Albuquerque, Nm. – Albuquerque’s own Elite FC Gladiators boys soccer team was accepted to play in the US Youth Soccer National League for the 2009-2010 season. This is the first time a team from New Mexico was chosen to be a part of the prestigious league. 

The Elite FC Gladiators are five-time New Mexico State Champions, were Region IV finalists at the 2009 championships, and were the 2009 Spring Far West Region League champions.

The league is comprised of only two teams out of each of the four soccer regions in the United States. Along with the Gladiators are:

Region I- Hicksville Strikers, New York East State Champions, Region I Champions, and National Finalists

Region I- Penn Fusion Academy Copa 82, Pennsylvania East State Champions

Region II- Blast FC Red- Ohio South state semifinalists

Region II- Campton United Navy- Illinois State finalists, Region II Champions

Region III- Carolina Elite Premier- South Carolina State Champions and Region III Champions

Region III- GSA Phoenix Red- Georgia State Champions

Region IV- Real So. Cal White- Region IV quarterfinalists, Surf Cup Champions, Dallas Cup Champions

Games for the Gladiators are December 10-13 in Raleigh, North Carolina and March 19-21 in Las Vegas, NV.

The top two teams in the league receive an automatic bid to the National Championships in Kansas in July 2010.