Community use has nearly tripled in less than two years

Less than two years ago, approximately 6,000 people used the Salinas Regional Soccer Complex each week. When two new lighted turf fields opened in December 2024, weekly use jumped almost immediately to approximately 11,000.

Today, nearly 16,000 people use the Salinas Regional Soccer Complex every week.

A Place for Health, Connection and Belonging

The quality of the fields and the family-friendly environment are drawing more children, families, leagues, tournaments and athletes to the Salinas Regional Soccer Complex and creating greater opportunities for physical activity, mental well-being, connection and belonging throughout our community.

Families are at the center of this growth. Every week, thousands of children, parents, grandparents, coaches and athletes come together at the Salinas Regional Soccer Complex. Time on the pitch means hours spent outdoors, watching children play, connecting with friends and neighbors and participating in a healthy, active community.

Seven Days a Week and Still Growing

Less than two years ago, regular field use was concentrated on Thursdays and weekends, with Friday evenings later added as demand grew.

Today, the Salinas Regional Soccer Complex operates seven days a week as we work to meet steadily increasing demand from leagues, teams, tournaments and families. Fields are programmed from approximately 4:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. on weekdays and from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. on weekends, with tournament days sometimes beginning as early as 6:00 a.m.

Even with seven-day operations and substantially expanded hours, demand for field space continues to exceed availability.

Expanding Access for Our Community

Thanks to the generosity of our donors, children and women continue to play free of field-use fees on our legacy grass fields, expanding access to high-quality recreation for families throughout our community.

Our reach is growing as well. Teams and participants now travel from throughout the county and the greater Central Coast region, including the Bay Area, while tournaments have brought athletes from across the United States and Canada to Salinas, generating significant economic activity throughout Monterey County.

The Next Chapter Is Already Underway

Eight additional fields are currently under development, creating capacity for thousands more children and families and advancing our mission of cultivating community well-being through recreation, connection and shared experience.

“The growth we are experiencing demonstrates the tremendous demand for these opportunities and the potential ahead,” said John Narigi, President of the Salinas Regional Soccer Complex. “Every new field gives us the opportunity to welcome more people, expand programming and serve more of our community.”

Help Make the New Fields Possible

The Match is making these eight new fields possible, helping the Salinas Regional Soccer Complex create the capacity needed to serve thousands more children, families and community members.

As a nonprofit organization, the Salinas Regional Soccer Complex depends on the generosity of our community to continue expanding access, improving our facilities and creating opportunities for people throughout the region.

Every community donation to The Match is matched dollar for dollar, doubling the impact of each gift and bringing us closer to completing the new fields.

Make your gift to The Match today and help us build the next chapter of the Salinas Regional Soccer Complex.

Donate here today!

The Salinas Regional Soccer Complex is moving through its biggest growth year yet, with eight new fields under construction, The Match campaign underway, weekly use already reaching more than 16,000 guests and players, up from 11,500 just a year ago, and a long-term plan that will make the 68-acre facility the largest of its kind between Los Angeles and San Francisco.

At the center of that growth is a leadership team whose experience fits the scale of the opportunity: John Narigi, President; Jonathan De Anda, General Manager; Edwin Hermosillo, Operations Manager; Simon Dawkins, Director of Soccer; and Mayra Gomez, Director of Business Revenue and Partnerships.

Together, they bring executive leadership, local knowledge, facility operations, professional soccer experience, national sports media expertise, and a shared connection to the community the Salinas Regional Soccer Complex was built to serve.

For Jonathan, Edwin, and Mayra, that connection began on the original fields, during the years when players knew the uneven turf as the “ankle breakers” and parents and coaches sometimes arrived early with lawn mowers to help prepare the fields before games.

Jonathan grew up in Salinas and began playing on these fields as a child, then went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Notre Dame de Namur University and a master’s degree in sport management from the University of San Francisco before returning home to build opportunity through sport.

As General Manager, he brings the lived experience of a local player, the professional preparation of a sports management leader, and the community credibility of someone recently recognized as the Salinas Valley Chamber of Commerce 2025 Young Professional of the Year.

“Growing up here, these fields were part of our lives long before anyone could have imagined what the Salinas Regional Soccer Complex would become,” De Anda said. “Coming back after college and graduate school to help lead this next chapter gives me the chance to serve the community that raised me, stay close to my family, and help create opportunities for young people who deserve a place that reflects their talent, their discipline, and their future.”

Mayra’s story also begins in Salinas, where she graduated from Alisal High School, played soccer, and developed the foundation for a career that would take her into national and international sports media and marketing.

