Dames Named id2 Girls Director

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (Jan. 2, 2008) – US Club Soccer announced today the hiring of Rory Dames as id2 Girls Director. Dames will manage the club scouts, player selections and national camp for the 2008 id2 girls’ program. Since 1997, Dames has served as the Director of Coaching and Player Development for the Eclipse Select Soccer Club in the greater Chicago area. In 2007, Soccer America named Eclipse Select SC the best girls’ soccer club in the nation. Eclipse Select SC teams have won four US Club Soccer National Cup Regional titles. Dames appeared in the 1991 NCAA Final Four during his career at St. Louis University. Upon completely his collegiate eligibility, Dames played a season with the Rockford Raptors in the USISL. "As Rory possesses excellent vision and an in-depth knowledge of girls’ youth soccer in the U.S., he is the perfect fit to lead our id2 girls’ program," said Bill Sage, US Club Soccer Executive Director. "We are speaking with National Team coaches and elite girls’ club personnel about how the id2 program will continue to grow over time." "Identifying and developing young talent is my passion," said Dames. "I am eager to begin shaping the 2008 id2 girls’ program and to uncover creative players who will impact the U.S. Women’s Youth National Team programs." With Dames’ appointment, US Club Soccer now employs id2 directors for both the boys and girls’ programs. Gerry McKeown, the Boys DOC at PDA and an assistant coach with the U-15 Boys’ National Team, was hired as id2 Director in 2007 and will now assume the role of id2 Boys Director. "We are privileged to have two of the nation’s top youth coaches guiding our id2 program," said Sage. "Both Gerry and Rory are an asset as they have each demonstrated their expertise in developing youth programs and players." 2008 id2 Program Details regarding the dates, locations and age groups for the 2008 id2 program will be announced in the near future. US Soccer Youth Development Program staff will be on site at each of the id2 events to scout players for possible inclusion in the National Team Programs. The id2 scouting team has already begun identifying players for inclusion in the 2008 id2 program as they compete in their own environment with their club teams. id2 scouts from across the country will evaluate players at each of the 2008 US Club Soccer National Cup VII Regionals, which kick off Memorial Day weekend and continue through the Fourth of July weekend, as well as matches and tournaments staged throughout the spring and summer. Parents do not have to pay fees and travel costs to multiple expensive tryout camps to insure their players are seen by id2 scouts. The id2 selection process is apolitical as players are identified regardless of their affiliation (i.e. US Club Soccer, USYSA, AYSO, non-affiliated, etc.). About US Club Soccer USClbSifititihiiitdltitilb

US Club Soccer is a non-profit organization whose mission is to develop competitive club soccer in the United States. It has been a member of the United States Soccer Federation since July 2001, and has grown to over 2,300 member clubs and league teams in 48 states. In addition to sanctioning tournaments, leagues, and other competitions and conducting a range of programs for its members, it annually conducts the US Club Soccer National Cup and the Champions Cup and just launched a National Collegiate Showcase. US Club Soccer also conducts its own annual player identification and development program, id2. For more information, visit www.usclubsoccer.org.