Steve Zakuani
Encyclopedia
Steve Zakuani is a Congolese
footballer who currently plays for Seattle Sounders FC
in Major League Soccer
. Born in Zaire
(now the Democratic Republic of the Congo
), Zakuani grew up in London
before attending the University of Akron
on a soccer scholarship. In 2008 he was a finalist for the Hermann Trophy
and was named Soccer America men's collegiate player of the year.
Zakuani's professional career began with Seattle Sounders FC
in 2009. He was drafted by the MLS expansion club as the first pick of the first round of the 2009 MLS SuperDraft
on a Generation Adidas
contract. In his first season he scored four goals and four assists and was a finalist for MLS Rookie of the Year. In the 2010 season he increased his goal total to ten and scored Sounders FC's first ever playoff goal. On November 10, 2010, Zakuani made his first international soccer appearance representing DR Congo
in a friendly match.
(now the Democratic Republic of the Congo
) and moved to London
at the age of four. His father, Mao Zakuani, moved his family there for political and professional reasons after receiving a job offer as a translator. The family switched homes often and lived with extended family for long periods of time. They eventually settled in north London in a neighbourhood with other African families, where Zakuani attended White Hart Lane School.
At the age of nine, Zakuani earned interest from West Ham United. He later tried out for the youth team of Queens Park Rangers. In 1997, he joined the Arsenal Academy
. Zakuani became cocky and brash while not focusing on schoolwork, and he was released from Arsenal by 2002. Zakuani's knee and foot were severely injured in a crash on a moped that one of his friends had stolen. The accident left him unable to play for 18 months. After becoming less passionate about the game and renewing his efforts in school, Zakuani was taken by his teacher and mentor, Paul Goodison, to watch motivational speaker and evangelist Myles Munroe
. This was a life changing event for Zakuani, and he recommitted himself to becoming a professional player. Along with Munroe, Zakuani considers John Wooden
, Malcolm X
, and Jesus Christ to be his heroes. He unsuccessfully tried out to join the senior teams of Queens Park Rangers, Wigan Athletic
, AZ Alkmaar, and Real Valladolid
shortly after.
He was spotted by the University of Akron
at a development centre in north London called the Independent Football Academy. After choosing to attend the university on a scholarship, Zakuani scored six goals in his freshman season with the Akron Zips
. This led to a professional offer that summer from Preston North End, but he had promised to return to Akron for his sophomore season. In 2008, he led the nation in scoring with 20 goals and 7 assists in 23 games to become a finalist for the Hermann Trophy
. He was only the second sophomore to be named Soccer America's men's collegiate player of the year for the season's efforts. His coach Caleb Porter said half of Zakuani's goals were individual efforts of "40-, 50-yard runs and beating three or four guys along the way," and that "Steve Zakuanis don't come around very often."
He played part of the 2008 USL Premier Development League
season with the Cleveland Internationals
. While only playing 11 matches, Zakuani scored nine goals and made four assists.
as the number one pick in the 2009 MLS SuperDraft
on a Generation Adidas
contract. He had turned down other contract offers to sign with Major League Soccer
since the Generation Adidas program would allow for him to return to school to finish his education. Zakuani was a finalist for MLS Rookie of the Year in 2009 after leading all MLS rookies in scoring with four goals and four assists. On September 2, 2009, Sounders FC became the second MLS expansion team in league history (Chicago was first) to win the U.S. Open Cup
tournament in their first season. Zakuani was a starter in the championship match.
In his second professional season, he scored ten goals in the regular season to tie for the team lead with Fredy Montero. He was named MLS Player of the Week twice, and also won Goal of the Week twice. He also recorded the fastest goal in Sounders history with his fourth minute tally against the Columbus Crew
in a 1–1 draw at Qwest Field
. It bettered the previous mark set by Zakuani the season before when he scored in the fifth minute at D.C. United. On October 5, 2010, Seattle won the 2010 U.S. Open Cup final
, becoming the first team since 1983 to repeat as U.S. Open Cup champions. Zakuani was again in the starting lineup for Sounders FC in the final. On November 7, 2010, Zakuani scored the Sounders' first ever playoff goal in a 2–1 loss to the Los Angeles Galaxy
.
