McGuire Cup first awarded in 1935
Live on FOX Soccer at 7 p.m. ET Saturday, July 27
FRISCO, Texas (June 18, 2013) – The 2013 Under-19 Boys US Youth Soccer National Championship, James P. McGuire Cup, final will be broadcast live on FOX Soccer from Overland Park Soccer Complex in Overland Park, Kan., beginning with a pre-game show on Saturday, July 27 at 7 pm ET with kickoff at 7:30 p.m.
The Under-19 Boys James P. McGuire Cup is the oldest trophy in youth sports dating back to 1935 with the inaugural youth championships and played annually except during World War II. Officially known as the United States Soccer Federation National Junior Challenge Cup, the competition was renamed the James P. McGuire Junior Champion Cup in 1975, after the late United States Soccer Federation President. He played for the Brooklyn Wanderers in 1929, and later joined the Brooklyn St. Mary's Celtics who with McGuire at center half won the U.S. Open Cup. James McGuire also served on World Cup and various other FIFA committees, and earned an international reputation as an excellent soccer administrator and leader.
The McGuire Cup championship final is one of 14 taking place over the weekend and the culmination of the US Youth Soccer National Championship Series, the country's most prestigious national youth soccer tournament. The Series provides over 185,000 players (10,000 teams) from US Youth Soccer's 55 state associations, the opportunity to showcase their soccer skills against the best competition in the nation while emphasizing teamwork, discipline and fair play. The Series is known as the ultimate destination for the country's collegiate soccer coaches and the future of soccer.
"We are happy to the James P. McGuire Cup final on Fox Soccer again this year from the US Youth Soccer National Championships," said Todd Roby, director of marketing and communications for US Youth Soccer. "The McGuire Cup final on live television has become a great tradition and tribute to our most storied cup and one that thousands have played for over the course of its 78-year history. Our hope is that the broadcast inspires current and future players to continue to chase their dreams."
The US Youth Soccer National Championships consist of four US Youth Soccer Regional Champions in the Under-13 through Under-19 Boys and Girls age groups and the US Youth Soccer National League qualifiers in the Under-15 through Under-17 age groups to complete the field of 60 teams.