6. SUPER Y-LEAGUE: MLS clubs send youth teams to finals

• by Soccer America , Nov 16, 2006

The 2006 Super Y-League North American Finals begin Friday and run through next Wednesday in the Tampa area with more than 140 teams competing in 10 boys and girls age groups (U-13 to U-17).

2006 Super Y-League North American finalists

MLS's New York Red Bulls and D.C. United will be represented. The Red Bulls will have teams in the U-17, U-15 and U-14 boys divisions; D.C. United will have teams in the U-15 and U-13 boys divisions.

The Red Bulls' U-17 team, the defending age group champion, will face longtime Super Y-League power Kendall SC of Florida on Saturday an the game will be aired on Dec. 2 on Fox Soccer Channel at 5 pm ET.

The Vancouver Whitecaps and Richmond Kickers, the USL D1 and D2 champions, will both be represented in Tampa. Many traditional youth powerhouses have entrants, including the Chicago Magic, ranked No. 1 in the 2006 Soccer America Best Clubs Top 20 and the preliminary 2006 Super Y-League overall rankings.

The North American Finals are being held in conjunction with the USL's annual SoccerFest. Among the guests will be former England star Alan Shearer, who will speak at the coaching symposium.