AYSO National Games Conclude in Palm Beach County
The 2016 AYSO National Games champions were crowned in Palm Beach County, Florida, as a week of fun-filled soccer action concluded in the Sunshine State. More than 3,000 AYSO players and thousands of families came out to participate in the AYSO National Games which were held from July 5th through July 10th — with a one-day Soccerfest tournament and tons of player parties.
Youth Soccer News: The 2016 AYSO National Games were held from Tuesday, July 5th through Sunday, July 10th in Palm Beach County, Florida.
The AYSO is known for fun-filled soccer and with only one national youth soccer tournament, the National Games, this organization embraces competition with more fun and joy than any other. This year’s AYSO National Games brought together 3,000 AYSO players and their soccer loving families to celebrate and compete for one great week of youth soccer fun in the glorious Sunshine State.
This week-long event creates lifelong memories for everyone involved – after all, soccer is the world’s favorite sport and sharing the passion for the beautiful game is a great way to bring people together and make friends.
The Games first kicked off in 1988 and were the brainchild of Mike Michalski, a former AYSO Area Director from West Hills, CA. Founded because Michalski believed there should be a grand soccer festival for kids of all skill levels. Why should only highly competitive youth soccer players have all the soccer tournament fun?
The AYSO National Games matches were played on the grounds of the International Polo Club Palm Beach in West Palm Beach – the same location of the tournament held in 2010.
Along with the National Games, AYSO players had a chance to experience a one-day Soccerfest tournament, player parties and the opportunity to enjoy all that Florida has to offer.
The Soccerfest was held on Wednesday and players were divided into random teams based on age. This AYSO fest removed the pressure of winning and losing — and, the only goal was to have fun and meet new friends. The day concluded with players cooling off at Rapids Water Park.
The 2016 AYSO National Games kicked off on Thursday with the tournament consisting of boys and girls age groups for every two years starting at U10 all the way up to a U18/19 age bracket. Every player competing in the National Games team must have played AYSO during the current year.
Each team played five pool play matches with the winner of each group advancing to the playoffs held Saturday and Sunday. A championship match for each division was concluded on Sunday to determine the champions of each bracket.
2016 AYSO National Games Champions & Finalists:
| Division | Champions | Finalist |
| U10 Boys | FL – Peacock | FL – Forberger |
| U10 Girls | FL – Gatto | CA Baez |
| U12 Boys | CA – Lemos | IL – Moran |
| U12 Girls | HI – Sugiyama | HI – Godefroy |
| U14 Boys | FL – Carr | CA – McGlasson |
| U14 Girls | CA – Flores | IL – Lopez |
| U16 Boys | CA – Lopez | FL – Moise |
| U16 Girls | CA – Lunow | CA – Hadley |
| U19 Boys | CA – Cyhaniuk | CA – Reyes |
| U19 Girls | CA – Benitez | MI – Hitchcock |
The AYSO National Games remained dedicated to providing a competitive but friendly atmosphere with sportsmanship ratings recorded throughout the weekend. Teams who earned the highest average points per game during their group play matches were honored for outstanding sportsmanship.
Congratulations to all those who were able to attend the annual tournament in Florida!
