Dec. 31, 2007
TITLE QUEST
Illinois men.to vie for Donnelly Cup crown

A men's team from the Illinois State Soccer Association will attempt to win the George F. Donnelly Cup, when the annual tournament's final four is contested at the Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif. Jan. 19-21.

The event, held by the United States Adult Soccer Association, will kick off on the Martin Luther King Holiday Weekend, where top Select Teams from each of the four USASA regions will battle for the national title in both men’s and women’s divisions.

The George F. Donnelly Cup serves as the national championship for the USASA elite player program, which is offered to high level players, who after several tryouts, become part of the select team of their state, consequently participating in regional tournaments with hopes to make it to the big national championship held annually.

The competition is named after the late National Soccer Hall of Famer who was a leading national, regional and local official from Eastern New York.

Participating teams in the men’s division for the 2008 Cup are Eastern New York (Region I), Illinois (Region II), North Texas (Region III), and Utah (Region IV).

The women’s division is comprised of Massachusetts (Region I), Minnesota (Region II), Florida (Region III), and Utah (Region IV).

The tournament, which is open to the public, begins Saturday, Jan. 19.

The schedule

Saturday, Jan. 19

10 a.m. -- (women) Massachusetts vs Florida; Minnesota vs Utah

Noon -- (men) Eastern New York vs North Texas; Illinois vs Utah

Sunday Jan. 20

10 a.m. (women) -- Massachusetts vs Minnesota; Florida vs Utah

Noon -- (men) Eastern New York vs Illinois; North Texas vs Utah

Monday Jan. 21

8 a.m. -- Utah vs Eastern New York (men) Utah vs Massachusetts (women)

10 a.m. -- North Texas vs Illinois (men); Florida vs Minnesota (women)