Congratulations to Tynecastle Saprissa U15 and River City Black U16 girls teams for their excellent results at the Northwest Champions League that concluded Jan. 8-9 in Beaverton, Ore.

Saprissa finished 4-0-2 - fifth out of 14 teams. River City went 4-1-1 and placed third of twelve team. The Championship Finals will be played in May for the older girls.

Two Tynecastle boys teams reached the finals of the second-annual senior boys Northwest Champions League competition.

The Tynecastle U17 and U18 teams ultimately lost to Westsound ’94 and Westside Metros respectively in closely contested finals that took place in Beaverton, Ore. on Dec. 10-11. Other PSPL teams that participated included Tynecastle U15 and Emerald City FC U16.

Congratulations to all four PSPL teams for representing the league and doing well in the competition.

Meanwhile, Tynecastle Saprissa’s girls U15 and River City’s girls U16 remain in the hunt for Northwest Champions League glory, following a successful first round of action on Dec. 3-4, in Redmond.

Both teams won two matches and drew one against Oregon’s elite teams in a two-legged tournament that draws the most competitive clubs in the Northwest. Both teams have seven points and are in good position to capitalize in the second round.

Teams qualify for the NWCL based on their standings in their respective leagues. PSPL teams must win the Super League to qualify for this prestigious competition.

Other PSPL teams didn’t fare as well. River City’s U17 team and Legacy FC’s U18 girls struggled in first-round and second-round action.

To see all of the results, click NWCL.

The NWCL is a regional league that pits the best Regional Club Leage, Oregon Premier League and Puget Sound Premier League teams all competing in a Champions League format. Like the Champions League in Europe, the NWCL and the Pacific Coast Super Cup are designed to supplement existing statewide leagues in an effort to match the best teams in a regional competition.

PSPL teams can qualify for what is considered the most competitive league in the Northwest by winning the PSPL Super League in the fall. Winners of the NWCL--U11-U14 earn an automatic berth to the prestigious Surf Cup tournament. The U11 age group was included this year.

Invitations for the girls older age groups -- U15-U18 -- have been announced. Teams representing the PSPL include: Tyncastle Saprissa (U15), River City (U16), River City (U17) and Legacy FC (U18).

For more information about the NWCL, click www.northwestchampions.com. US Club Soccer sanctions the NWCL. 

The PSPL teams that earned a spot in the NW Champions League for U11-U14 boys and girls just concluded the firs two rounds. Congratulations to the boys U11 ISC Gunners for advancing to the semi-finals on Dec. 3-4. The other PSPL teams that qualified for the tournament included:

• Emerald City FC Green, U14 boys
• CDA Sting, U14 girls
• Cobra Strike, U13 boys
• ISC Gunners, U13 girls
• Wenatchee Fire Black, U12 boys
• ISC Gunners, U12 girls
• ISC Gunners, U11 boys
• ISC Gunners, U11 girls

Super League winners (U11-U18) in fall 2010, automatically qualified for the 2011-2012 Northwest Champions League. PSPL teams will play against the likes of Crossfire Premier, Eastside FC, FC Portland, Tualatin Hills United, among many others.

PSPL teams that place in the top five spots of the Super League also qualifiy for a ``Europa’’ version of the Champion’s League, which is called the Pacific Coast Super Cup. Teams play against the next tier of Oregon and Idaho teams. Invitations have just been sent out.
 
The NWCL and the Pacific Coast Super Cup are the only Washington competitions that bring together the top teams from different statewide leagues in neighboring states so the region’s best players can compete in meaningful and competitive matches. 

This Northwest Champions League agreement is a big step in giving your teams a rightful place to compete against the region’s other elite teams.

Here’s the list of accepted U15-U18 NWCL teams for 2011-2012:

Under 15     Under 15 Girls Boise Nationals 15G Alemania Crossfire Premier 96 A Eastside FC 96 Red Eastside United FC Tottenham Eugene Metro FC Impact FC Portland 1996 G Navy Harbor FC G96 Northwest Nationals G96 Red OSSA 96 Blue OSSA Breakers South Fraser FC G15 Tualatin Hills United SC Mercury Tynecastle FC Saprisa VUSA Timbers 96 Red   Under 16     Under 16 Girls Crossfire Premier ECNL Eastside United FC Arsenal FC Portland 1995 G Navy Greater Renton FC 95 Blue Magnuson Ford Mariners FC Mountain United G16 OSSA 95 Blue River City G95 Black South Fraser FC G16 Spokane Shadow G95 U16 Navy Tualatin Hills United SC Sodium Washington Premier FC ECNL (WA)   Under 17     Under 17 Girls Eastside United FC Sunderland FC Portland 1994 G Navy Greater Renton FC 94 Blue Greater Renton FC 94 Red Harbor FC G94 Northwest Nationals 94 Red OSSA 94 Blue River City G94 Black Snohomish United G94 Black Tualatin Hills United SC Ireland VUSA Timbers G94 Red   Under 18     Under 18 Girls Eugene Metro FC 93 Spirit FC Portland 1993 G Navy Federal Way United 93 Purple Highline Premier FC 93/94 Legacy FC Maroon Lightning OSSA 93 Blue Spokane Shadow 93 Washington Premier FC ECNL 93 (WA) Westside Metros Fury