ages 5 to 19, in 55 member state associations. US Youth Soccer programs provide a fun, safe and healthy environment for players at every level of the game.