Mayra has worked with FIFA, CONCAF, the San Francisco 49ers, Grupo Orlegi, and Prime Video’s Thursday Night Football en Español, where she became the first Spanish-language sideline reporter for the platform’s NFL coverage.

At the Salinas Regional Soccer Complex, Mayra brings that experience back to the community that shaped her, using the skills of a broadcaster, marketer, storyteller, and partnership builder to elevate the Complex’s visibility and deepen its connection to sponsors, families, young athletes, and women and girls in sports.

“Everything I have experienced in sports has roots in Salinas,” Gomez said. “This community shaped my work ethic, my voice, my love of the game, and my understanding of representation, so being able to bring that experience back to the Salinas Regional Soccer Complex gives me a powerful opportunity to invest in the young people, families, women, and girls who are building their own stories here.”

Edwin Hermosillo’s connection to the Complex also began as a young player on those same community fields, giving his current operations role a personal grounding in the place families experience every day.

As a Monterey County local and Facility & Operations Coordinator, Edwin understands the daily rhythm of the Complex from both sides of the gate, with memories of growing up through the game now informing the field readiness, weather decisions, tournament logistics, safety, parking, schedules, vendors, equipment, and constant coordination required to serve thousands of people in a single week.

His role sits close to the practical details that make a major community facility work, translating long-term growth into organized practice nights, successful tournament weekends, smooth community events, and a welcoming experience for players, coaches, visitors, and partners.

“When families and teams come through the gates, they should feel the pride we have in this place,” Hermosillo said. “My role is to help the fields, events, and daily operations come together in a way that supports the players, coaches, visitors, and partners who use the Salinas Regional Soccer Complex throughout the week.”

Simon Dawkins brings the perspective of someone who has lived the game at the highest levels, with a 20-year professional career that included Tottenham Hotspur, Aston Villa, Derby County, the San Jose Earthquakes, Monterey Bay F.C., and the Jamaican National Team.

Soccer brought him to Monterey County through Monterey Bay F.C., and life in the region gave him deep ties to the community through love, family, friendships, and the everyday soccer culture of the Salinas Valley.

As Director of Soccer Programs & Development, Simon brings professional standards into youth development while giving local players access to the discipline, perspective, and mentorship of someone who understands what it takes to move through the sport with focus and resilience.

“Soccer brought me to this region, and the people made it home,” Dawkins said. “There is so much talent and heart in this community, and I want young players here to feel that their dreams can grow from these fields with the right training, the right support, and the belief that their future in the game can be very real.”

John Narigi’s arrival as President brings the team a leader with more than four decades of executive experience in hospitality, major public venues, economic development, operations, guest experience, revenue generation, team development, and community partnership.

After spending much of his career on the Monterey Peninsula, including executive leadership at Monterey Plaza Hotel & Spa, and later leading work at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca along Highway 68, John comes to the Salinas Regional Soccer Complex with a countywide perspective and a strong desire to help connect the Peninsula, the Highway 68 corridor, and the Salinas Valley through a project with extraordinary momentum.

“The Salinas Regional Soccer Complex is at a remarkable inflection point,” Narigi said. “The foundation has been built, the community has embraced it, and now the opportunity is to help shape what it becomes over the next decade and beyond. The board’s commitment to that vision is inspiring, and the momentum behind everything happening here made this an opportunity I simply couldn’t pass up. After spending much of my career on the Monterey Peninsula, I have developed a deep appreciation for the Salinas Valley and for the opportunity to help strengthen the connections across our county. Being part of a project that is growing alongside the community it serves, with so much potential still ahead, is both exciting and deeply meaningful.”

The team’s combined experience aligns directly with the needs of the organization at this stage of growth.

John understands how to guide a high-visibility destination with discipline, hospitality, partnerships, and long-term strategy. Jonathan understands the local soccer community from childhood through professional leadership. Edwin understands the operational systems that make a busy facility safe, organized, and welcoming. Simon understands player development from the highest levels of the sport. Mayra understands how to tell the story, build relationships, and represent the community with authenticity and reach.

The Salinas Regional Soccer Complex is expanding fields, programs, tournaments, partnerships, and access at the same time, which requires leadership that can move comfortably between construction meetings, donor conversations, league coordination, youth development, media visibility, community events, and the daily expectations of families who rely on the facility week after week.

From the original fields that helped shape Jonathan, Edwin, and Mayra, to the professional game that brought Simon to Monterey County, to John’s countywide perspective at a defining stage of growth, the Salinas Regional Soccer Complex is being guided by people who understand the facility from different angles and share a clear commitment to what it can become.

