YOUTH SOCCER SHOWCASE TO BE HELD IN CONJUNCTION WITH 2015 MEN’S COLLEGE CUP IN KANSAS CITY

INDIANAPOLIS — The NCAA, Sporting Kansas City and Heartland Soccer Association are partnering to host the first NCAA Men’s College Cup Showcase during 2015 Men’s College Cup weekend (Dec. 10-13) in Kansas City.

The showcase, open to competitive boy’s premier and elite club teams (Under-15 through U-19), will see each team play three games in front of top collegiate coaches in attendance. Games will be played at both the Scheels Overland Park Soccer Complex and Swope Soccer Village.

“We are excited to develop this new platform with Heartland Soccer Association and Sporting Kansas City as we believe it will help grow the sport while exposing youth to an NCAA championship,” said NCAA Director of Championships and Alliances Jeff Jarnecke. “The possibilities and opportunities around this initiative are endless and we are excited to launch our inaugural youth soccer event in conjunction with the 2015 NCAA Men’s College Cup in Kansas City.”

“We are very fortunate to have two world-class soccer complexes in the Kansas City area and to be able to partner with Heartland Soccer Association, the nation’s largest youth soccer league, to host this exciting tournament,” said Sporting Kansas City Vice President David Ficklin. “Pairing the showcase with the Men’s College Cup is a great way for high school student-athletes to test themselves against top competition from across the nation, while also viewing in-person what it takes to play Division I soccer at the highest level.”

Scheels Overland Park Soccer Complex has played host to the U.S. Youth Soccer National Championships, while the 2014 NCAA Division III Men’s and Women’s Soccer Championships marked the first year of a four-year deal to host NCAA soccer championships at Swope Soccer Village, the official training ground of two-time MLS Cup champions Sporting KC.

In addition to the three-game showcase, each team will have the opportunity to be recognized on the field at Sporting Park during the 2015 Men’s College Cup and will receive tickets to both the national semifinals and national championship game.

To register for the NCAA Men’s College Cup Showcase (deadline Oct. 19), visit https://www.heartlandsoccer.net/ncaa-mens-college-cup-showcase/.

For more information and to purchase tickets for the 2015 NCAA Men’s College Cup, visit NCAA.com/menscollegecup.