Major League Soccer today unveiled the details of the 2006 Jetix Kids Cup, an annual action-packed, five-a-side international soccer event. The tournament celebrates the values of sportsmanship, fair play, cultural exchange and the pure exhilarating fun of athleticism. Teams of youth players ages 8-12 will compete in one of three Regional Tournaments in the Chicago, Washington D.C. and Denver metropolitan areas. Now in its second year, the Jetix Kids Cup is firmly established as one of the biggest events of its kind in the world.
Organized by Major League Soccer, the Jetix Kids Cup grants the two winning U.S. Under-12 teams - a boys' squad and a girls' squad - from each Regional Tournament a trip to Frisco, TX in May to compete in the Jetix Kids Cup National Finals. These lucky young players will witness some top level soccer first hand as special guests of FC Dallas for their regular season game against the New England Revolution at Pizza Hut Park. The boys and girls National Champions will then travel to Germany in July to represent the U.S. in the Jetix Kids Cup International Finals. This showcase event will be held in conjunction with the 2006 FIFA World Cup, and will feature five-a-side teams from around the world.
The U.S. Regional Tournaments are open to boys and girls age 8-12. The regional games will be held Saturday, April 8 in the Chicago area at the Betty Mattera Sports Complex in Worth, IL; Saturday, April 15 at the Maryland Soccerplex in Boyds, MD outside of Washington, D.C., and Saturday, April 22 at the Denver Polo Club Grounds in Littleton, CO. The Chicago Fire, D.C. United and the Colorado Rapids will all be involved in their local events, with player appearances and youth clinics serving to enhance the tournament experience.
Highlights of and promotions for each stage of the tournament will be airing throughout the spring and summer on ABC Kids, ABC Family and ToonDisney, in addition to regional coverage through Comcast networks.
"Major League Soccer is proud to join forces with Jetix to produce the preeminent youth small-sided tournament in the World," said David Wright, Senior Director, Partnership Marketing, Major League Soccer. "As the aspirational destination for thousands of youth soccer players throughout the country and abroad, MLS takes pride in supporting events that reinforce values such as self-respect, teamwork and healthy competition."
"We are pleased to be participating in an international event that brings kids together from around the world who share the same passion - soccer," said Adam Sanderson, Senior Vice President, Brand Marketing, Disney ABC Cable Networks Group.
Last year, the Jetix Kids Cup was an amazing adventure for all involved. The International Finals tournament was held during the 2005 Sierra Mist MLS All-Star Weekend, and featured U.S. regional winners from Chicago, Los Angeles and New York, and Latin American winners from Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. In the girls international final, the SoCal Blues from San Juan Capistrano, CA, defeated Carlos Drummond from Sao Paulo, Brazil by a score of 3-2. In the boys international final, Colegio Percepcao from Rio de Janiero, Brazil posted a clean sheet in their 1-0 victory against the Lynbrook Magic from Lynbrook, NY.
For more information about the Jetix Kids Cup and how to register, visit www.JetixKidsCup.com or call toll free, 1-866-696-KICK.
