While any grass field can do for players desperate to play soccer, no one can deny the wondrous opportunity to play a youth club soccer tournament up in the natural beauty of the Utah mountains, just minutes away from some of America’s finest ski slopes at Park City, Utah. The Avalanche Invitational is giving this opportunity to girls’ soccer clubs all over the country, and in just four short years has become one of the game’s best events.

The tournament brings in many of the strongest club teams around the country, and is well attended by college coaches and recruiters of varying levels. Division I universities that attend include Oregon, UCLA, Utah, USC, UNLV, and BYU.  Meanwhile, tons of smaller schools that too have great soccer programs also come to scope out the talent and potential of the girls. 

Kat Mertz, the head coach of Oregon’s women’s soccer team described what makes the tournament so special, stating, “Our coaching staff has loved attending the Avalanche Invitational the last few years. The quality of teams and players make it a great recruiting ground for colleges of all levels. The VIP tent is top notch; giving our staff the opportunity to enjoy a fully catered tent while evaluating premier level athletes playing just steps away. And the setting couldn’t be better. The temperatures, fields, mountains, hospitality, and the great competition all make for an incredible event.  We look forward to it every year!” 

For coaches and organizers of such teams, this can be as magical a trip as any.  In addition to matches being played on the same fields as the USA National Soccer Teams (who often use the altitude to train for trips to elevated locations like Mexico), the event caters to coaches and recruiters from all over the nation. A well-catered VIP tent allows visitors for the Showcase event free meals and comfort during the busy games. 

But on the field, the Avalanche Invitational is one of the best summer soccer tournaments around. For one reason, the mountain temperatures are far cooler than most areas in the summer, which makes playing games much more comfortable. Also, the competition is among the highest found in the USA. Recent rankings have placed this tournament as 22^nd in the nation for the U-14 level and 37^th for the U-15’s due to the caliber of teams present. Just four years in, the event has become more and more competitive each year, drawing in top recruiters and more far-reaching teams from all around.  

As stated by Shaun Cryer, a head coach for the New Jersey Stallions soccer club, “I thought the tournament provided excellent competition and challenge to each of my teams. The location is simply spectacular and the most picturesque area I have visited in the US. I would gladly recommend this tournament to other teams traveling from the east coast. The Avalanche Invitational is affordable and accommodating whilst offering top competition and diversity in the geography of teams that entered. The event truly ticks all the necessary boxes you look and require from a premier event.” 

The spots for teams fill up very quickly with just 150-160 teams present, which help to keep the Avalanche Invitational quaint and enjoyable. Ages range from girls teams at the U9 level up to U18. The Avalanche Invitational Showcase is reserved for ages U15 and up due to the importance of college recruiting for the players and teams of high school aged girls.  

And so with the Avalanche Invitational bringing in girls’ soccer teams and colleges from all over the country to the serene location of Park City, the opportunity to enjoy a dazzling tournament will be yours next June. The tournament will be played June 5-7, 2015 and will certainly be a tremendous experience for all the players, coaches, and families involved! Visit the tournament website for more information.

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