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KGDG2005
14 Nov 2007, 10:11 PM
I thought I would pass along a chunk of Jason's Press Release from yesterday to give folks some more info on the 2007 version of the Supporters' Cup:

Street-Cup hits the road: Soccer In The Streets comes to RFK Stadium

http://www.soccerstreets.org/images/header/newlogo3.gif

Soccer In The Streets (http://www.soccerstreets.org/) is taking its Street-Cup Series on the road this weekend to visit Washington, DC. It's MLS Cup weekend, and Soccer In The Streets has teamed up with the Screaming Eagles (http://screaming-eagles.com/) supporters' group to host the first ever Supporters' Street-Cup.

Soccer In The Streets, a nationwide non-profit organization that develops life-skills and educational programs for "at-risk" kids in underserved communities, has been organizing Street-Cup tournaments for the past four years as a means to give disadvantaged kids an opportunity for positive interaction with others. The Street-Cups are open to all young soccer players who wish to attend, at all skill levels, but is especially geared for kids who may not have the means for traditional league play.

This special Street-Cup will bring together America's most passionate soccer fans at RFK Stadium, site of the MLS Cup final. The fans will play under the same format that all Street-Cups use; there will be no referees and fouls will be called by the players themselves. This follows the FIFA Fair Play campaign guidelines and has been a great tool in teaching conflict resolution and respect to the kids in Soccer In The Streets programs.

The weekend's festivities have been planned by the Screaming Eagles, a nonprofit organization that has supported DC United, Major League Soccer, and their local community since their inception in 1995. The organization has been involved in numerous community related projects, including collaborations with the Eddie Pope Foundation and United for D.C. <snip>

In addition to the tournament, the Screaming Eagles have organized raffles that will take place at the weekend's events that will benefit Soccer In The Streets' Escuela de Vida project. The project will provide extensive training in both on and off the field aspects of soccer to graduates of the Positive-Choice Soccer program. Escuela de Vida has already seen disadvantaged kids receiving referee certifications, coaching licenses, advanced playing opportunities, and administrative training. FIFA, the world governing body for soccer, recognized the promise of the project and has admitted it into the Football for Hope Movement.

Sign-ups can be done in advance online (http://screaming-eagles.com/?page_id=583) and will be available on the day of the event, starting at 8:30 a.m. The games will kick off at 9:00 a.m. and the tournament will conclude by noon. <snip>

Please contact Jason Longshore, Communications Director of Soccer In The Streets, with any questions about the Street-Cup Series.
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About Soccer In The Streets

Soccer In The Streets, an Atlanta-based nationwide non-profit organization, is committed to teaching less advantaged kids how to make positive choices in life. Since the organization's inception in 1989, over 125,000 children have participated in programs in over 75 U.S. cities.

Teaching kids skills for life... one goal at a time.
http://www.soccerstreets.org
Soccer In The Streets
Jason Longshore (jason@soccerstreets.org)
Communications Director

We hope that you will come on out to the hallowed grounds (er, asphalt) of Lot 8 for the activities for fans of all ages (and playing ability)!

N.B. for those who prefer more sedentary activities (er, drinking) there will be free drinks (both beer and non-alcoholic) for those who would like to watch the live showing of USA vs. South Africa :)

KGDG
Come On United (States and DC)
www.screaming-eagles.com
If not the MLS Cup, then bring home the 2007 Supporters' Cup!!

KGDG2005
15 Nov 2007, 08:30 AM
I also posted this on our website (http://www.screaming-eagles.com/), but FWIW here's my own take on the Supporters' Cup (because my wife has been asking what on earth possessed me to not just kick up my heels this weekend and relax):

Having spent some of my formative futbol years enjoying the likes of Johann Cruyff dazzle the fans at RFK with his wizardry, only to see the professional league go “poof” just as my generation was ready to join in the world’s game, it is a pretty easy answer.

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/202/519671583_c9fae03ee1_m.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/kgdg/519671583/)

To celebrate the growth of a league where American stars can ply their trade and the next generation of players can grow up in the shadow of great soccer stadia amidst the chants, songs, banners and flags of passionate supporters.

