LORAIN — The Venezuelans are in to round out an eight-team roster of soccer stars set to show their skills in a tournament this August in Lorain.

It will be the first trial by fire for the 17 young members of the Premier Soccer Academies team, all of whom have been training since August 2007 at soccer star Brad Friedel’s school on Leavitt Road.

The eight-day event, which starts Aug. 10, is expected to fill the academy’s 5,000-seat stadium, which Mayor Tony Krasienko said will give Lorain an economic boost.

“It’s our chance to lay out the red carpet,” he said. “Now that we have a big draw, we can show off all the good things about Lorain. We can get our guests to the riverfront to take boat cruises to the lighthouse, get them into our restaurants, give our visitors entertainment at Black River Landing. This is a big opportunity.”

FOR TICKETS Single-day and discounted weekly tickets for the Premier Soccer Academies World Youth Tournament are now on sale. Seating is limited. Tickets range from $7 to $12 a day or $55 for a whole-tournament ticket. To order, call (440) 282-2007.

Krasienko said he wants the tournament to spur Lorain’s undiscovered tourist industry, and he’s instructed one of his deputies, Richard Romero, to get other venues around the city to set up special events that week.

Premier has commitments from teams from all over the world to play.

They include national teams from Chile, Nigeria and Venezuela, Chivas and Club America from Mexico, Blackburn Rovers from the United Kingdom and Colorado Rush Select XI from the USA.

“We are privileged to have such tremendous talent coming to our tournament,” Friedel said. “The soccer fans of Northeast Ohio and beyond will be up close and personal to some of the best youth soccer in the world.”

The eight teams will be split into two groups, with the four in each group competing against each other. The winners of each game will get three points or one point for a draw.

At the end of play, teams will be ranked by points.

“The talent level of the teams competing in this event is incredible,” said Craig Umland, chief operating officer at Premier. “Anytime you can attract a national team, it elevates your stature among other tournaments in the country.  We have three national teams coming here to compete for eight days so in other words, this event is in that upper crust of all tournaments that consider themselves global and elite.”

Romero, who pulls double duty as chairman of the Commission on Hispanic Latino Affairs, said it will be an honor to host such a huge tournament in Lorain.

“Having two of the most talented soccer organizations from Mexico (Chivas and Club America) participate in an event here in Ohio is outstanding. I know the Hispanic Latino soccer fans in Northeast Ohio can’t wait to watch the competition,” he said.

Contact Jason Hawk at 329-7148 or jhawk@chroniclet.com.

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