Orlando, Fla. – The Vardar U17 boys team won their division  at the prestigious Disney's Soccer Showcase presented by the Chelsea Football Club on Dec. 30 at the beautiful Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex.

The showcase is the ultimate place for top clubs to be seen by hundreds of college coaches looking for great soccer talent. It is rated the top youth soccer tournament in the United States in a Soccer America survey. It gives athletes a chance to shine on one of the biggest stages set for youth soccer in this country.

Vardar competed in the boys U17 Copa White Division in the B Bracket. They opened the tournament with a 1-0 win over FC San Diego B91 Gold and then fought to a scoreless tie against the Dallas Texans 92 Red West team. They tied the Huntsville, S.C., 92 Strikers Blue team 2-2 in their third game. A 4-2 win over GSA Phoenix 92 Red in the final game earned Vardar the title. 

The team is currently ranked No. 1 in Michigan and 38th in the nation by gotsoccer.com. The team is comprise from some of the best high school juniors inMichigan.

Disney’s Soccer Showcase began with 71 boys and girls teams in 1999, but now features nearly 430, involving roughly 7,500 athletes.  And even after creating an additional event in 2006 that takes place during Thanksgiving weekend – the Junior Soccer Showcase (U11-U14) – to ease the demand, Disney’s Soccer Showcase still turns away more than 250 teams each year. 

The tournament featured a decorated list of top high school-aged soccer players which included Olympic Development Program (U16-U17) members and more than 150 State Cup Champion Teams. More than 700 college coaches were attendance, making it the place where top college prospects are recruited.