International Soccer Event Returns to Canton, Ohio

June 13, 2011 - PRLog -- International Soccer Network LLC is proud to announce the return of North America's first and only free soccer combine for high school athletes. The 2011 Samurai Sportswear Soccer Combine Presented by Mercy Medical Center will take place at the Diamond Sports Complex in Canton, Ohio in picturesque Plain Township.

High school girls will participate in a three-day weekend event on July 8-10, followed by the combine for high school boys on July 15-17. Elite players capable of playing at the high levels of collegiate soccer will be traveling to Stark County from across the U.S. and Canada.

"We are excited to bring this free combine back to Stark County and Plain Township," Gary L. Moody Jr., editor of International Soccer Network LLC stated. "We provide players with an opportunity to compete against unparalleled competition, gain valuable exposure, and be seen by high quality college coaches. They get a three-day event for free, which is unheard of in the world of youth sports."

"We want to thank all of our sponsors for their generosity and support, especially Samurai Sportswear," Moody continued. "Without them, this event would not be possible."

The event is designed to serve several purposes. First, the combine will provide elite players an opportunity to showcase their talent to media members and college coaches for free. Second, local players are given a chance to compete against players from across North America.

Third, it gives Northeast Ohio an opportunity to be seen as a hotbed for youth soccer and gain exposure for one of the best soccer markets in all of the United States. "The University of Akron, the country's top men's soccer program, is just up the road," Moody explained. "We have a new professional soccer club coming to Cleveland in 2012 and the Bothwell Cup returning to Diamond Sports Complex this fall. It is a great time to be a soccer player and fan here in Ohio."

Finally, the combine is seen as a tool to promote the sport of soccer throughout North America. Soccer is growing in popularity in every corner of the continent with over 60,000 registered players in Ohio alone.

The 2011 Samurai Sportswear Soccer Combine is made possible through the support of our local, national, and international sponsors including Samurai Sportswear, Mercy Medical Center, Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce, Canton Stark County Convention and Visitors' Bureau, Pelé Sports, Holiday Inn Canton, Fox Soccer Channel, SONIC Drive-In (Nobles Pond and Washington Square locations), Old Carolina Barbeque Company, Donatos Pizza (North Main Street, North Canton location), Chick-fil-A at Westfield Belden Village Mall, Subside Sports, OnlineSoccerAcademy.com, CollegeRecruitingWebsite.com, The Social Footballer, Total Soccer Magazine, Kishman's IGA, Farmakidis Allstate Agency, Philly Connection, Telcommand Coaching System, and Spectrum Soccer School Inc.

The combine is also used to promote the good work of two charity partners, One World Futbol Project and the HandsOnSports Foundation.

For more information or to download an application please visit www.samuraicombine.com.

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International Soccer Network is a news agency based in Northeastern Ohio that provides coverage of international soccer via an online format.