The Match fuels construction of first-rate playing fields expected to begin opening this winter

SALINAS, CA – Construction is officially underway on the next major expansion of the Salinas Regional Soccer Complex, bringing eight new fields closer to the tens of thousands of players and families who will use them and advancing the Complex’s growing role as a premier destination for soccer in the region.

More than six years of environmental remediation concluded in June, and construction began immediately in July. Crews are now installing nearly 20,000 linear feet of irrigation, while the special blend of hybrid Blue grass and Rye grass selected for the new fields is already being grown at Greenfield Turf.

That transition from remediation directly into construction was made possible by years of community investment and the momentum of The Match, the Salinas Regional Soccer Complex’s $3 million campaign to complete the new fields and supporting infrastructure. Taylor Farms launched The Match with a $1.5 million challenge gift, followed by campaign gifts from the Kobrinsky Evans family, Cass and Mike Antle, Church Brothers Farms, Janet Rodgers and Kurt Gollnick, Toyota Salinas and other generous donors.

Federal funding secured by Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren and grant support from the California Department of Toxic Substances Control have also helped advance this phase of expansion. Philanthropic investments continue a model that has shaped the Salinas Regional Soccer Complex from the beginning. The Complex is developed and operated by a volunteer led nonprofit organization, and its growth has been powered by philanthropy, public investment and a community willing to invest in an extraordinary place to play.

Build for the Future

The new fields are being built to a standard that reflects both the community they will serve and the caliber of soccer the Salinas Regional Soccer Complex increasingly welcomes.

 

 

A specially selected, high-quality Rye and Blue grass blend is being grown specifically for the project and will be installed in phases as each field is completed. The playing surfaces will be laser-leveled using geotechnical technology to create exceptionally precise and consistent fields, and the Complex is exploring specialized mowing equipment capable of creating crisp, visible lines across the grass that provide referees with additional visual guidance for offsides calls.

 

 

The result will be beautiful, high-performing fields designed for everyday community use as well as the leagues, tournaments and regional events that continue to bring more players and visitors to Salinas. As the facility grows, so does the opportunity to attract larger competitions, welcome more teams and showcase a sports complex that reflects the pride and ambition of the community that built it.

More Room to Play

Over 15,000 people now use the Salinas Regional Soccer Complex each week, up from 11,500 weekly users just a year ago. With the expansion, that number is expected to grow to more than 22,000 weekly users, creating significantly more impact for youth and adult soccer, women’s leagues, tournaments, community events and programming, and families from throughout the region.

The new fields advance one of the central goals behind the continued development of the Salinas Regional Soccer Complex: creating greater access to exceptional places for local children and families to play, while building a regional sports destination that brings people to Salinas and strengthens the community around it through meaningful economic impact.

The new fields are expected to open for play this winter.

For more information about The Match and the Salinas Regional Soccer Complex, visit https://salinassoccer.org/the-match/

About the Salinas Regional Soccer Complex

The Salinas Regional Soccer Complex is a nonprofit community asset dedicated to providing a safe, accessible, and family-centered space for youth and adult recreation. Serving more than 15,000 weekly users, the Salinas Regional Soccer Complex continues to grow as a premier destination for local play, community connection, and regional tournaments.

For more information about the Salinas Regional Soccer Complex and opportunities to support, please visit https://SalinasSoccer.org

Media Contact
Jonathan De Anda
General Manager, Salinas Regional Soccer Complex
831-216-5643
jonathan@salinassoccer.org

Salinas Regional Soccer Complex launches its first in-house youth league, combining Major League Soccer resources, scholarship support and community coaches under former professional player Simon Dawkins

 

SALINAS, Calif. – This fall, the Salinas Regional Soccer Complex is expanding opportunities for local youth to experience the game with the launch of its first-ever in-house youth soccer league through MLS GO, Major League Soccer’s recreational youth soccer program. Combining accessible registration, scholarship support, trained volunteer coaches and the resources of MLS, the new league creates another pathway for young players across the Salinas Valley to learn the game, develop their skills and become part of the soccer community.

 

 

The eight-week fall league builds directly on the Salinas Regional Soccer Complex’s commitment to making soccer accessible to children throughout the community. That commitment has shaped the Complex from the beginning, including free field access for youth leagues supported through the generosity of donors and community partners. With MLS GO, the Complex is extending that same philosophy into its own recreational programming, creating a welcoming place for young players of all experience levels to learn, play and grow in the game.

 

 

Through the MLS GO PLAY FUND, families can apply for financial assistance toward player participation fees, part of Major League Soccer’s national effort to expand access to recreational soccer. For the Salinas Regional Soccer Complex, the scholarship program creates another direct connection between the vision behind the Complex and the families it was built to serve.

