MLS kicks-off the 2011 Budweiser Cup.

Budweiser and Major League Soccer (MLS) is offering amateur players the chance to live their soccer dreams in the Budweiser Cup. Teams will compete in six-a-side matches throughout Southern California, Arizona, and Las Vegas for a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Argentina to play against winning squads from around the world.

The 2011 Budweiser Cup will expand from 16 to 19 cities and begin in Santa Ana, Calif., on Saturday, April 30, and conclude in Las Vegas, Nev. on Sunday, May 29. Each local tournament will host up to 64 teams, with two finalists from each city receiving cash prizes and a spot in the championship on Saturday, June 11, prior to the LA Galaxy vs. Toronto FC game at The Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif. The championship team will receive a trip to Argentina to represent the United States in the Global Beer Champions tournament held at the legendary LA BOMBONERA stadium.

In addition to playing on the same field as the best footballers in the world, participants in the international finals will experience the comforts that go along with being soccer superstars, including round-trip airfare to Argentina, first-class hotel accommodations and tickets to two matches to the biggest soccer tournament in South America.

“Major League Soccer is proud to present the 2011 Budweiser Cup and continue the six-a-side tradition that attracts soccer enthusiasts worldwide,” said David Wright, Vice President of Partnership Marketing for Soccer United Marketing, MLS’ marketing arm.

“By partnering with Major League Soccer to present the Budweiser Cup, we have the opportunity to provide soccer’s passionate fans and amateur players a chance to compete in and experience one of the world’s premier soccer events in person,” said Mark Wright, vice president, media, sports & entertainment marketing, Anheuser-Busch. “The tournament also reinforces Budweiser’s commitment to advancing the sport of soccer by bringing the nation’s top amateur players to the global stage to compete against teams from across the world.”

Registration for the local tournaments is open until a capacity of 64 teams has been reached for each tournament. Teams interested in participating in the tournament can register by calling 1-800-609-3414 or by visiting www.MLSCopaBudweiser.com.

Major League Soccer will donate a percentage of the registration fees to local Hispanic charities in each tournament city that are currently working with Anheuser-Busch and its local wholesalers.

Budweiser is an official sponsor of Major League Soccer and the Global Beer Champions tournament. For the second consecutive year, PRIMETIME Sports and Entertainment, a leading sports marketing company, will be managing and producing the Budweiser Cup tournament.