The wind chill at Interbay soccer field didn't stop 450 soccer players from running after the ball in haste at the Magnolia Soccer Club MOD World Cup 2009.
In an all-day, end-of-the year tournament, teams of 5-years up to 9-year-olds represented various countries in a round-robin three-game day of non-stop soccer. The players waved their country's flags as they marched onto the turf field before buzzing across the field in 12-minute or 20-minute games.
"It was a great tournament. It's fun to be able to have one last big event to end the year of soccer," said Jeff Richey, coach of the Denmark team for ages 8 and younger. "It's fun to play on turf instead of muddy grass. The kids were very excited about being able to represent a country and waving the flags."
Richey's coached the team, including his daughter, Hannah, for the past two years and plans to continue coaching next season. He said he likes the league's focus and that everyone involved with the league is a volunteer.
"And we don't keep score," Richey said. "It's about building teamwork and developing the skills and love of the game - the important thing for that age group."
For Claire Filarski on the Denmark team, the day had too many good things to pick one.
"It felt good," Filarski said of scoring a goal in her last game. But she also really liked playing on turf instead of in the mud.
But it wasn't difficult to see the players enjoyed their time on the field, despite the cold weather. The Romanian Rockets had a pre-game rally which left them laughing and smiling before they brought their spunk to the flag-waving parade.
"This is our first year in the league and our daughter loved this season," said Sean Silas, whose daughter Kaelin played for the Romanian Rockets. "They just have so much fun."
Though the season's at an end, parents are already thinking about next year.
"The kids are extremely motivated," said parent Brian Pickering and Magnolia resident of three years. Pickering's daughter finished her first year with MSC at the World Cup. "It's something to look forward to."
If the tournament was any kind of testament, the popularity of soccer in Magnolia is on the rise. The Magnolia Soccer Club, operating under the Seattle Youth Soccer Association, has more than 780 players, from 5- to 18-years-old, 69 teams and 155 coaches.
The growth doesn't surprise Richey, who noted soccer's popularity has grown across the state and particularly in the Magnolia community because more younger parents have moved to the neighborhood.
"[Magnolia parents] want their kids participating in team sports from soccer to baseball and now lacrosse," Richey said. "I think it's great. It shows the amount of kids who live in Magnolia that want to be a part of Magnolia."[[In-content Ad]]
