Thirty-two teams reaching as far east as New York and as far west as California made the trip to Richard Siegel Soccer Complex to compete to see who is the best youth soccer team in the nation. By the end of Sunday, eight teams ranging in age divisions from age 14 to 17 were crowned champions.

“We had outstanding play and competition,” said Craig Long, executive vice president of the Tennessee State Soccer Association. “It really showed that we are the volunteer state.” He is also the Murfreesboro chairperson of the National President’s Cup and 2011 South Regional.

The city of Murfreesboro also came away as champions with an estimated economic impact of $730,000, according to Mona Herring, vice president of the Rutherford County Convention and Visitor’s Bureau.

“The visitors were blown away with everything,” she added.

The 2010 National President’s Cup is first of two high profile US youth soccer tournaments coming to Murfreesboro. In June 2011, the Siegel Soccer Complex will play host to the US Youth Soccer Region III (South) Championships.

“It’s a very prestige honor to have the first soccer national tournament in the state,” Murfreesboro Parks and Recreation Athletic Director Thomas Laird said. “The maintenance crew takes pride in making this place shine.”

The US youth soccer organization picked Murfreesboro to hold last weekend’s tournament over San Diego, Denver and South Bend, Ind.

“The soccer complex is better than I have ever seen,” said Ed Loucks, committee chairman of the US Youth Soccer Presidents Cup. “The city did a excellent job with the stadium.”

Even though none of the teams from the state of Tennessee advanced to the tournament, there were two of the players, who were members of last year’s girls under-16 champions, the Murfreesboro Soccer Club Lady Strikers that played in the 2010 tournament, that played in the tournament.

Jordan and Jennifer Retzlaff transferred to the St. Louis Scott Gallagher team in the same age division. Jordan said it was great coming back to Murfreesboro.

“I think it’s fun to be back here,” she said.

Jennifer added she was excited to play in a second consecutive National President’s Cup.

“I’m happy for us,” she said. “It’s a chance in a million.”

Their head coach Keith Thomas was happy to have somebody show the team around town.

The tournament format featured four age division both boys and girls. Each age division had four teams that played a round-robin format against the other three squads. The Retzlaffs’ team tied all three of their matches and finished third in the group.

The team finished out the tournament with a 1-0 win in the consolation game over the Manhattan Kickers SC 93 out of New York. Jordan scored in the 36^th minute for the only goal in the game.