GREENSBORO, NC (WFMY) -- As the World Cup heats up in Russia, soccer is also heating up in the Triad. The 2018 US Youth Soccer Southern Regional Championships kicked off in Greensboro Friday. More than 200 teams, 4,500 athletes, coaches, and recruiters have converged on Bryan Park for the championship.
"Athletes who are representing from 12 different states all with the goal of being one of the 14 finalists to go on to the national championship," said Don Bohnet of US Youth Soccer. "Greensboro and this complex have been really great. We are really excited to be here and it's a great venue for us to have. The kids love to compete in this and it is the best opportunity to showcase the skills they have," added Bohnet.
Carlee Zettergren of Hendersonville, Tennessee hoped to be one of those athletes to make it that far.
"I am very excited but nervous but mostly excited. I am hoping to get very far, to go as far as possible said Zettergren.
Organizers are also expecting more than 12,000 spectators from the triad, the state, and all over the country. The huge influx of people has begun impacting our area with lots of people spending money at local businesses.
"We have some people from soccer," said Ravi Khanna as he greeted a family in town for the tournament. Khanna owns the Elm St. Grill in Greensboro.
"I have already started getting people coming in so looking forward to the weekend," said Khanna. Like many business owners in the city, Khanna is excited about the soccer tournament which is not too far from his restaurant.
"Whenever there's a tournament at Bryan Park customers come in from out of town," added Khanna.
This is the second time the City of Greensboro has played host to the championship. This, in particular, has already proven to be a big money maker. The convention and visitors bureau said it injected an estimated $7.5 million dollars into the local economy in 2017.
"I think it is good for the economy of Greensboro. We are prepared for it and if it is, we are looking forward to it," said an optimistic Khanna.
The players, coaches and accompanying family need a place to sleep as well and their presence has been prosperous for the hotels.
"One of the things that were the allure for Greensboro being selected is the hospitality that they can provide, the number of hotels we have to provide because basically, we are filling a lot of hotels," said Bohnet.
The soccer tournament is not the only thing bringing cash into town. The Powerade State Games High School Basketball Tournament also tipped off at the Greensboro Coliseum Friday afternoon. That event has 30 teams squaring up in different groups.
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