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Fiesta Island, which is near Mission Bay and Sea World, was magically transformed on April 23 and 24th into a beach soccer haven for adults and youth players.
The first beach tournament of the 2011 season is the Beach Soccer Jam and this event announces Spring in the San Diego soccer world.
This was also first tournament under the San Diego Soccer Club moniker, the SDSC B10 team took to the field against AC Milan. The game was fairly even until SDSC broke it open with a quality finish. This first strike would lead into goal after goal by SDSC at a rate that could not be matched by Milan. The sand offered a new obstacle for these boys but they adapted and overcame with quality defense, great touches and quick passing.
Beach Soccer Jam, according to Raffi Rutolo, "was a success and the participating teams enjoyed the competition and the atmosphere. The Sockers Legends game and the Brazilian production show, samba and Capoeira added to the festivities. On the men pro division, we were fortunate to have the U.S. National Team and the San Diego Sockers. The event was lots of fun and a great time was had by all."
“This year’s Beach Soccer Jam was nothing short of fantastic," said Rick La Salle, Co-Director of 2011 Beach Soccer Jam.
"There was just so much excitement throughout the weekend. Beach soccer is a whole different version of the game. Youth teams having fun challenging each other on the sand and adult teams going head to head."
There was so much excitement on the beach, especially on the pro circuit. The San Diego Sockers were amazing and obviously enjoyed the tournament.
As La Salle Said, "How about those San Diego Sockers, arguably the best indoor soccer franchise of all time dominated on the sand and won it all for the 3rd straight year! It was great watching the fans see them compete in amazement. Then everything stopped and longtime radio and television personality Gary Kelley introduced the San Diego Sockers’ Legends, who again showed the fans why they won so many championships, year after year …The worst part of Beach Soccer Jam is that we have to wait a whole year to do it again. I can hardly wait."
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The Legends game was truly one for the books. Former professionals took to the main field and reignited their fiery passion for the game. Spectators gathered and watched as names like Brian Quinn, Cha Cha Namdar, Raffi Ruotolo, and Juli Vee lit up the scoreboards again. In a tightly contested game that was nearing its completion, the ball fell to Juli Vee's feet and he could only do one thing with it, hit the winner, and he did so to the delight of the crowd.
