Here are a few of the highlights and news tidbits from the month of July:

In Nordic News

Four of our squads (three unofficial girls’ teams and one boy’s team) made the annual pilgrimage to Denmark and Sweden for the Dana and Gothia Cup tournaments.  Our U14 girls’ teams both reached the final in Denmark and played each other in an outstanding match.  No winners or losers here – just unparalleled representation for the club.  Our U13 squad placed third in the Dana Cup, winning five games and losing two.  In Gothia Cup action, one of our U14 girl’s teams made it to the round of sixteen, losing to eventual tournament semi-finalists. Overall, our U14’s played 11 games, winning eight, tying two and losing one.  Our U13 squad placed second in the B division after losing the final on penalties.

On the boy’s side, our U14’s lost in the quarterfinals of the Dana Cup, playing four games, winning three and losing one.  At Gothia, they survived a field of 206 teams, making their way to the round of sixteen where they lost to a team from Indonesia that lost to Chivas Guadalajara in the semis. The boys had an incredible time and had a great showing in both tournaments.

In League Play

Our U17 Boys Red team finished 2nd in their NorCal Region 5 Gold Division for the "Spring Season" which concluded in early July.

On the Showcase Front

Most of our teams were off for the first two weeks of the month but jumped into action in the Pleasanton Rage Showcase event, perhaps the biggest event in Norcal, and/or the Surf Cup, one of the biggest and most esteemed events in the country.

Our U15, 16, 17 and 18 Girls Blue teams attended the Pleasanton Rage Showcase.  All teams showed well and there were an abundance of college coaches in attendance to see the action.  Our U14 Blue team participated in the tournament format of the Rage Showcase and won the gold division.

Our U18 Girls Blue, U18 Boys Blue, U17 Boys Blue, and U16 Boys Blue teams all travelled to San Diego in late July to participate in the famed Surf Cup.  Most notably, our U17 squad won the Surf Cup in their age group, an incredible achievement given the level of competition and national notoriety of the tournament.  Our U18 Boys lost in the quarters and our other two teams were unable to advance past the first round.

In Camp News

Our U14 Boys Red & Blue teams traveled to Tahoe in late July to enjoy a quality week of training and team bonding.  Feedback from players and parents alike has been outstanding!

- Josh Kalkstein, DOC