CHELSEA FC INVITES TOP U.S. YOUTH SOCCER PLAYERS TO TRAIN, COMPETE IN LONDON AS PART OF U.S. ALL-STAR TEAM 1/1/2008 ORLANDO – Eighteen of America’s best youth soccer players were named to Disney’s Soccer Showcase All-Star Team today during a ceremony at Disney’s Wide World of Sports. Disney’s Soccer Showcase All-Star Team, comprising of at least one player from each team in the under 16 boys showcase bracket, has been invited by English Premier League team Chelsea Football Club to train at compete at the club’s world-class facilities near London. The All-Star Team will compete in the inaugural Chelsea FC Youth Cup in August 2008, which will bring together teams from across the world for an international competition. “During the last few days at Disney’s Soccer Showcase, we have witnessed some incredible young talent in America. Through our rewarding partnerships with Disney and adidas, we are able to bring these All-Stars to London to train and compete at the Chelsea Academy - one of the leading soccer academies in the world. This international exchange of competition truly celebrates the camaraderie of the world’s sport,” said Eddie Newton, Chelsea Academy under 16 team coach. Players were selected based on their performances at Disney’s Soccer Showcase, the premier youth soccer tournament in the U.S. “These players represent some of the best young talent in America and this rare opportunity to experience one of the leading soccer academies in the world will be invaluable in the development of their soccer careers. This is just one of the many ways players who compete in Disney's Soccer Showcase will benefit from our association with the prestigious Chelsea Football Club,” said Mike Millay, Director of Sports Events for Disney Sports Attractions. Disney’s Soccer Showcase 2008 All-Star Team: • Alexander Givens, 15, Raleigh (NC), CASL 91 Elite • Alexander Long, 16, Raleigh (NC), CASL 91 Elite • Dale McDonald, 15, New York City (NY), NY Hota Academy 91 • Alexander Sandland, 15, Atlanta (GA), Concorde Fire Elite • Martin Ontiveros, 16, Austin (TX), Lonestars 92 Red • Omar Vallejo, 16, Austin (TX), Lonestars 92 Red • Wesley Sever, 16, Clearwater (FL), Clearwater Chargers • Antonio Benitez, 16, Pasadena (CA), LAFC • Mariano Gelso, 16, West Palm Beach (FL), Wellington Wave Premier • Reed Patterson, 16, Chicago (IL), Sockers FC Chicago • Vitalis Atemafac, 16, New Carrollton (MD), Potomac SA Internationals • Quincy Wento, 15, Phoenix (AZ), Sereno 92 White • Kevin Cope, 16, Livonia (MI), Michigan Wolves 92 • Andrew O’Malley, 16, Downingtown (PA), FC DELCO 91 Academy • Thomas Allott, 16, Brighton (MI), Vardar Academy • Christopher Nieto, 16, Dallas (TX), Solar 92 • Sean Cote, 16, Dallas (TX), Solar 92 • Matias Alves, 16, Miami (FL), Kendall Soccer Coalition White Additionally, the head coach and assistant coach of the Showcase’s winning under 16 team will be invited to accompany the all-star group to London as the official team coaches. The adidas International Training Program, a resource dedicated to providing developmental and educational experiences for top level youth soccer players, college players and coaches, will operate Disney’s Soccer Showcase All-Star Team program. More information about Disney’s Soccer Showcase All-Star team and the inaugural Chelsea FC Youth Cup will be available at www.chelseafc.com/america, Chelsea Football Club's dedicated membership site for fans in America. The aim of the Academy at Chelsea is to produce home-grown professional soccer players capable of competing with Europe's elite. Based at Chelsea's state-of-the-art training facility on the outskirts of London, the Academy nurtures talent from the age of seven upwards. Currently, the Chelsea Academy has 132 registered players under 18. Whether spotted locally or brought in from abroad, any young player wanting to join Chelsea must strive to be the best in the world.