Super Y-League News Release

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

TAMPA, FL - In less than one month some of the nation’s best young boys and girls talent will descend upon Bradenton, Florida for the Super Y-League North American Finals at the world-class facilities of IMG Academy. With more than 30 colleges, clubs, and national team scouts already comitted to attend, each player has the opportunity to shine on the biggest stage. The numbers are only expected to continue to grow.

Names such as Maryland, Akron, American, Portland, and Sporting Kansas City hold great weight in the sporting world and come December 7-11, all eyes will be focused on finding the next wave of soccer stars. Jozy Altidore, Juan Agudelo and 2010 Gatorade National High School Player of the Year Mollie Pathman each came through the Super Y-League, to name only a few of the hundreds of current and former college stars and professional players who have competed in the league since its inception in 1999.

“The Super Y-League Finals present a great opportunity for college coaches and scouts to have access to thousands of quality players at one great venue," Senior Director of USL Youth Leagues Jason Arnold said. "IMG Academy has world-class facilities and gives our players the opportunity to showcase their technical ability on immaculate playing surfaces. This gives college coaches and scouts a real look at players who have the ability to play at the next level.“

With 130 teams and such a diverse talent pool ranging from U12 to U17 players, the Super Y-League Finals present a unique scouting opportunity.

"College coaches like to scout the Super Y-League national finals because the event brings in male and female players from all regions of America and Canada," added Peter Mellor, USL National Technical Director. "It is an opportunity for them to scout players that they may not have known about before attending."

The total daily attendance for December’s Super Y-League North American Finals is expected to exceed 10,000, and fill more than 7,000 hotel rooms in Manatee and Sarasota Counties. Earlier this year, IMG hosted the Super-20 Finals, the Super Y-League Olympic Development Program (ODP) National Camps for boys and girls, and the USL PRO Combine.

The world’s largest and most advanced multi-sport training and education complex, IMG Academy has hosted a myriad of soccer team training camps in 2012, including clubs such as the Seattle Sounders, D.C. United, Columbus Crew, Sweden’s Malmö FF, as well as the U.S. Women’s National Team preparing for the London Olympic Games and the Antigua & Barbuda Men’s National Team preparing for World Cup qualifying.

Click here for a current list of colleges and scouts scheduled to attend.