US Youth Soccer, the nation's largest youth sports association, today announced the inaugural US Youth Soccer National League Director's Cup, presented by adidas, to be played August 8-10 at Lawrence Soccer Complex in Lawrence, Indiana.

The new Cup, which is the culmination event of the National Leagues operated during the summer, will feature both Premier and Division I flights for boys and girls teams in the Under-13 through Under-19 age groups. Both brackets will consist of a minimum of four teams in each age group and bracket.

National League play begins on or about May 1, 2003, proceeds during the summer and concludes with the inaugural Director's Cup finals August 8-10, 2003. Teams will play semifinal matches on Friday, August 8, with the winners meeting in the finals on Sunday, August 10. Consolation games will be played Saturday, August 9.

The Director's Cup does not replace the SNICKERS US Youth Soccer National Championships, it provides additional opportunities for US Youth Soccers 3.1 million members.

Along with the single-elimination format, the Director's Cup serves as the first US Youth Soccer national event to include the Under-13 age bracket. With the addition of this age group, US Youth Soccer shows its commitment to developing young players, and will help ensure continued success to the U.S. National team program.

Additionally, teams will have flexibility with their rosters of no more than 25 eligible players. Although game rosters will continue to be limited to 18 eligible players, the National League has an accommodating add/drop policy and allows for dual and multiple rostering. (i.e. A U-16 player can play on a U-16 and U-17 team in the Premier and Division I brackets at the same time)