Third annual adidas Champions Cup kicks off this weekend

VANCOUVER, BC – Vancouver Whitecaps FC are proud to again partner with adidas Canada, BC Soccer, and the EA SPORTS BC Soccer Premier League for the third straight year to deliver the annual adidas Champions Cup.

This year's adidas Champions Cup is a U-16 boys and girls tournament consisting of eight teams in each competition from the EA SPORTS BC Soccer Premier League (BCSPL). The eight teams are split into two groups of four, with every team playing three group matches and the group winners then going head-to-head in a championship final on Sunday. This year’s tournament runs on August 31 and September 1 at Minoru Oval Park in Richmond, BC.

Following the conclusion of each competition, presentations will be done to award the winning team, the golden boot for top scorer, and the best defender. Awards will be presented by Whitecaps FC high performance head coach Gordon Forrest.

All EA SPORTS BC Soccer Premier League teams return to action for the fall season on the weekend of September 7 and 8. For more information on the league, go to http://www.bcsoccerpremierleague.net.

2013 adidas Champions Cup Schedule:
BOYS TOURNAMENT
Pool A
Coquitlam Metro-Ford SC
Thompson Okanagan FC
Fusion FC
Pool B
Coastal FC
Surrey United '98
Vancouver Island Wave
Magnuson Ford Mariners FC
SCHEDULE

GIRLS TOURNAMENT
Pool A
Mountain United FC
Thompson Okanagan FC
Coastal FC
Surrey United SC '98
Pool B
Coquitlam Metro-Ford SC
Fusion FC
Vancouver Island Wave
SCHEDULE

EA Sports BC Soccer Premier League

The EA SPORTS BC Soccer Premier League was designed to create a new high performance level of competition and support player development at the provincial, professional and national team level. It will simplify scouting of top young players, provide an elevated level of competition and increase the chance for players fulfilling their potential and creates a dynamic new commercial property at the pinnacle of youth soccer in BC.

Eight founding franchises were announced on February 17, 2011.

·         Coquitlam Metro Ford

·         Fusion FC (Vancouver/Richmond)

·         Magnuson Ford Mariners FC (Abbotsford)

·         Mountain United FC (Burnaby/North Shore)

·         South Fraser Soccer Club

·         Surrey United FC

·         Thompson Okanagan FC

·         Vancouver Island Wave

Each of the inaugural founding franchises has a nominated representative as their member on the League Board of Governors.

The BCSPL features male and female divisions at the U-13, U-14, U-15, U-16, and U-17/U-18 levels, equating to approximately 1,600 players.