A bitterly cold and windy Saturday in March. Soccer players showed off their talents on the pitch.
Mike Chavez has lived in the Tri-Cities for 10 years. He said he has been playing since childhood in his hometown of Guadalajara.
“It helps my mental health more than anything, and I also like the community aspect of the soccer team, the soccer culture that you can have within the team,” Chavez said.
Another player from the area, Ahmed Colakovic, said soccer makes him feel alive.
“I want to continue playing more like college ball, or maybe even at the pro level if possible,” Colakovich said.
Chavez and Colakovich participated in tryouts with the Tri-Cities Badgers. A new semi-professional soccer team born in the Tri-Cities.
Alfredo Alcantara is the co-founder of TC Badgers.
“We represent the Tri-Cities of Washington state in the Evergreen Premier League. It's a semi-professional soccer league. We're here to give everyone a chance,” Alcantara said.
The Badgers aren't the only team in town. The Three Cities Football Club is also giving opportunities to local players.
Jose Cueva is the owner and president of Three Cities.
“The league we're in is UPSL, which stands for United Premier Soccer League. That league is the fourth division of MLS. It's a real league run by FIFA,” Cueva said. Told.
He said the league opens doors for players from areas who don't necessarily have the opportunity to play at the next level.
Colakovic said the presence of these teams in the area makes the players more visible.
“You're playing against other semi-pro teams, and of course there's always people like scouts, people watching you all the time,” Colakovic said.
Pepe Marquez attended tryouts in early March with his son Juan. He says he gets emotional when he sees his son playing.
“When he was four years old, he had a foot problem and stopped walking, and I think it's the best thing for his father to see him play,” he said in Spanish.
Against all odds, he said, Juan recovered. Now, Marquez said he admires his son's skills as a player.
“He has vision and has a special touch when he plays. He always plays for the team. That's his biggest quality,” he said.
Marquez is also the soccer coach for Gavilanes, a Grand View team in the Lower Valley Soccer League.
“There's a lot of talent,” Marquez said. “But sometimes the boys don't believe it.”
German Abarca, Badger's other co-founder, agreed.
“They need motivation to get out of the house and do something fun because soccer is fun and their families come to support them,” Abarca said.
Marquez said the establishment of a new semi-professional soccer club is a good start to motivate children and their parents. But more coaches are needed, he said.
He also said that participating in sports helps keep children busy, discover their talents and stay out of trouble.
The Three Cities' first game will be in Richland next month.
The TC Badgers open in May at Kennewick.