Major youth soccer tournament returning to Northeast Wisconsin

Hundreds of youth soccer teams are expected to descend upon the Green Bay and Fox Valley areas in 2015 for championship tournaments.

The U.S. Youth Soccer Region II Championship is set for June of that year. Organizers say it will be the third time the tournament has been held in Northeast Wisconsin. It was last held in the area in 2011.

Events are slated to kick off with opening ceremonies June 19 at Lambeau Field. Round robin games will take place June 20-22 and the semifinals and finals for all age groups are set for June 23-24. Games are scheduled for Southwest Park in De Pere and the USA Youth Sports Complex in Appleton.

The tournament is expected to draw 214 teams of players between 13 and 19 years old from 13 Midwestern states. It is also expected to bring 14,000 spectators to the area.

U.S. Youth Soccer estimates the 2011 tournament made a $6.5 million impact on the local economy.