Darwin Jones (left) & Jamael Cox (righ) presenting medals (photo by Chris Coulter, SoundersPhotos.com)

Tacoma, WA. – On Sunday, May 6th, the US Youth Soccer Washington State Championships were played at Starfire Sports. After the battles were finished on the field, the celebration of the athlete’s efforts commenced with the help of the Sounders FC U-23. Sounders FC U-23 players, Darwin Jones and Jamael Cox, along with “The Voice of the Sounders FC U-23s”, Jon Billings, conducted the awards ceremony.

16 championship matches were played throughout the day at Starfire. Ages U-12 up to U-15 competed in either the US Youth Soccer, Washington State Championships or they contended for the Washington State Challenge Cup in various divisions.

State championship finalists aimed for a spot in the U.S. Youth Regionals. Whether they won the title or not, they were treated with a chance to receive their medals from Cox and Jones in front of family and friends.

When one U-13 player remarked before Jamael Cox placed the medal over her head, “Wow, this is exciting!” Cox’s teammate, Darwin Jones smiled and responded, “Great, that’s the idea.”

Darwin Jones (left) & Jamael Cox (righ) present awards to medalists (photo by Chris Coulter, SoundersPhotos.com)

A video recap of the tournament will be available later this week on WashingtonYouthSoccer.org.

The U-23’s will kick off the 2012 PDL Season on May 11 in Canada against the Victoria Highlanders. After two more road matches, the Sounders U23 will player their 1st PDL Home Opener on May 25 against Victoria. The match will kick off at 7:30pm at Franklin Pierce High School. See SoundersU23.com for details.