Kellog Zaher Complex. Image: Google

Bettye Wilson Soccer Complex. Image: Google

Reach 11. Image: Google

Dick's Sporting Goods. Image: Colorado Rapids

Pizza Hut Park. Image: Pizza Hut Park

Lancaster Soccer Park. Image: Lancaster National Soccer Center

San Diego Polo Club. Image: San Diego Surf

Frances Ryan Soccer Park. Image: Escondido Soccer Club

Ontario Soccer Complex. Image: South Coast Strikers FC

Rancho Capistrano Complex.

Looking at Soccer Facilities

I was traveling back from Las Vegas a couple of weeks ago, returning with my club team from having played in a weekend tournament. I was very impressed with the beautiful soccer fields we had played on all weekend, and it got me thinking of some of our own facilities that we have in Southern California, especially the San Diego area where I reside and coach soccer.

Las Vegas Soccer Complexes

When I was involved for many years with the ODP program, our annual trip for Regional Championships was always Las Vegas and mostly the Bettye Wilson Soccer ComplexThe Kellogg Zaher Complex in Las Vegas has nine turf fields and two grass fields (total of 11), all with lights and lots of parking and bathrooms. Just down the I-95 freeway, less than 2 miles away, we have the Bettye Wilson Soccer Complex which is the home to 10 more soccer fields, almost all grass. This is one of the reasons Las Vegas, with all the other wonderful things in this magic city for both adults and children, really is a Mecca for youth soccer.

Phoenix Arizona Soccer Complex

I am off in a few weeks to Reach 11 in Phoenix, Arizona, for the ODP Regional Championships. Reach 11 in north Phoenix is a very beautiful facility and many National Championships and US National International Youth games are played in this facility. They have 17 grass fields and 1 turf stadium field, and all fields have lights for night games. They also hold field hockey and rugby tournaments there.

Colorado and Texas

Dick's Sporting Goods Park in Denver Colorado is the home to 24 fully-lighted soccer fields, two of which are turf fields. It is also the home to the Colorado Rapids of the MLS.

Going further east we have the beautiful Pizza Hut Park soccer complex in Frisco, Texas, a suburb of Dallas. It is also the home of FC Dallas of the MLS, and this is where the National ODP Championships will be held in 2012. I have had the pleasure of being able to participate as a coach at that complex before and it is really beautiful. It is well maintained to the highest standards and the fields are always in perfect conditions, although I have been there when we have been snowed out.

Southern California

Not to complain, but I feel we in Southern California are really behind in the facilities we have for our young players. We probably have one of the largest youth soccer programs in the nation, and probably have the biggest problems with soccer complex fields. We do have a few worth mentioning.

Lancaster Soccer Sports Park is large and well used by many organizations, especially Cal South National and State Cup tournaments. Other organizations are highly involved with the facility, and it seems to be in constant use almost year round. There are 34 fields, which makes this venue the largest in the So Cal region.

San Diego Polo Club is a great facility, but not always available unless you play for Surf or are in a Surf tournament. It is a great venue each year for the San Diego Surf Cup, one of the biggest tournaments in the nation, and San Diego Surf College Cup.

The San Bernardino Soccer Complex is home to a lot of soccer organizations and is a well-used facility. It has 17 full size fields (five that have lights). Numerous organizations use this complex as a training facility for their clubs, and there are numerous tournaments held there.

Platinum Soccer Complex is also located in San Bernardino. This was formerly the Blast complex and has been used extensively by State and club tournaments over many years.

Ryan Park in Escondido is another great facility. They will be adding an eighth field soon, compliments of Cal South and all the hard working people of Escondido Soccer Club, especially Peter Minkoff, MD. Ryan Park has held numerous tournaments, including State Cup and some rounds of Surf Thanksgiving Tournament, and in 2012 Ryan Park and Cal South will host the adult men’s National Championships.

Hickman Fields in San Diego is home to Nott’s Forrest Soccer Club and Mesa Youth Soccer Association. It is a facility that is used for many tournaments in the San Diego area. It has six full size fields, almost all with lights.

Home Depot Sports Complex in Carson, Calif., as well as being the home of the LA Galaxy of MLS, is a complete sports package with state of the art tennis arena. Velodrome cycling stadium, as well as a track and field facility. Six additional soccer fields line the entrance to the stadium; these fields are used year around by our U.S. National teams for their training facility on the West Coast.

Ontario Soccer Park, has seven turffields and is a very nice facility.

Rancho Capistrano Soccer Complex is shared by So Cal Blues and United Soccer Clubs. With 6 fields, it is in use almost all year long.

In San Diego County there is talk of a new facility being built in Oceanside which may include up to 21 fields as well as baseball fields, and other sports activities. The plans include a hotel and other amenities surrounding the facility to make it a state of the art sports complex. This is something San Diego desperately needs.

Unfortunately we lost the John Blanche soccer facility in Temecula last year, but if I know Ken Smith, he will be trying hard to develop a new state of the art facility somewhere in Riverside County. That man really loves soccer.

I certainly have not covered every area, and I apologize, but it always seems when we travel out of state we see some really nice facilities and I want to bottle them up and bring them back to Southern California.

I have added a link to a slide show at the end of this column that brings to life why we play this great game. It does not really matter which country, the conditions or the view; it is always about playing the game. I hope you enjoy it.

http://www.hansvandermeer.nl/

Related Articles: John Napier on SoccerNation