100th Anniversary of National Amateur Cup Soccer Tournament
A CENTURY OF PASSION, UNITY, AND EXCELLENCE IN CHICAGO
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
100th Anniversary of National Amateur Cup Soccer Tournament: A Century of Passion, Unity, and Excellence in Chicago
Chicago, Illinois — December 11, 2023 — Soccer enthusiasts from across the nation are eagerly anticipating the historic 100th anniversary of the National Amateur Cup soccer tournament, set to take place from July 25-28, 2024 in DeKalb, Illinois outside Chicago. This landmark event celebrates a century of amateur soccer, bringing together amateur soccer teams to compete for the Fritz Marth Cup.
Since its inception, the Amateur Cup has been emblematic of amateur soccer in the United States, fostering a strong sense of community among soccer players and fans alike. Over the years, the tournament has become a testament to the grassroots passion for the beautiful game.
The centennial edition promises to be an extraordinary spectacle, bringing teams from all corners of the country to the Chicago area for the semifinal and final games.
“The 100th anniversary of the Amateur Cup is a momentous occasion for players, teams, and fans. This tournament has been a cornerstone of amateur soccer for a century, embodying the essence of dedication and sportsmanship,” said John Motta, President of United States Adult Soccer Association. “The first Amateur Cup final was held in Chicago in 1924 and we are excited to host this remarkable event back in the Chicago area.”
The tournament will feature men’s’ and women’s’ semifinal matches leading to the final, where they will vie for the prestigious title of National Amateur Cup champion. The champion receives a place in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup competition which includes both amateur and professional teams.
Unlike other amateur competitions, the National Amateur Cup tournament is open to any amateur team in the country that enters one of the regional qualifying events. This is a change made possible by the USASA National Board of Directors which approved a policy change that permits teams unaffiliated with USASA to enter the National Amateur Cup provided they register with the appropriate state association or national office. Unaffiliated teams will now be able to enter an approved state association qualifying competition. Teams from national amateur leagues such as the National Premier Soccer League, the Women’s Premier Soccer League, and United Women’s Soccer are expected to compete as well as teams from NISA Nation and several multi-state regional leagues.
The event will take place in DeKalb, Illinois about an hour’s drive from Chicago’s O’Hare airport. The local USASA club, Dekalb County United, will serve as the host organization. DeKalb County United plays in the Midwest Premier League, a USASA multi-state amateur league with more than 30 teams throughout the Midwest.
John Hall, President of DeKalb County United said, “We are thrilled to have been selected as the host of the 100th USASA National Amateur Cup. We’re grateful for our partners at Northern Illinois University for working with us to make this event possible in DeKalb County. Thank you to USASA for their trust and collaboration to make this a reality. We look forward to welcoming the top amateur men’s and women’s clubs in the nation to our community in 2024 for an historic event.”
In addition to the competition on the field, the 100th-anniversary celebrations will include a variety of festivities. USASA Executive Director Bruce Bode said, “we are planning fan zones and special guest appearances. We will also highlight the history of this tournament during the build up to and at the finals. We want to create an unforgettable experience for players, fans, and families, ensuring that the event resonates with all members of the soccer community.”
For more information, sponsorship opportunities, and entry details, please visit the official tournament website at: https://www.usadultsoccer.com/amateurcup
Press Contacts:
Bruce Bode, Executive Director United States Adult Soccer Association. Email: bbode@usasa.com Phone: 630-614-1280
Richard Groff, National Amateur Cup Administrator. Email: rgroffusasa@gmail.com Phone: 215-208-2205
John Hall, President, DeKalb County United. Email: Dkcu.john@gmail.com Phone: 815-739-7405
About National Amateur Cup
Amateur Cup is the oldest and largest elite open amateur team competition that selects an amateur champion and includes multiple national, regional and state leagues. Started in 1923 by the United States Soccer Federation, the National Amateur Cup will crown its 100th Champion next July in Illinois, the site of the 1924 Championship. The National Amateur Cup is an elite program of the United States Adult Soccer Association and includes over 125 high level amateur teams entering local state association and national league events. SC Mesoamerica of Los Angeles was the 2023 champion. Recently, Michelob Ultra and Dunkin’ became supporting partners of the National Amateur Cup. For more information visit: https://www.usadultsoccer.com/amateurcup
About USASA
The United States Adult Soccer Association is the national association for adult amateur soccer in the United States. Established in 1982, USASA oversees a wide range of adult soccer programs, leagues, and competitions, providing opportunities for players of varying skill levels to engage in the sport. Through its fifty-four state associations, 220,000 players and national leagues, USASA promotes the growth and development of adult soccer at both the recreational and competitive levels, fostering a sense of community and sportsmanship. USASA is a member of the United States Soccer Federation and plays a vital role in advancing the adult soccer landscape in the United States.
ABOUT DKCU
DeKalb County United is a minor-league soccer club serving communities of North Central Illinois. Founded in 2017, DKCU is a non-profit 501c4 volunteer managed organization committed to uniting our community through soccer. Men’s and women’s teams participate in the Midwest Premier League, Illinois Women’s Soccer League and National Metro Soccer League. In partnership with a full youth academy, the club looks to provide our supporters with a fantastic matchday atmosphere at NIU while providing DeKalb County businesses and organizations with support through our joint fundraising efforts, engagement and marketing to promote local initiatives.
DKCU is 100% community funded through memberships, sponsors, ticket sales and outreach events hosted by the club. More information can be found at dkcunited.com or www.dkcuacademy.org.
