These three young Eagles learned the game in MCSA’s Grassroots Academy and enjoyed their first taste of live games at this weekend’s preseason DSL tournament!

This past Sunday, MCSA hosted an incredible day of soccer at Mendocino High School for our annual Developmental Soccer League (DSL) Preseaon Tournament. With 17 teams, led by dedicated volunteer coaches, and nearly 200 players descending on five fields perched on a bluff overlooking the Pacific Ocean, it was truly a day to remember. The weather couldn’t have been better—a perfect 70 degrees with clear skies that allowed families to enjoy a full day of footie with the best of views.

Each team competed in at least three games, with medals awarded to the champions in our U10, U12, and U15 age groups. Congratulations to our tournament winners: U10 Spurs, U12 West Ham, and U15 Everton! All of our teams are named after English Premier League clubs, which has become a fun tradition that sparks curiosity and inspires our young athletes to follow their EPL teams, hopefully creating lifelong fans of the beautiful game.

MCSA Director Coach Hector Toscano and Coach Emily Griffen from the coast were both on hand to organize and facilitate the tournament. They did an outstanding job ensuring everything ran smoothly, allowing the players to focus on what matters most—having fun and learning the game. Coach Toscano shared his excitement about the day: “It was amazing to see the energy and enthusiasm from all the players and families. Days like this show how much our community loves soccer, and the players’ growth from just four practices to game day was impressive.”

A big shoutout to Mendocino High School for letting us use their beautiful facilities. The tournament was the perfect way to kick off the season, giving players the chance to immerse themselves in the game. The tournament provided a great opportunity for our young athletes to learn on the fly—whether it was understanding things such as attacking and defending shape, playing in different positions, showing off fancy footwork and simply gaining confidence on the pitch. The experience left them ready and eager for the start of the regular season on September 7th.

U15 Champs Everton show off their medals for a job well done!

We are incredibly grateful to our volunteer coaches for making it all happen. Without their dedication and passion, none of this would be possible. It’s a testament to the strength of our community and the commitment we all share in helping our kids succeed and have fun.

This year marks the 4th year of our DSL, which continues to be a key piece of our player development pathway. DSL is the bridge between our Grassroots Academy and Select Teams and provides a structured environment for kids who may not yet be ready or able to commit to a select team but still want to be involved in the club and enjoy the game. It’s a place where players can develop, grow, and gain valuable experience on the field. For those who wish to move on to select teams, DSL prepares them for the next level of competition while allowing those who simply love the game to kick it around with friends in a positive environment. 

The regular season will run until October 26th, and for those players who excel, we’re excited to offer participation in our DSL Select program, which includes a postseason tournament in the Bay Area. This is yet another opportunity for our young athletes to continue developing their skills and love for the game while showcasing their talent on a bigger stage.

As we head into the regular season, we couldn’t be more excited to see our players continue to grow, learn, and have fun on the field. Thank you to all the families, players, and coaches for making this journey so special. Together, we’re building something incredible.

Go Eagles! 🦅⚽