Virginia Beach City Hosting First MLDA Cup in March 2019
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (Feb. 10, 2018) — Virginia Beach City FC is hosting the first annual Major League Development Association (MLDA) Region I Cup next month, a tournament destined to provide an opportunity for local and regional players to be scouted by coaches across the competitive spectrum.
"We are very excited about the launch of the MLDA Region I Cup," said Virginia Beach City FC owner and MLDA chairman and president Steven Wagoner. "This event delivers accessible levels of soccer competition to all ages and skill levels."
The MLDA Region I Cup will be held on March 2 and 3, and at least 50 teams are already projected to participate. Of those teams, 20-25 teams are from outside the VB City FC youth academy and includes one team traveling from Canada, giving the tournament excellent participation in its first year.
MLDA is an association designed to provide soccer teams and organizations with infrastructure and resources to grow and develop soccer talent across the region. MLDA aims to establish an accessible level of competition and training platforms for participants while remaining rooted in each local community. MLDA will help identify and/or invest in facilities and coaches while providing access and opportunity for the full player development model from youth to professional. Both Virginia Beach City FC and the VB City FC women are under the MLDA umbrella.
"As our tournament continues to develop, we plan for the MLDA Region I Cup to become a premier showcase for college and professional soccer identification on the East Coast," Wagoner said. "We are thankful for all of clubs and teams that are participating and look forward to an exciting weekend of soccer.”
Virginia Beach City FC head coach and DC United scout for the Hampton Roads area Brian Hinkey will be scouting players at next month’s MLDA Region I Cup. As the tournament grows, international and college scouts will be in attendance.
Is your youth team looking for a tournament? To sign your team up for the MLDA Region I Cup, click here. For more information, contact Elizabeth Jurgens at ejurgens@vbcityfc.com or Blaine Stephenson, the Mid-Atlantic Director for SMC Tournaments at blaine@smcsoccer.com .