Copa Lowe’s Nacional III set to Kickoff in Los Angeles.

Copa Lowe’s and Alianza de Fútbol Hispano return to Los Angeles with the kickoff of their third annual national finals, Copa Lowe’s Nacional III, on January 16. Six of the top Hispanic amateur teams in the United States have earned their spot in the Copa Lowe’s Nacional III, and will compete for the honor of being named the top Hispanic amateur team in the country. The tournament will take place at Cal-State Fullerton’s Titan Stadium from January 16 through January 22. Also invited to participate in the tournament are the Under-21 teams of two professional first division Mexican teams – Chivas de Guadalajara and CF Pachuca.

”Lowe’s is thrilled to bring Copa Lowe’s Nacional to Los Angeles for its third consecutive year, and we’re even more excited to give the athletes and loyal fans of the tournament an event they can truly call their own,” said Bob Gfeller, senior vice president of marketing at Lowe’s. “We’re proud of all of the remarkable athletes who participated nationwide and hope this marquee contest will continue to rally communities and families together as it grows over the years.”

For the Copa Lowe’s Nacional III, the six US-based amateur teams, and the two U-21 Mexican clubs will be divided into two groups of four, for round-robin, group play. The group winners and second place teams will then advance to the semi-finals, to be played on Saturday, January 20. The final will be played on Sunday, January 21 at 12:00 p.m. The top finishing U.S. team will be crowned as the top Hispanic amateur team in the country and will be awarded a $10,000 cash prize.

The Copa Lowe’s local tournaments were played from July through December in New York, Chicago, Miami, Dallas, Houston, San Antonio, Phoenix, Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego, and El Paso. The tournament champions of the eleven local tournaments advanced to one of three regional tournaments. Advancing to the Copa Lowe’s Nacional III are the three regional champions, Selección Colombia of Miami, Altavista of El Paso, and Pumitas of San Diego, and the highest second place team from the regionals, Aguaje of San Francisco. Joining them in the tournament are last year’s Copa Lowe’s Nacional’s amateur champion, Toros FC of Dallas, and this year’s Los Angeles champion Academia.

As part of the tournament festivities, Lowe’s will once again bring legendary Mexican broadcaster Enrique “El Perro” Bermúdez to appear at the national finals at Titan Stadium for an autograph session on Saturday, January 20. Additionally, retired soccer superstar and Mexican National Team great Alberto Garcia Aspe will be conducting a free kid’s soccer clinic on Saturday, January 20, and will hold autograph sessions on both January 20th and Sunday, January 21.

In addition to the Title Sponsor Lowe’s, Alianza de Fútbol Hispano’s 2006 Copa Lowe’s Nacional III sponsors include Southwest Airlines as the presenting sponsor, Univision, CSK Auto, Inc., Sigue Corp., Army National Guard, Pizza Patron, and Dish Latino.

Copa Lowe’s Nacional III Schedule (all events at Titan Stadium, Cal-State Fullerton)

Tuesday, January 16
First round games
5:00 pm, 7:00 pm

Wednesday, January 17
First round games
5:00 pm, 7:00 pm

Thursday, January 18
First round games
5:00 pm, 7:00 pm

Saturday, January 20
Garcia Aspe Clinic
2:00 pm

Saturday, January 20
Semi-finals
5:00 pm, 7:00 pm

Sunday, January 21
3rd Place Game
10:00 a.m.

Sunday, January 21
Championship Game
12:00 p.m.

Participating Teams:

Toros FC, Dallas
Defending Amateur Champion

Academia, Los Angeles
Los Angeles Champion, Host Team

Selección Colombia, Miami
Eastern Regional Champion

Altavista, El Paso
Central Regional Champion

Pumitas, San Diego
Western Regional Champion

Aguaje, San Francisco
Regional Tournament Wildcard