The Sounders' management has encouraged its players to train with teams overseas. During a visit to England after the 2010 season, Zakuani trained with Everton F.C.
to stay match fit. He received his green card before the 2011 season. This granted him permanent resident status in the US and exempted him from occupying one of the MLS limited international player slot on the club’s roster.
Zakuani scored two goals and had two assists in his first six appearances of the 2011 season. On April 22, 2011, three minutes into a game against the Colorado Rapids
, Zakuani suffered a broken leg from a challenge by Brian Mullan
, fracturing his tibia and fibula. He underwent successful surgery later that same day, and will likely be out for the remainder of the 2011 season.
if the opportunity presented itself. On November 12, 2010, Zakuani accepted a call up for a friendly match against Mali
. He played his first 45 minutes of international football in the 3–1 loss. In a 2011 interview with Dan Brennan of Arsenal.com, Zakuani admitted he's eligible to play for DR Congo and England, and will be eligible to play for the United States in a few years. He said "Of the three, I prefer the States as this is where I made my name as a player, but we’ll see how things turn out."
has said that Zakuani is a dangerous dribbler with good speed. He is right-footed and prefers playing on the left. He played on the left wing in a 4–4–2 formation
with Arsenal and was a forward in college. Zakuani says that he plays with an attractive style he learned at Arsenal's youth academy.
, currently plays for Peterborough United in England and is a member of the Congolese national team
. Steve considers London his hometown but also considers himself Congolese.
As a teenager in London, he began "mixing with the wrong crowd." Zakuani was distracted from playing football by girls and parties. He said in an interview: "A lot of the people I grew up with ended up in prison, taking drugs, and never made it to university." He has strong feelings about the increase of knife crime in London since one of his friends was killed. In Seattle, he spends time with his teammates off of the field and has beaten several of them at the Pro Evolution
video game. Zakuani enjoys reading and watching African comedies.
In 2010, he founded a non-profit organization called Kingdom Hope to run camps and provide scholarships. The project runs camps in the greater Seattle area. Zakuani has said that his ultimate goal is to open an academy to teach life coaching and soccer to teenagers in an effort to be a "bridge between talent and actually making it".
|2008 ||Cleveland Internationals
||USL Premier Development League
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|2009 ||rowspan="3"|Seattle Sounders FC
||rowspan="3"|Major League Soccer
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|2010||29||10||3||0||2||1||3||0||37||11
|-
|2011||6||2||-||-||-||-||-||-||6||2
75||25||7||0||4||1||3||0||89||26
75||25||7||0||4||1||3||0||89||26
Democratic Republic of the Congo
The Democratic Republic of the Congo is a state located in Central Africa. It is the second largest country in Africa by area and the eleventh largest in the world...
footballer who currently plays for Seattle Sounders FC
Seattle Sounders FC
Seattle Sounders FC is an American professional soccer club based in Seattle, Washington. The club competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. Sounders FC was established in November 2007 as a MLS expansion team, making it the 15th team in...
in Major League Soccer
Major League Soccer
Major League Soccer is a professional soccer league based in the United States and sanctioned by the United States Soccer Federation . The league is composed of 19 teams — 16 in the U.S. and 3 in Canada...
. Born in Zaire
Zaire
The Republic of Zaire was the name of the present Democratic Republic of the Congo between 27 October 1971 and 17 May 1997. The name of Zaire derives from the , itself an adaptation of the Kongo word nzere or nzadi, or "the river that swallows all rivers".-Self-proclaimed Father of the Nation:In...
(now the Democratic Republic of the Congo
Democratic Republic of the Congo
The Democratic Republic of the Congo is a state located in Central Africa. It is the second largest country in Africa by area and the eleventh largest in the world...
