Over the summer (and winter!) we spend many weekends traveling around Southern California attending soccer tournaments. As always, all opinions are my own and based on personal experience unless otherwise noted. If you have reviews of your own, please add in the comments!
Name: Strikers Winter Cup (Strikers FC) Girls U8-U14.
Overall Impressions: This was the second time LSG has played in this tournament (formerly known as the Eclipse Winter Cup), but this was the first time having “Mr Mayor,” former Blues Cup director, as the tournament director and it definitely showed in the organization, venues and special touches. All fields had EZ ups and benches provided for both teams, medals and pins were colorful, games were played on-time, and the tournament ran smoothly. We played at the beautiful Vista Hermosa Sports Park on pristine turf fields. All tournament fields were turf for rain or shine play…which was a bit ironic because although it had rained two previous weekends causing tournament cancellations, this one was beautiful and sunny. As it is designed to be a State Cup Prep tournament it’s nice that there were regulation time halves instead of the shorter halves at many tournaments. Although we lost in the finals (again!) and were still a bit worn out from Las Vegas the weekend before, all the girls and families had a great time. I love our team!
Dates: January 24/25, 2015
Cost: $525 for U8 | $600 for U9-U10 | $700 for U11-U14
Location: Saddleback Valley- San Juan Capistrano, Lake Forest, San Clemente, Laguna Nigel. All fields are turf for rain or shine play.
Application Process/Organization/Coaching Conflicts: The application process was simple and straightforward through Got Soccer (it’s always nice to get Got Soccer points!), and the schedules were out well in advance. Our coach had two teams and there were no conflicts and the teams played at the same venue. We did have a really long gap in our schedule between our first two games, but had fun going to lunch and hanging out at the field.
Check In: One hour prior check in at the field- yay! Check in was organized and easy and was also required before and after each game.
Rules: 10 Point System; regulation time halves (30 minutes for us at U12)
Number of Teams: This is a smaller tournament for girls only so there was only one flight for most age levels.
Strength of Competition: Since the Governor’s and Mayor’s brackets of State Cup began the same weekend, all teams available to play were at a higher level. It was fun to see teams from Minnesota, Arizona and Northern California playing, and I was especially happy for the sunny and warm weather for the visiting Minnesota teams and families.
Fields: Games were played across Southern Orange County in the Saddleback Valley- Lake Forest, Laguna Nigel, San Juan Capistrano and San Clemente. All fields were turf for rain or shine play. I especially loved the Vista Hermosa Sports Park in San Clemente where we played. LSG and her bestie even got to go for a swim at the aquatic center next to the fields after the final.
