About Us

International Amateur Sports Inc. (IASI) was founded in 2006 in Washington, DC to establish and host major, amateur, international sports competitions in the capital city of the United States.

The Washington, DC Metropolitan Area offers a unique combination of sports, political, cultural, academic, hospitality and international resources.  The monuments, government buildings, and government leaders in Washington, DC are constantly in the news and recognized all over the world.  The museums, art galleries, performing arts and professional sports here are world class, making Washington one of the leading tourist destinations.  And there is a special mystique to the Capital of the United States related to its aura of power, natural beauty and diversity.

The founders of IASI are passionate soccer fans who have long thrilled to the intensity of international soccer competitions at the highest levels–from the World Cup to international friendlies.  In addition, the Washington, DC Metropolitan area is represented by national championship amateur soccer teams, as well as D.C. United, the four time champion of the United States professional soccer league Major League Soccer.  The Metropolitan Area has many native sons and daughters in leading teams around the world.  Soccer facilities here are easily accessible and of excellent quality.

To signal the prestige of IASI’s first international competition, we chose the largest, crystal Tiffany & Co. trophy cup as the prize to the victor. The 2006 International Amateur Soccer Tournament–The Challenge for the Tiffany Trophy Cup was etched with the names of the co-hosts (International Amateur Sports Inc. and McLean Youth Soccer of Virginia), the sanctioning organizations Virginia Youth Soccer Association and United States Soccer Federation, the venue McLean, Virginia, and the date of the Championship Game. In 2007 the etching reflected our new co-host D.C. Stoddert Soccer of Washington, D.C. and the Arlingtion, Virgina venue. For 2009, the Tournament venue will change to Washington, DC.

All international games and some games between USA teams in each Tournament were videotaped, and teams received a DVD of their taped games. In addition, a second DVD was professionally produced of the highlights of the 2006 Tournament, including activities that IASI arranged for the participating teams, and the highlight DVD was presented to each team. Our current video contains highlights from the 2006 and 2007 Tournaments and details for the 2009 Tournament. The current video can be viewed by clicking here.

The Inaugural International Amateur Soccer Tournament–The Challenge for the Tiffany Trophy Cup was held from June 26 to July 2, 2006 with competition among club teams of boys under age 15 according to the rules of their leagues for the Spring 2006 Season--including top ranked club teams from the National Capital Soccer League in the Washington, DC Metropolitan Area, the junior team of USA Major League Soccer four- time Champion D.C. United, and Sociedad Deportiva AEM of Spain.

The entourage of the Spanish team stayed another three days after the Tournament.  They took a one day bus trip to New York City with a Spanish speaking guide on July 3 and attended the 4th of July Independence Day Parade before checking out of their University dormitory, taking a detour on their way to the airport for pictures with the Tiffany Trophy Cup in front of the White House, and then traveling to the airport and home to Lleida, Spain with memories that will last a lifetime.

During their stay, IASI arranged lodging for AEM in the campus dormitory of a Washington, DC university, a sightseeing tour by bus of the monuments, museums and government buildings in and around Washington, DC, the New York City trip and guide, and a special guided tour of the United States Capitol Building.  In response to IASI’s request, the Spanish Ambassador hosted a reception for AEM at his residence.  After the Championship Game, the AEM team and AEM and D.C. United coaches were invited to the home of the President of McLean Youth Soccer for pizza and socializing.

Building on our success, the 2009 Tournament will elevate the level of competition to the world stage and expand spectator appeal by limiting participation to invited elite teams–including academy teams from traditional, soccer powerhouse countries, teams from USA Major League Soccer, the U.S. Soccer Development Academy and other invited, elite clubs. Blackburn Rovers FC of England, El Deportivo Saprissa of Costa Rica, Real Madrid FC of Spain and D.C. United of U.S. Major League Soccer are committed to participate in our 2009 Tournament.