), Zakuani grew up in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
before attending the University of Akron
University of Akron
The University of Akron is a coeducational public research university located in Akron, Ohio, United States. The university is part of the University System of Ohio. It was founded in 1870 as a small college affiliated with the Universalist Church. In 1913 ownership was transferred to the City of...
on a soccer scholarship. In 2008 he was a finalist for the Hermann Trophy
Hermann Trophy
The Hermann Trophy is awarded annually by the Missouri Athletic Club to the United States's top male and female college soccer players.-History:...
and was named Soccer America men's collegiate player of the year.
Zakuani's professional career began with Seattle Sounders FC
Seattle Sounders FC
Seattle Sounders FC is an American professional soccer club based in Seattle, Washington. The club competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. Sounders FC was established in November 2007 as a MLS expansion team, making it the 15th team in...
in 2009. He was drafted by the MLS expansion club as the first pick of the first round of the 2009 MLS SuperDraft
2009 MLS SuperDraft
The 2009 MLS SuperDraft took place on January 15, 2009 in St. Louis, Missouri. It was the tenth annual Major League Soccer SuperDraft. The first selection was owned by the expansion Seattle Sounders FC...
on a Generation Adidas
Generation adidas
Generation adidas is a joint venture between Major League Soccer and U.S. Soccer aimed at raising the level of young soccer talent in the United States. The program, sponsored by adidas, encourages early entry of American players into MLS...
contract. In his first season he scored four goals and four assists and was a finalist for MLS Rookie of the Year. In the 2010 season he increased his goal total to ten and scored Sounders FC's first ever playoff goal. On November 10, 2010, Zakuani made his first international soccer appearance representing DR Congo
Congo DR national football team
The Congo DR national football team is the national team of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and is controlled by the Fédération Congolaise de Football-Association , and are nicknamed The Leopards.Congo have been ranked as high as 51 in the FIFA Rankings...
in a friendly match.
Youth and college
Zakuani was born in ZaireZaire
The Republic of Zaire was the name of the present Democratic Republic of the Congo between 27 October 1971 and 17 May 1997. The name of Zaire derives from the , itself an adaptation of the Kongo word nzere or nzadi, or "the river that swallows all rivers".-Self-proclaimed Father of the Nation:In...
(now the Democratic Republic of the Congo
Democratic Republic of the Congo
The Democratic Republic of the Congo is a state located in Central Africa. It is the second largest country in Africa by area and the eleventh largest in the world...
) and moved to London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
at the age of four. His father, Mao Zakuani, moved his family there for political and professional reasons after receiving a job offer as a translator. The family switched homes often and lived with extended family for long periods of time. They eventually settled in north London in a neighbourhood with other African families, where Zakuani attended White Hart Lane School.
At the age of nine, Zakuani earned interest from West Ham United. He later tried out for the youth team of Queens Park Rangers. In 1997, he joined the Arsenal Academy
Arsenal F.C. Academy
Arsenal Football Club Academy are the youth team of Arsenal Football Club. They currently play in the FA Premier Academy League, the highest level of youth football in England...
. Zakuani became cocky and brash while not focusing on schoolwork, and he was released from Arsenal by 2002. Zakuani's knee and foot were severely injured in a crash on a moped that one of his friends had stolen. The accident left him unable to play for 18 months. After becoming less passionate about the game and renewing his efforts in school, Zakuani was taken by his teacher and mentor, Paul Goodison, to watch motivational speaker and evangelist Myles Munroe
Myles Munroe
Dr. Myles Munroe is the president and founder of the Bahamas Faith Ministries International , a Christian growth and resource center that includes leadership training institutes, a missions agency, a publishing company, a television network, radio and Web communications, and a church community...
. This was a life changing event for Zakuani, and he recommitted himself to becoming a professional player. Along with Munroe, Zakuani considers John Wooden
John Wooden
John Robert Wooden was an American basketball player and coach. Nicknamed the "Wizard of Westwood", he won ten NCAA national championships in a 12-year period — seven in a row — as head coach at UCLA, an unprecedented feat. Within this period, his teams won a record 88 consecutive games...
