Amateur Players To Compete In 5-a-Side Soccer Nationals and Win Prize Money of $85k for Men & $21k for Inaugural Women
A great opportunity for amateur players, 5-a-side qualifying matches will be held all across the United States. Players looking for an opportunity to compete in the 2016 5-a-side World Cup can qualify for the Vegas nationals tournament or buy into the tournament.
Soccer News: World Soccer Fives USA is bringing the opportunity of a lifetime to amateur soccer players. With the Thailand 2016 5-a-Side World Cup (now in it’s third year) fast approaching—an event in which 32 countries currently partake in—World Soccer Fives USA will be hosting a national qualifying tournament in Las Vegas on February 17th-21st, 2016. Athletes will be in a newly built soccer village complete with fields and entertainment hot spots.
“The F5WC is a great opportunity to bring together the large number of amateur footballers in the country to compete for a great prize,” said Romanian organizer Paul Savu. “A chance to represent their country is something everyone dreams of but, no competition in history has made that possible for an amateur athlete until the F5WC.”
For the first time this year, there will be a women’s division. Both divisions will have the opportunity to compete against teams from all across the country for prize money. The men’s teams will compete for a prize of $85,000 while the women’s teams will compete for $21,000.
“U.S. Soccer has grown phenomenally over the past decade to become a serious contender globally, and with the 5-a-side format being the breeding ground worldwide for youth development, World Soccer Fives USA is an incredible event for mass participation, and more importantly showcasing talent,” said James Davies Yandle, President of the F5WC.
“The rest of the world would be advised to take notice of such an incredible national tournament. F5WC is hugely enthusiastic at what World Soccer Fives USA are delivering and wish them the best for what will be a fabulous tournament.”
Having started across the pond in the U.K., five-a-side soccer is a variation of the world’s favorite sport. It has since made its way stateside, with local kids and amateur players gravitating towards this version of soccer for its many positive attributes. Good news—you no longer have to recruit eleven players to complete your team but its benefits extend beyond that to player development.
Because of the small team size, each player gets more time with the ball—providing them ample time to learn and executive offensive and defensive techniques in a rather fast paced game. For youth players, the benefits of small games like these are endless. Just look at the captain of Manchester United and England National Team, Wayne Rooney. Rooney started playing soccer by participating in small, local games.
In this adaption of soccer, the penalty area is a semi-circle. Should the goalkeeper wish to make a save, he or she can only kick the ball. The ball can go over head height. There are no offside rules.
The tournament is open to all amateur players—16 years and older—who do not have a professional soccer contract. For college soccer athletes, this a perfect opportunity to compete. Should your team win, World Soccer Fives USA will donate the winnings and you can move on to represent the U.S. in Thailand at the World Cup.
Teams are given two options to attend nationals: they can either qualify through a match, or buy a spot in the finals via the World Soccer Fives USA website. Qualifying matches will be held in over 70 cities around the United States. You can view the schedule to find a match near you.
If you are an amateur player with big soccer dreams, this could be your chance to make your dreams a reality while winning prize money! What would you do with the money?
If you are a more casual amateur player, 5-a-side soccer is the perfect fit for you—why not create a team and join the fastest growing sport in America and be a part of the game instead of watching from the sidelines? You’ll get the opportunity to meet talented soccer players from across the country in Vegas, where live music will be available all day in the custom built soccer village, while vying for the chance to represent the U.S at the 2016 5-a-Side World Cup in Bangkok, Thailand—an all expense paid trip for the champions.
“We are really excited to be partnering Caesars Palace group in Las Vegas and will be building an incredible soccer village for 50,000 people on the Las Vegas strip, that will not only have 34 five on five soccer fields, but also stage huge concerts and entertainment over the 5 day event,” said Charles Stephenson, Director at World Soccer Fives USA.
Places for the event are limited and filling up quickly. Register yourself and your team at online.
