Thousands of Youth Soccer Players, Fans Heading to Montgomery County

The Maryland SoccerPlex in Boyds will host the U.S. Youth Soccer Association National Championship Series July 22-27 and the competition is expected to draw tens of thousands of spectators.

USYSA is considered the country’s most prestigious national youth soccer tournament, bringing together the nation’s top 96 youth soccer teams, in the under-13 through under-19 boys and girls brackets.

“U.S. Youth Soccer is excited to be back in Maryland for the 2014 US Youth Soccer National Championships at the Maryland SoccerPlex,” said Todd Roby, director of marketing and communications for U.S. Youth Soccer. “The national championships are the pinnacle of youth soccer for players ages under-13 to 19. Future World Cup, Olympic and collegiate standouts will be in clear sight and we know the local community will the appreciate the opportunity to see these future stars make memories that will last a lifetime at one of the country’s finest facilities.”

The president of the Conference and Visitors Bureau, Kelly Groff, said the tournament will boost travel to Montgomery County during a period when there is less business travel.

“In one week, the tournament will generate 8,000 room nights,” Groff said.

The tournament is also expected to elevate the profile of the Maryland SoccerPlex.

“Teams from across the country will attend this prestigious event,” said Trish Heffelfinger, executive director of the Maryland Soccer Foundation. “The college coaches and tournament directors who attend will start considering the SoccerPlex for their events, which will bring even more economic development to Montgomery County.

Earlier this year, the CVB and the Maryland SoccerPlex partnered on a Sports Economic Impact Study conducted by researchers at George Washington University. The study revealed that tournament visitors spent close to $13.9 million while in the Montgomery County area on food, lodging, entertainment, local transportation and retail purchases. The estimated economic impact of USYSA is $4 million to $5-million.