The Soccer Tournament, also known as TST, is back for a second year, and ClutchPoints will be a part of the action this go around. ClutchPoints is set to be a sponsor for Zala, one of the top teams in the tournament. The team is led by iconic former MLS player A.J. DeLaGarza, and with a sponsorship on Zala’s jersey, ClutchPoints will be right in the mix of things in one of the most exciting events in the sport of soccer. TST is right around the corner, so in this article, we will explain everything you need to know about the tournament and the team that we here at ClutchPoints are sponsoring.
What is The Soccer Tournament
After the success of The Basketball Tournament (TBT), founders Jon Mugar and Dan Friel decided that soccer needed a tournament similar in structure to TBT. With the backing of partial owner Chris Paul, TBT Enterprises created The Soccer Tournament, a seven-a-side soccer tournament with a winner takes all prize of $1 million.
The first iteration of the tournament took place last year, and Newton Pride FC walked away victorious. TST is an exhilarating tournament with a spiced up set of rules that make the tournament’s potential endless.
Unlike other soccer leagues, there are no draws in TST. Additionally, the Elam Ending utilized by the tournament has been highly praised. With the rule in place, after the end of the second half, the remainder of the match consists of a “target score time.” This means that a target score is set by adding one goal to the leading team’s score (or a tied score), and the game ends when either team reaches that target score. If the score isn’t reached after five minutes, then one outfield player from each team leaves the field of play. This continues every five minutes until only one is left and the winning goal is scored.
On top of the Elam Ending, TST prohibits slide tackling, doesn’t allow punts or drop-kicks by goalkeepers, throw-ins are replaced by indirect free kicks, and there is no offsides. The matches are also played on smaller fields with smaller goals.
This year, the tournament will expand from 32 to 48 teams, and action starts on June 5, 2024. Matches will take place from June 5-10, and the action will take place at WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary, North Carolina. ESPN+ will broadcast the tournament.
TST teams consists of a variety of athletes, including former professional soccer players, as well as celebrities and athletes from other sports. Steve Nash, Pat McAfee, Chad Ochocinco, and J.J. Watt are a handful of the big name athletes not known for their soccer skills who will be performing in the tournament. TST will also feature soccer icons such as Sergio Aguero and Nani. The 2024 tournament will also be the first with a women’s division as well.
Who is Zala
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One of the most exciting teams in the field of 48 is Zala. ClutchPoints is a proud sponsor of the team and will be featured on their jerseys. Zala went 1-2 in group play last year, but they excited with 12 goals and made it all the way to the semifinals. They lost to SLC FC in the second-to-last round.
Zala is led by some of soccer’s finest talent. Most notably, A.J. DeLaGarza will be playing defense for the team. The former staple of LA Galaxy’s roster in the early 2010s is a three-time MLS Cup Champion. The team’s defense will be set, as Graham Zusi will also be playing on the squad. The defender is a former USMNT player and World Cup veteran. The team’s entire roster can be found here.
With more teams and more big names in the fold this year, The Soccer Tournament is sure to see an increase in popularity, even after a very successful year one. ClutchPoints will be rooting on Zala to win it all, but will you be?
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