OCEANSIDE — Soccer Club of Oceanside recreational and competitive teams will gather at Mance Buchanan Park Aug. 19 for team pictures, fundraising and a season kick-off celebration.
The club serves more than 2,000 Oceanside youth every season.
Its Opening Day brings together 123 teams, with players that range from age 4 to 19.
Opening Day traditions include a parade of teams, opening remarks by the mayor and city council members, and a parents versus coaches game.
On-site food sales raise money for the Oceanside Breakers. The club holds bragging rights to being six-time State Cup champions, and National Cup champions.
Last year brought the club’s first Cal South National Cup win by its girls under 15 team. Also a first was its National Premier League regional win by its boys under 17 team.
This season’s games start right after opening ceremonies, at about 10 a.m., and run through late in the evening.
Mance Buchanan Park has served as the Opening Day site and home for the club since the park opened in 2009.
Prior to that teams practiced and played at various city parks and school fields that provided less than ideal conditions. Potholes and poor drainage caused hazardous conditions for young players.
The club continued to grow past the size of Mance Buchanan Park, and rallied for the city to include sports fields at El Corazon Park.
El Corazon SoCal Sports Complex opened in 2014. In addition to providing top playing fields the complex serve as the Oceanside Breakers’ home field. This allows the club to hold its SoCal Cup tournament, and raise funds through snack bar sales during all games and tournaments held at the complex.
“SoCal Sports Complex has made a tremendous difference, having our teams being able to play on these great fields and practice on them every week,” Jose Prieto, vice president of the soccer club and director of its competitive teams, said.
The club’s SoCal Cup tournament began with 60 teams competing. This past weekend 170 teams from as far as northern California and Texas took part in the annual tournament.
Opening Day continues to be celebrated at Mance Buchanan Park.