EthniCity Soccer Amateur World-Cup-Style Tournament launched.

As the quadrennial FIFA World Cup soccer tournament strikes this coming summer, adult amateur players will also have a chance to shine in the new EthniCity Soccer USA seven-on-seven soccer tournament, with its final game to be held July 11, 2010, on Chicago’s Soldier Field, accompanied by a simulcast of the South Africa 2010 FIFA World Cup final.

What began four years ago as the Chicago World Cup, EthniCity Soccer USA aims to help foreigners and expats across the United States integrate through the world’s most popular sport. Players were encouraged to represent their home countries in the “7v7” elimination tourney, and now adult soccer tournaments nationwide are encouraged to register by February, 2010, to be among the 32 qualifiers for EthniCity Soccer USA 2010. Winning teams qualify to compete and represent their countries at Soldier Field, home of the Chicago Bears and the pitch for CONCACAF Gold Cup and other major, international soccer matches.

“Many foreigners yearn to stay connected with their homeland,” said Pascal Bedrossian, honorary president, EthniCity Soccer USA, and former MLS Chicago Fire midfielder, French Ligue 1 player, French Cup champion, and junior national star. “The tournament helps us to meet up with our countrymen and soccer players from everywhere, share our national pride and passion for our sport, and hopefully take home our own world cup.”
   
Jean-Francois Rochard, deputy cultural attache, Consulat General de France a Chicago, a key supporting organization, promotes the tournament to the French community, other consulates and embassies, and various Chicago institutions. “The United States and especially Chicago are wonderful melting pots for people from all corners of the world, and EthniCity Soccer USA is an engaging, new way to connect with their communities and learn other cultures,” he said.