The Disney Soccer Showcase is ranked the #1 youth soccer tournament in the United States with the top teams invited from all over the United States. It is held annually between Christmas and New Years at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando, Florida. The ’94 AYSES Gold, coached by Sammy Olali, received and accepted an invitation to attend this prestigious tournament late last summer.
Some of the best teams from North Carolina, Arizona and Kentucky were in the AYSES Gold bracket. The weather was warm and beautiful allowing for some great soccer and AYSES Gold responded by defeating all three teams in their bracket by a total score of 12-1, an usually high differential by Disney standards.
AYSES Gold advanced to the Bracket Championship playing the number 40th rated team in the US as rated by GotSoccer.com, from Ohio. Ohio United won two of their three bracket games to advance to the championship against AYSES Gold. All championship games are played at the spectacular Disney Soccer Complex with college coaches watching closely on the sidelines. Ohio United was a formidable team but with precision passing and quick ball movement AYSES Gold held a 2-0 halftime lead and coasted to the win. Although Ohio United had a great effort the ball movement by AYSES Gold was impressive and multiple college coaches were taking notice. During the AYSES Gold award ceremony several coaches were talking with Coach Sammy and the players as well.
Due to the efforts of Dave Lassiter, one of the AYSES Gold parents, over 100 college coaches saw the AYSES Gold team play during the tournament. Division I colleges like Notre Dame, Louisville, Clemson, Winthrop, Florida Atlantic and others were represented as well as a large number of top division II two colleges.
It was great to see the hard work and commitment by Sammy and these young men transform into such a successful display of soccer in their last major showcase tournament. A large number of eligible players from this team are being recruited to play at the collegiate level.