Now, RFK may be crumbling a bit, but for some of us it holds so many great soccer memories from MLS Cup glory to Olympic dreams to World Cup moments. Where else would one want to join with other fans from around the country than in the heart of the Nation’s Capital?

Utilizing the general format that Soccer in the Streets (http://www.soccerstreets.org/index.asp) has brought to urban communities across the country that don’t have ready access to fields in hosting the 2007 Supporters’ Street Cup seemed to be a natural fit. What better way to demonstrate that the beautiful game can be played in every community with good cheer and sportsmanship!

Come join in on the fun (http://screaming-eagles.com/?page_id=583) on the morning of Saturday, November 17th in Lot 8 for the tournament, plenty of family-friendly fun including Soccer Tennis demonstrated by MLS stars, Human Foosball, EA Sports Game Crazy Team’s FIFA ‘08 and a live viewing of USA vs. South Africa!

There will be a raffle to benefit Soccer In The Streets’ Escuela de Vida project and prizes galore for participants of every age.

KGDG
Come On United (States and DC)
www.screaming-eagles.com
Our Team. Each Other. Our Community.

K
15 Nov 2007, 09:54 AM
Hey Dave, will there be fabulous prizes available this weekend?

(why yes Kim, why don't you tell the good folks what they might be ;)).

The American Outlaws (http://www.theamericanoutlaws.com/) (a new US Soccer supporters group and our co-sponsors for the USA-South Africa viewing party at RFK, lot 8) will be running a FREE drawing for 2 FREE tickets to a US National Home Game for your choice. You can sign up at the Supporters Cup (http://screaming-eagles.com/?page_id=583)on Saturday and the Supporters Tailgate (http://screaming-eagles.com/?page_id=617)on Sunday.

We are also going to be running 3 raffles to benefit MLS Works (http://ww2.mlsnet.com/mls/programs/mls_works/)and Soccer in the Streets (http://www.soccerstreets.org/). Prizes include (2) 2008 MLS Cup tickets and (2) nights hotel stay (based on double occupancy), a team signed 2007 All-Star game jersey and a team signed 2007 All-Star game ball (I'll look up the roster because I can't make out the names from the signatures). Tickets will be available for purchase at all of our events OR you can purchase via www.paypal.com by sending to payments@screaming-eagles.com (in the notes section, please indicate how many raffle tickets you are buying and put your phone number). You don't need to be present to win.

Cost of tickets- 1-$1, 6-$5, 15-$10, 40-$20, 120-$50

If you have questions, give me a yell at kim@screaming-eagles.com

K

KGDG2005
15 Nov 2007, 04:02 PM
I wanted to publicly thank the lovely ladies of SEFC Nuisance who have volunteered to help run the 2007 Supporters' Street Cup (http://screaming-eagles.com/?page_id=583) on Saturday morning.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2311/1505602923_c1311116e8_m.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/kgdg/1505602923/)

There is absolutely no way this experiment would have worked without such wonderful volunteers being involved in such a hands-on fashion!

I will owe each one of you the beverage of your choice when this is all over :D

KGDG
Come On United (States and DC)
www.screaming-eagles.com
Approaching the starting line...

KGDG2005
16 Nov 2007, 06:21 PM
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1265/580184999_6b6838cd60_m.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/kgdg/580184999/)

Back from RFK - whew! What a day on the hallowed grounds of Lot 8.

Cliff has marked the fields - Real Salt Lake would be proud ;)

The PUGGS, futsal balls, Adidas bags for participants and trophy have been delivered :)

The ASG guys have laid out the other soccer celebration zone things for the munchkins.

Breakfast goodies are in the truck ready to roll for a 6am arrival and set up time.

By 8:30am we should be ready for the players, spectators, etc.

If you are still looking for teammates there are folks who will be showing up looking for others to join in with.

Off to the Happy Hour!

KGDG
Come On United (States and DC)
www.screaming-eagles.com
Adrenaline - catch the wave!

KGDG2005
17 Nov 2007, 05:10 AM
Kick-off in just 4 hours - let the games begin...

KGDG
Come On United (States and DC)
www.screaming-eagles.com
Where are those breakfast goodies?