09 Jun 2017

Draw marks the start of U.S. Open in Virginia

The teams know their opponents in Virginia Beach following Thursday's draw.

The 24th edition of the North American Sand Soccer Championships returns to Virginia Beach this weekend, with the U.S. Open set to headline a host of sand-based sports events

More than 11,000 players, young and old, male and female, will compete in various beach soccer competitions on the eastern coast of America between Friday 9th and Sunday 11th June during what is one of the most unique events in the sport’s calendar.

The U.S. Open is arguably the crowning glory of the event, with 12 teams comprised of elite players from across the world battling it out for the title.

Team Pugg, a team of American and Brazilian players, will be the team to beat as they hope to defend the title they claimed from FC Barcelona last year, with the Catalan side having finishing third in 2016.

Barca will be coached by former Spain international Ramiro Amarelle, and they will be joined by a host of America-based teams. HRSC Elite, Tidewater Captains and VB Alliance BSC all hail from Virginia while Team Canada will head south from Toronto to compete.

Completing the line-up are Go Beach Soccer, Great Lakes BSC, Maryzilians, New England FC, Norcal BSC and PA Azzurri.

The 12 teams will compete across three groups, with the semi-finals and the final taking place on Sunday afternoon.

Group A: Team Pugg, Team Canada, Great Lakes BSC, New England FC

Group B: FC Barcelona, Go Beach Soccer, Maryzilians, Tidewater Captains

Group C: HRSC Elite, NorCal BSC, PA Azzurri, VB Alliance BSC