The American showpiece gets under way in Virginia on Friday with the holders back in town.
FC Barcelona look set to be the team to beat for those competing at the U.S. Open this weekend as the defending champions return to Oceanfront, Virginia Beach.
The Catalan giants were the first European team to compete at the tournament in 2015 and marked the occasion by claiming the title with a 5-1 victory over three-time Open champions HRSC Elite of Virginia in the final.
MVP status for captain and now player-coach Ramiro Amarelle as well as a golden toe award for striker Noel Ott capped an impressive tournament for Barca who will now represent a prized scalp for the other 15 sides competing this time around.
Amarelle and Ott are both in the squad again this year – the former having put on a series of coaching sessions for local children in the build-up to the competition – with Barca once again set to come up against a strong field on the east coast.
HRSC Elite maintain their record as U.S. Open ever presents and will set their sights on regaining the trophy, while the Costa Rica national team are keen to maintain their gradual improvement by testing themselves against quality opposition.
Team Canada make the long trip down to Virginia although local sides Alliance, ETA United, McLean BSC, North End United and Tidewater Captains will hope to make the most of home advantage.
Two-time winners FBS FC, or Flamilia, largely hail from Florida and boast a real Brazilian flavour among their squad while Great Lakes will hope to improve from their 15th-place finish at the Beach Soccer USA Cup.
META BSC from Colombia make their first U.S. Open appearance with PA Azzurri, Mountaineers, Portland BSC and Team Pugg completing an impressive line-up.
The action gets under way on Friday at 9.30am and culminates with Sunday’s final at 2.00pm (local times). Results and standings available at www.sandsoccer.com.
