EAST WINDSOR, N.J. ― New Jersey Youth Soccer wrapped up an exceptional showing this week at the U.S. Youth Soccer Region I Championships at the Publix Virginia Soccer Training Center in Spotsylvania, Va.

New Jersey claimed four championships at the regional tournament, which was the highest mark of any state association at the competition.

“New Jersey was represented extraordinarily well at the Region I championships,” NJ Youth Soccer games commissioner Buddy Hart said.. “In addition to our four champions, we had another two teams that reached the finals for their age groups, and all players who competed should be very proud of their performances. We look forward to seeing the Region I champions when they participate in the national championships later this month.”

Next up for the regional champions is the U.S/ Youth Soccer National Championships, which will be held at the Toyota Soccer Center in Frisco, Texas July 24-30.

The national championships will consist of regional champions in the Under-13 through U-19/20 Boys and Girls age groups, as well as the U.S. Youth Soccer National League qualifiers in the U-15 through U-19/20 Boys and Girls age groups.

Ninety-six teams will compete in the nationals.

New Jersey – U.S. Youth Soccer Region I Champions

U-12 Boys: Watchung Hills Soccer Association – NJ Elite
U-13 Boys: Real Jersey Football Club
U-13 Girls: Soccer Domain Football Club Yellow
U-14 Girls: Soccer Domain Football Club Yellow

New Jersey – U.S. Youth Soccer Region I Finalists

U-16 Boys: Match Fit Academy FC Black
U-17 Girls: Princeton Soccer Association

Front Row Soccer editor Michael Lewis has covered 13 World Cups (eight men, five women), seven Olympics and 25 MLS Cups. He has written about New York City FC, New York Cosmos, the New York Red Bulls and both U.S. national teams for Newsday and has penned a soccer history column for the Guardian.com. Lewis, who has been honored by the Press Club of Long Island and National Soccer Coaches Association of America, is the former editor of BigAppleSoccer.com. He has written seven books about the beautiful game and has published ALIVE AND KICKING The incredible but true story of the Rochester Lancers. It is available at Amazon.com.