Photograph by Skye Dunlap
Saratoga's Elliott Jones battles for the ball during high school soccer action. Jones, like most other high school players, came up through the youth soccer ranks before starring on the field for the Falcons. Many future Saratoga soccer players will be on the field at Congress Springs Park when Saratoga AYSO joins with the San Jose Clash to host MLS Camps.
San Jose Clash coming to Saratoga
Saratoga AYSO joins with San Jose Clash to present MLS Camps
By Dick Sparrer
The San Jose Clash spent most of July on the road, but will return home to play three of four games in August at Spartan Stadium.
And that's not just good news for Major League Soccer fans, but all for area age group soccer players. Because while they're home, Clash players will be in the area hosting youth soccer camps for local players. And two of the camps are slated for August at Congress Springs Park in Saratoga.
The Clash and the Saratoga AYSO will host MLS Camps on Aug. 9-13 and Aug. 23-27, 9 a.m.-noon each day, for players ages 7-18. The cost is $100 per player, per week.
Each camper receives an individual player evaluation, a gift from MLS, a free companion ticket to a Clash game, an official league soccer ball and an MLS camp T-shirt. Parents and coaches are also welcome at the camps.
A team of international coaches, trained and qualified in coaching soccer for children, will head up the instructional staff at the camps.
For more information, contact the league's Web site at www.saratoga-ayso.org, the MLS Web site at www.nasc.com or call Bobbi Eisenberg at 252-0500.
The Clash, meanwhile, returns home to host Los Angeles on Aug. 7, 7:30 p.m., at Spartan Stadium. San Jose travels to New England for an Aug. 12 game, but is back home on Aug. 21 to face New England and Aug. 28 to entertain New York-New Jersey.
The Aug. 7 date features back-to-school folders and player card strip giveaways. The Clash will give away lunch bag coolers on Aug. 21 and pre-paid phonecards and player card strips on Aug. 28.
For ticket information, check the Clash Web site at www.clash.com or call 985-GOAL.
De Anza Soccer Camp
A summer soccer camp for youth ages 5-15 will be held Aug. 9-13 and Aug. 16-20 on the campus of De Anza Community College in Cupertino. Half-day sessions, full-day sessions and advanced camp sessions are available. For more information, call 864-8745.
Girls Soccer Clinic
The Silicon Valley Sting will host a girls soccer clinic Aug. 27-29, three hours each day, in Palo Alto. The cost for the entire clinic is $75, or players can pay $30 per day. For more informtion all Gregg Witkin at 374-1312.
Girls Soccer
A De Anza under-11 girls Class 3 soccer team is looking for players born after July 31, 1988. For more information, call Susan at 252-0612.
Soccer Coaches, Refs
The Los Gatos United Soccer League encourages coaches to participate in an F license coaching class set for Aug. 13, 6-9 p.m., and Aug. 14, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Preregistration is required. Call the league line at 358-9289.
Saratoga, California Since 1955
