Pasadena Youth Soccer Team Represents U.S.A. at Volkswagen Junior World Masters in France

Pasadena’s own FC Golden State Youth Soccer Club has traveled to France to compete for the Volkswagen Junior World Masters title against teams from 20 countries across five continents.

The tournament takes place Friday to Monday, May 13 through 16, 2016, at the Centre National du Football à Clairefontaine.

The Pasadena-based club first secured the U.S. National Championship in San Diego in conjunction with the Nomads Thanksgiving Tournament from November 28 to 29, 2015. After five rounds of intense competition, F.C. Golden State secured a spot in the World Masters.

“The opportunity to compete at the Volkswagen Junior World Masters in France is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the entire team,” said Jose Botello, F.C. Golden State coach. “We are proud to represent the United States in the tournament and look forward to the amazing experience of competing against youth soccer teams from around the world.”

This will be the third consecutive tournament that a boys-under-age-13 team from California will represent the United States at the Volkswagen Junior World Masters.

For FC Golden State, it is its second time to earn a spot in the World Masters. The club also competed in the 2011-2012 Volkswagen Junior Masters World Tournament in Warsaw, Poland.

The Junior Masters World tournament began in 1999 and is one of the largest youth soccer tournaments in the world. It offers talented youth players from around the world the opportunity to refine and showcase their footwork and soccer skills on an international stage.

FC Golden State Soccer Club is a non-profit organization based in Pasadena, and maintains nearly 100 boys and girls teams between the ages of five and 19 from Los Angeles to San Bernardino and beyond. Teams compete in the Coast Soccer League, Southern California Development Soccer League, U.S. Soccer Development Academy, and the Professional Development League.

FCGS was formed in 2007 spurred by the vision to develop soccer players to their highest potential. The coaching staff incorporates highly qualified European, South American, Central American, Mexican and U.S. coaches who continually work to develop their knowledge, techniques and coaching philosophies to help children develop their ultimate potential.

Volkswagen of America has been actively involved with the Volkswagen Junior Masters global program since 2009. Through these efforts, Volkswagen is providing the nation’s most talented and passionate athletes the premier opportunity to compete and perform at a higher level.

For more information about the Volkswagen Junior World Masters tournament, visit www.juniormasters.com.

To learn more about the FC Golden State Youth Soccer Club, visit www.fcgoldenstate.com.