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Economic woes fail to derail annual area soccer showcase

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BY ERIC HORCHY

THE SUNCOAST NEWS

Published: February 14, 2009

TAMPA - Many of the Suncoast's top youth soccer players will hit fields in four different locations this weekend to kick off the fourth annual Score at the Shore Winter showcase.

The Saturday - Monday event will welcome 230 teams ranging from Under-13 to Under-18/19 that are based not only throughout Tampa and the rest of the state, but all over North America.

While teams will compete against each other to win overall age groupings, the main purpose of the event is to showcase players' talents to a bevy of college coaches and recruiters from schools nationwide.

Bruce Binler, the girls director for the tournament, said that upward of 100 recruiters typically are in attendance.

"That's what this event is all about," he said. "It's great to be in a big tournament and to win, but the truth of the matter is that these college coaches are down there looking for one or two kids regardless of overall results."
Score at the Shore also holds an annual summer showcase in Greensboro, N.C., and Binler did mention that each event is going to be down slightly from year's past because of the current economic downturn.

"This year is a bit of an off year, but it's not just here," he said, referring to many events countrywide that have had to cancel outright.

Locally, soccer clubs from all over North Pinellas and West Pasco - such as East Lake Arsenal, Palm Harbor Premier, Clearwater Chargers and the Hudson Lady Cobras - will participate.

Hudson Coach Chris Swezy has his girls U18/19 team entered for the second consecutive year and said the opportunity for providing players extra exposure is what makes these events so attractive. And since the games do not count toward state or national rankings, there is a better chance to dole out equal playing time.

"In a showcase style event, what most coaches do is try to get a lot of playing time for the entire roster," he said. "It's also important to make sure the girls understand to not give up on plays during games no matter what because you never know who might be watching."

While the vast majority of college recruiters will key in on U16 and older players, even teams like Brian Patterson's Palm Harbor 93/94 Premier U15 squad have the potential to get looks from somebody. Patterson said that at other national events, coaches from the U.S. Youth Soccer Olympic Development Program will stop by if there are players of interest.

Anyone can watch the three-day tournament unfold and games are spread between four different sites in Tampa, South Tampa, Wesley Chapel and Land O' Lakes. More information on specific games and field locations can be found at www.scoreattheshore.net>.

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