, Malcolm X
Malcolm X
Malcolm X , born Malcolm Little and also known as El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz , was an African American Muslim minister and human rights activist. To his admirers he was a courageous advocate for the rights of African Americans, a man who indicted white America in the harshest terms for its...
, and Jesus Christ to be his heroes. He unsuccessfully tried out to join the senior teams of Queens Park Rangers, Wigan Athletic
Wigan Athletic F.C.
Wigan Athletic Football Club is an English Premier League Association football club based in Wigan, Greater Manchester, having been promoted from the Championship in 2005. Wigan's current spell in the Premier League is the only top flight run in the club's history.They have played at the DW...
, AZ Alkmaar, and Real Valladolid
Real Valladolid
Real Valladolid Club de Fútbol, S.A.D. is a Spanish football club based in Valladolid, in the autonomous community of Castile and León, from where the nickname Pucela is derived....
shortly after.
He was spotted by the University of Akron
University of Akron
The University of Akron is a coeducational public research university located in Akron, Ohio, United States. The university is part of the University System of Ohio. It was founded in 1870 as a small college affiliated with the Universalist Church. In 1913 ownership was transferred to the City of...
at a development centre in north London called the Independent Football Academy. After choosing to attend the university on a scholarship, Zakuani scored six goals in his freshman season with the Akron Zips
Akron Zips
One of the unique nicknames in all of intercollegiate athletics belongs to The University of Akron. Originally Zippers, athletic director Kenneth Cochrane officially shortened the nickname to the Zips in 1950. Twenty-five years earlier a campus-wide contest had been conducted to choose a nickname...
. This led to a professional offer that summer from Preston North End, but he had promised to return to Akron for his sophomore season. In 2008, he led the nation in scoring with 20 goals and 7 assists in 23 games to become a finalist for the Hermann Trophy
Hermann Trophy
The Hermann Trophy is awarded annually by the Missouri Athletic Club to the United States's top male and female college soccer players.-History:...
. He was only the second sophomore to be named Soccer America's men's collegiate player of the year for the season's efforts. His coach Caleb Porter said half of Zakuani's goals were individual efforts of "40-, 50-yard runs and beating three or four guys along the way," and that "Steve Zakuanis don't come around very often."
He played part of the 2008 USL Premier Development League
USL Premier Development League
The USL Premier Development League is the amateur league of the United Soccer Leagues in the United States, Canada, and Bermuda, forming part of the American Soccer Pyramid...
season with the Cleveland Internationals
Cleveland Internationals
Cleveland Internationals was an American soccer team based in Cleveland, Ohio, United States. Founded in 2004, the team played in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Great Lakes Division of the Central Conference...
. While only playing 11 matches, Zakuani scored nine goals and made four assists.
Professional
Zakuani was selected by Seattle Sounders FCSeattle Sounders FC
Seattle Sounders FC is an American professional soccer club based in Seattle, Washington. The club competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. Sounders FC was established in November 2007 as a MLS expansion team, making it the 15th team in...
as the number one pick in the 2009 MLS SuperDraft
2009 MLS SuperDraft
The 2009 MLS SuperDraft took place on January 15, 2009 in St. Louis, Missouri. It was the tenth annual Major League Soccer SuperDraft. The first selection was owned by the expansion Seattle Sounders FC...
on a Generation Adidas
Generation adidas
Generation adidas is a joint venture between Major League Soccer and U.S. Soccer aimed at raising the level of young soccer talent in the United States. The program, sponsored by adidas, encourages early entry of American players into MLS...
contract. He had turned down other contract offers to sign with Major League Soccer
Major League Soccer
Major League Soccer is a professional soccer league based in the United States and sanctioned by the United States Soccer Federation . The league is composed of 19 teams — 16 in the U.S. and 3 in Canada...
since the Generation Adidas program would allow for him to return to school to finish his education. Zakuani was a finalist for MLS Rookie of the Year in 2009 after leading all MLS rookies in scoring with four goals and four assists. On September 2, 2009, Sounders FC became the second MLS expansion team in league history (Chicago was first) to win the U.S. Open Cup
Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup
The Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup is a knockout tournament in American soccer. The tournament is the oldest ongoing American soccer competition and is presently open to all United States Soccer Federation affiliated teams, from amateur adult club teams to the professional clubs of Major League...
tournament in their first season. Zakuani was a starter in the championship match.
