COSTA MESA, Calif.-The Max Eppel Soccer Agency (MESA), announced today that it will be opening its world soccer headquarters in Irvine, California.  Located at 17155 Von Karman Avenue, Suite 112.

MESA will open its doors on August 8, 2008.

MESA serves a gateway for aspiring young soccer players and established professionals as well as coaches and managers to compete in the Major League Soccer Clubs and in clubs in the world beyond.  The agency offers innovative training programs that cultivate a high caliber of players and feed into the Major League Soccer Clubs in America and those abroad.

“Establishing our world headquarters in Irvine will open new opportunities to raise the visibility of soccer in America,” said Max Eppel, Chief Executive Officer, and Founder of MESA.  “There is a tremendous amount of talent to be discovered here and we are looking to expand our agency.”

“It’s my vision to generate the same passion and excitement for soccer in America that the rest of the world has,” said Eppel.

The Los Angeles arrival of British superstar, soccer phenomenon and sport icon David Beckham, has altered the perception and status of the game and the overall interest in soccer in America. Beckham’s $250 million five-year contract with the Los Angeles Galaxy has stimulated the “The Designated Player Rule”  for the sport of soccer allowing the  Major League Soccer clubs  to sign players whose salary will fall outside of the team salary budget.  Under the rule, any cost above the allocated salary budget is the financial responsibility of the club.  A greater amount of revenue to attract higher quality players has helped soccer agencies like MESA to better place athletes on teams.

“Until now, there hasn’t been sufficient funding available for professional soccer teams and athlete development in America.  The expansion of this agency and its goals will provide the opportunities for visibility of professional soccer in a new level with the idea of professional player progress, the development of heightened soccer programs and enhancing sports programs for youth soccer,” said Eppel.  “It’s my hope with our new office location we can reach into the local communities and ride the wave of enthusiasm investing in soccer as a new and exciting professional sports development.”

An established lawyer, Eppel specializes in civil and commercial law and has experience working with England’s Football Academy as a consultant.  He moved to America in 2007 to become a Licensed Player’s Agent.