Salina scores big with soccer complex

By TIM UNRUH

Salina Journal

Clustered in the shade of tiny trees, umbrellas or boldly without protection from the sun, soccer fans settled in Saturday for a long state tournament.

The Salina Soccer Complex was put to its first major test since opening in 2006. The U.S. Youth Soccer Kansas State Cup tournament, with 112 teams -- three from Salina -- continues into next weekend. About 50 teams were competing Saturday, aiming to make a run for the 2009 Kansas State Cup in each of eight age divisions -- Under-12 to Under-19 for boys and U-12 to U-14 for girls. The U-15 to U-19 girls U.S. Youth Soccer Kansas State Cup tournament is June 7 to 11 at Baker University in Baldwin because the state high school girls soccer season didn't end until Saturday.

Visitors were impressed with the complex off East Magnolia, just east of the flood control dike.

"It's the first time I've seen it. It's pretty nice," said Martin Velasquez, of Wichita, perched under a large umbrella, watching the Magia Soccer Club from Dodge City.

"The parking's wonderful and it seems really relaxed. The fields are in very good shape," said Melinda Milburn, a self-proclaimed "soccer mom" from Olathe. Her son, Brandon Milburn, plays on the KC United Under-14 team.

The parking lot off east Magnolia, just east of the flood control dike, was loaded with license tags from soccer hotbeds in Johnson and Sedgwick counties, and other lesser-populated areas of Kansas, among them McPherson and Ford counties.

Those soccer teams, clubs, coaches, parents, families and friends are making Salina their destination, and collectively will spend a fortune on meals, lodging and having a good time. The Salina Area Chamber of Commerce conservatively estimates the tournament will generate $325,000 for Salina and area businesses.

Hotels were so clogged in these parts that Milburn had to drive 45 minutes to McPherson to find a place to stay Saturday night. She figures her family will spend $300 to $400 this weekend. The younger teams paid $550 to enter the tournament. The U-15 to U-19 teams pay $240 a game in their respective single-elimination brackets, said Bob Riggs, Olathe, executive director of the Kansas State Youth Soccer Association. He's known at the tournament as "Soccer Bob."

The state champions and select runnersup in the U-13 to U-19 divisions advance to the U.S. Youth Soccer Midwest Regionals June 18 in Sioux Falls, S.D. Regional U-14 to U-19 winners will compete in the national championships July 21 to 26, in Lancaster, Mass.

Soccer has been an important part of the Milburn family for more than a decade, when her daughter, Mallory, 24, played soccer. Mallory intended to drive in from Wichita today to watch the games, Melinda Milburn said.

Expectations are high to win the Kansas Cup.

"We're good," boasted Brandon Milburn.

"We've been practicing all year, and our coach is most excited about this," said Mitchell Tyler, 13. KC United won its first game.

On another field, Burke Matthews, executive vice president of Bennington State Bank, was cheering on his daughter, Chloe, 12, and the Salina Spirit in the Under-13 girls bracket, against the top seeded BVSC Stars United from the Kansas City area.

It was a tough challenge for the Spirit, Matthews said, but the girls were gaining priceless experience against a top-notch team.

"I think it's good for our girls to play against someone of this caliber. It gives them something to look forward to," Matthews said. "They'll be at this level at some point in time."

Kansas City soccer teams are regarded as "very tough," Martin Velasquez said, "and Wichita is very tough, too."

The Spirit was defeated by the BVSC Stars 6-0 in their first game and defeated 5-0 by the KC Comets Select on Saturday. In other local action Saturday, the Salina Speed bowed 1-0 to KC Fusion and tied Everton 3-3 in boys Under-14 play; and the Salina Stingrays fell 6-0 to KCFC United in the girls U-12 division. All three Salina teams play today. For all of the schedules and scores, visit www.kansasstatecup.com.

"I think this will be a real learning experience for the girls teams to play tough competition," said Brenda Ratzlaff, of Smolan. Her daughter, Mallory Wiggins, 13, plays for the Spirit.

Beyond not having to travel to the tough competition, she said Salina was snaring good reviews for the complex and the hospitality.

"For Salina to be able to host this is awesome," Ratzlaff said. "We've had tons of compliments on the facility. Everybody says, 'Oh, we have bathrooms.' Many venues just have porta-potties."

n Reporter Tim Unruh can be reached at 822-1419 or by e-mail at tunruh@salina.com.

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