In his second professional season, he scored ten goals in the regular season to tie for the team lead with Fredy Montero. He was named MLS Player of the Week twice, and also won Goal of the Week twice. He also recorded the fastest goal in Sounders history with his fourth minute tally against the Columbus Crew
Columbus Crew
The Columbus Crew is an American professional soccer club based in Columbus, Ohio which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada...
in a 1–1 draw at Qwest Field
Qwest Field
CenturyLink Field is a multi-purpose stadium in Seattle, Washington, United States. It serves as the home field for the Seattle Seahawks of the National Football League and Seattle Sounders FC of Major League Soccer...
. It bettered the previous mark set by Zakuani the season before when he scored in the fifth minute at D.C. United. On October 5, 2010, Seattle won the 2010 U.S. Open Cup final
2010 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Final
The 2010 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Final was played on October 5, 2010, at Qwest Field in Seattle, Washington. The match determined the winner of the 2010 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, a tournament open to amateur and professional soccer teams affiliated with the United States Soccer Federation. This...
, becoming the first team since 1983 to repeat as U.S. Open Cup champions. Zakuani was again in the starting lineup for Sounders FC in the final. On November 7, 2010, Zakuani scored the Sounders' first ever playoff goal in a 2–1 loss to the Los Angeles Galaxy
Los Angeles Galaxy
The Los Angeles Galaxy are an American professional soccer team, based in the Los Angeles suburb of Carson, California, which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. It is one of the ten charter clubs of MLS, and the league's second...
.
The Sounders' management has encouraged its players to train with teams overseas. During a visit to England after the 2010 season, Zakuani trained with Everton F.C.
Everton F.C.
Everton Football Club are an English professional association football club from the city of Liverpool. The club competes in the Premier League, the highest level of English football...
to stay match fit. He received his green card before the 2011 season. This granted him permanent resident status in the US and exempted him from occupying one of the MLS limited international player slot on the club’s roster.
Zakuani scored two goals and had two assists in his first six appearances of the 2011 season. On April 22, 2011, three minutes into a game against the Colorado Rapids
Colorado Rapids
The Colorado Rapids are an American professional soccer club based in the Denver suburb of Commerce City, Colorado which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. It is one of the ten charter clubs of MLS, having competed in the league...
, Zakuani suffered a broken leg from a challenge by Brian Mullan
Brian Mullan
Brian Mullan is an American soccer player who plays for Colorado Rapids in Major League Soccer. He has previously played for Wisconsin Rebels, Colorado Comets, Los Angeles Galaxy, San Jose Earthquakes and Houston Dynamo. He is one of only two players to have won MLS Cup five times, the other being...
, fracturing his tibia and fibula. He underwent successful surgery later that same day, and will likely be out for the remainder of the 2011 season.
International
In 2009, Zakuani expressed interest in representing DR CongoCongo DR national football team
The Congo DR national football team is the national team of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and is controlled by the Fédération Congolaise de Football-Association , and are nicknamed The Leopards.Congo have been ranked as high as 51 in the FIFA Rankings...
if the opportunity presented itself. On November 12, 2010, Zakuani accepted a call up for a friendly match against Mali
Mali national football team
The Mali national football team, nicknamed Les Aigles , is the national team of Mali and is controlled by the Fédération Malienne de Football. They have never qualified for the World Cup finals.-History:...
. He played his first 45 minutes of international football in the 3–1 loss. In a 2011 interview with Dan Brennan of Arsenal.com, Zakuani admitted he's eligible to play for DR Congo and England, and will be eligible to play for the United States in a few years. He said "Of the three, I prefer the States as this is where I made my name as a player, but we’ll see how things turn out."
