Alianza de Fútbol gives youth the opportunity to showcase their talent
jose.romo
SALINAS, Calif. (KION-TV) — The Salinas Soccer Complex is attracting a national tournament for the first time. The venue is welcoming the Alianza tournament this weekend.
Soccer is taking the lead in Salinas. The Alianza de Futbol tournament is calling this place home for the first time after years of establishing a network with local soccer complex leadership.
“This is a great opportunity for our local talent who often haven’t had the opportunity to showcase. They would have to travel outside their hometown to now be able to perform in front of their own families,” says Jonathan De Anda, general manager of the Salinas Regional Soccer Complex.
“We’re putting Salinas on the map,” he adds.
Salinas is one of eight locations selected this year — alongside major cities like Los Angeles, Dallas, and Chicago.
De Anda, general manager for the Salinas Regional Soccer Complex, says playing host to such a well-known tournament is a great honor, as he grew up playing in what was Constitution Park. Now he feels proud to provide the youth with this opportunity.
The Alianza tournament was previously held in Morgan Hill, meaning local teams had to make the trip. Now they have it in their backyard.
“Now we’re moving to Salinas because it made sense. Their investment they’re having in this complex is going to be amazing, and it’s very, very significant,” says Omar Luis Velasco, executive director of Alianza de Fútbol. “As part of the change and as part of the growth that Alianza is trying to accomplish, partnering with Salinas Regional Soccer Complex is just the perfect fit for both.”
More than 120 teams are participating in 4 tournaments over 2 days, from 9-year 9-year-olds to adults.
Some teams making the trip down from Reno, Nevada, to compete at the Allianza tournament. However, in the home field advantage, a local Salinas team was able to take a youth title.
“We never played on a five vs five. It’s the first time playing, and the age category was 2016, and I see most of them were 2015,” says coach Raul Vargas for Atletico de Salinas. “For me, it’s a big, big satisfaction that I get from the kids because they try really hard. Getting the victory means a lot to me.”
Raul trains his youth team at the soccer complex, so being able to participate against other great talent was the necessary exposure for his team.
“Everyone has an opportunity to come here to the highest level and just fight for the honor of being called a champion,” adds Omar Luis Velasco. “So kids from seven-year-olds, nine, eight-year-olds, nine-year-olds, all the way to U-19 and adults as well, and men and women, those are all open categories are here as well.”
Gilroy’s Oiaxiro Morelia adult team took home the $10 thousand check for winning the adult alianza cup category. In the U-23 category, Sunnyvale’s Madrid took home the $5,000. For youth here today, many pro-level scouts are checking out potential talent. Both Alianza and Salinas Regional Soccer Complex staff are sharing their hopes for this to be the first of many tournaments here in Salinas. Next, the Alianza team will head to El Paso, Texas