The Tri-Valley Classic started five years ago as a 14-team tournament and has grown into a 40-team invitational with schools from multiple states and it now showcases some of the best teams in the nation.

Tournament director Tom Frangoulis built the Tri-Valley into one of the best tournaments in the nation and now includes teams from California, Hawaii and Texas.

This year's event features seven teams from the StudentSportsSoccer.com Winter FAB 50 participating: Monte Vista (6), Mayfair (13), Esperanza (16), Foothill (25), Carondelet (28), Nolan Catholic (32) and San Ramon Valley (36) all participate in the invitational section of the event.

"It is becoming more teams from all of the United States rather than the California area," Frangoulis said. "All along I wanted teams from all over the United States. I do want teams from Florida and teams from Arizona."

There are interesting matches on each day of the tournament that will give spectators the ability to see teams from all over with different styles of play compete.

On Day 2, Esperanza takes on Monte Vista and Carondelet. Last year's Gold division champion, Horizon, moves up to the Invitational section this year and takes on Iolani (Hawaii) on Day 1 and Foothill (25) on Day 2.

The different styles and coaching philosophies is what Frangoulis finds most interesting about watching teams from different parts of the country. That, in part, is why he wants to get all these teams together.

"It's a good thing to be able to see these kinds of different styles. Where would Iolani from Hawaii play team from our area, a team from Texas and a team from Los Angeles?"

The early favorites to win the Invitational are Monte Vista, Foothill or Mayfair.

Shannon Lacy and Courtney Jones highlight Monte Vista's roster with Lacy committed to Southern Cal and Jones on her way to North Carolina. Monte Vista placed fifth in the event last year.

Mayfair won 31 games last year and returns 16 players from that team. Foothill placed third in the tournament last year and is considered the No. 2 team in California behind Monte Vista.

No matter the outcome, the Tri-Valley tournament solidified itself as one of the major tournaments that is sure to cause a stir in the FAB 50 rankings.