Playing style
Zakuani is a quick and agile player who likes to take defenders one-on-one. Sounders' coach Sigi SchmidSigi Schmid
Siegfried "Sigi" Schmid is a German-American soccer coach. Born in Tübingen, West Germany, he moved to the United States with his family when he was a child. He played college soccer from 1972 to 1975 at the University of California, Los Angeles , where he was a starting midfielder in each...
has said that Zakuani is a dangerous dribbler with good speed. He is right-footed and prefers playing on the left. He played on the left wing in a 4–4–2 formation
Formation (association football)
In association football, the formation describes how the players in a team are positioned on the pitch. Different formations can be used depending on whether a team wishes to play more attacking or defensive football....
with Arsenal and was a forward in college. Zakuani says that he plays with an attractive style he learned at Arsenal's youth academy.
Personal life
Zakuani has five siblings. An older brother, Gabriel ZakuaniGabriel Zakuani
Gabriel Zakuani is a Congolese professional footballer. He currently plays for Peterborough United.-Leyton Orient:...
, currently plays for Peterborough United in England and is a member of the Congolese national team
Congo DR national football team
The Congo DR national football team is the national team of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and is controlled by the Fédération Congolaise de Football-Association , and are nicknamed The Leopards.Congo have been ranked as high as 51 in the FIFA Rankings...
. Steve considers London his hometown but also considers himself Congolese.
As a teenager in London, he began "mixing with the wrong crowd." Zakuani was distracted from playing football by girls and parties. He said in an interview: "A lot of the people I grew up with ended up in prison, taking drugs, and never made it to university." He has strong feelings about the increase of knife crime in London since one of his friends was killed. In Seattle, he spends time with his teammates off of the field and has beaten several of them at the Pro Evolution
Pro Evolution Soccer (series)
Pro Evolution Soccer is a series of football video game developed and published by Konami...
video game. Zakuani enjoys reading and watching African comedies.
In 2010, he founded a non-profit organization called Kingdom Hope to run camps and provide scholarships. The project runs camps in the greater Seattle area. Zakuani has said that his ultimate goal is to open an academy to teach life coaching and soccer to teenagers in an effort to be a "bridge between talent and actually making it".
Career statistics
|-|2008 ||Cleveland Internationals
Cleveland Internationals
Cleveland Internationals was an American soccer team based in Cleveland, Ohio, United States. Founded in 2004, the team played in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Great Lakes Division of the Central Conference...
||USL Premier Development League
USL Premier Development League
The USL Premier Development League is the amateur league of the United Soccer Leagues in the United States, Canada, and Bermuda, forming part of the American Soccer Pyramid...
||11||9||-||-||-||-||-||-||11||9
|-
|2009 ||rowspan="3"|Seattle Sounders FC
Seattle Sounders FC
Seattle Sounders FC is an American professional soccer club based in Seattle, Washington. The club competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. Sounders FC was established in November 2007 as a MLS expansion team, making it the 15th team in...
||rowspan="3"|Major League Soccer
Major League Soccer
Major League Soccer is a professional soccer league based in the United States and sanctioned by the United States Soccer Federation . The league is composed of 19 teams — 16 in the U.S. and 3 in Canada...
||29||4||4||0||2||0||-||-||35||4
|-
|2010||29||10||3||0||2||1||3||0||37||11
|-
|2011||6||2||-||-||-||-||-||-||6||2
75||25||7||0||4||1||3||0||89||26
75||25||7||0||4||1||3||0||89||26
Seattle Sounders FC
- Lamar Hunt U.S. Open CupLamar Hunt U.S. Open CupThe Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup is a knockout tournament in American soccer. The tournament is the oldest ongoing American soccer competition and is presently open to all United States Soccer Federation affiliated teams, from amateur adult club teams to the professional clubs of Major League...
(2): 20092009 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open CupThe 2009 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup was the 96th edition of the oldest competition in American soccer, running from June through early September.The tournament proper features teams from the top five levels of the American Soccer Pyramid...
, 20102010 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open CupThe 2010 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup was the 97th edition of the oldest competition in American soccer, running from June through early October.The tournament proper featured teams from the top five levels of the American Soccer Pyramid...