At the center of the new league is Simon Dawkins, Director of Soccer Programs & Development for the Salinas Regional Soccer Complex, whose career has taken him through some of the highest levels of the game. Dawkins developed through the Tottenham Hotspur system in England, competed professionally in England, represented Jamaica internationally and became a standout with the San Jose Earthquakes, helping the club win the 2012 Supporters’ Shield before later returning as a Designated Player. He joined Monterey Bay F.C. for its inaugural season in 2022 and remained with the club through the conclusion of his professional playing career in 2024 before moving into coaching and technical leadership.

Today, Dawkins is bringing that experience to young players at the Salinas Regional Soccer Complex. He helped identify and develop the MLS GO partnership and will direct the league while guiding the volunteer coaches who will play an essential role in the program.

“Soccer gave me opportunities to grow, travel, compete and learn from people at every level of the game, and being able to bring some of that experience back to young players here is incredibly meaningful,” said Dawkins. “MLS GO gives us a strong structure for teaching the game, while our volunteer coaches bring the relationships and community connection that make youth soccer special. We want coaches to feel prepared and supported, players to feel encouraged to grow, and families to see a place for their children in the game.”

Volunteer coaches will be supported by Dawkins and MLS GO coaching resources, including age-specific training materials, practice plans, videos and exercises designed to help coaches teach technical skills, teamwork and game understanding. The model gives parents and community members the tools to become more confident coaches while strengthening the network of adults helping local children develop a lasting connection to the sport.

“Access is central to the vision for the Salinas Regional Soccer Complex, and that vision comes to life when our fields are filled with local kids who are learning, growing and discovering what they are capable of,” said Jonathan De Anda, General Manager of the Salinas Regional Soccer Complex. “MLS GO gives us another way to turn the investment our community has made in this Complex into direct opportunities for families across the Salinas Valley, while Simon and our volunteer coaches create the kind of experience that can help a child build a lasting connection to the sport.”

The inaugural season will welcome players ages 7 to 14 from September 23 through November 11, with one training session and one league game each week. Players will receive an official MLS GO uniform kit, including jersey, shorts and socks, and the program is designed for children with a wide range of soccer experience. Registered players will also receive a complimentary ticket to an October San Jose Earthquakes match and have the opportunity to participate in a pregame on-field parade, connecting their weekly experience at the Salinas Regional Soccer Complex with the professional game.

The MLS GO Fall Season at the Salinas Regional Soccer Complex runs September 23 through November 11, 2026. Individual registration is $180 and team registration is $160 per player, with MLS GO PLAY FUND scholarships available for qualifying families. Registration, scholarship information and program details are available at salinassoccer.org/mlsgo.

About the Salinas Regional Soccer Complex

The Salinas Regional Soccer Complex is a nonprofit community asset dedicated to providing a safe, accessible, and family-centered space for youth and adult recreation. Serving more than 16,000 weekly users, the Salinas Regional Soccer Complex continues to grow as a premier destination for local play, community connection, and regional tournaments.

For more information about the Salinas Regional Soccer Complex and opportunities to support, please visit https://SalinasSoccer.org

Media Contact
Jonathan De Anda
General Manager, Salinas Regional Soccer Complex
831-216-5643
jonathan@salinassoccer.org

SALINAS, Calif. — The Salinas Regional Soccer Complex announced today that John Narigi has joined the organization as President, bringing more than three decades of executive leadership in hospitality, major public venues, economic development, community partnerships, and organizational growth to one of California’s fastest-growing community sports facilities.

Narigi joins the Salinas Regional Soccer Complex during a defining year as construction advances on eight new fields, The Match campaign continues to rally community investment, and the facility prepares for one of the largest tournament and event years in its history. The Salinas Regional Soccer Complex currently serves more than 11,500 community members each week, with weekly use projected to grow to more than 20,000 as the next phase of development is completed.

The eight-field expansion is part of a larger vision to build the Salinas Regional Soccer Complex into the largest facility of its kind between Los Angeles and San Francisco, creating more access for children and families, more quality fields for youth and adult players, more opportunities for girls’ and women’s leagues, and a stronger regional tournament destination that supports local hotels, restaurants, small businesses, and the broader Salinas Valley economy.

Narigi’s experience leading complex, high-visibility venues in Monterey County will support the Salinas Regional Soccer Complex as it grows into an even larger destination for recreation, competition, health, tourism, and economic activity. During his leadership at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, Narigi helped strengthen operations, build partnerships, improve the guest experience, support major capital planning, and work with government and community stakeholders around one of Monterey County’s most visible public venues. His hospitality background, including executive leadership at Monterey Plaza Hotel and Spa, brings deep experience in service, operations, guest experience, revenue generation, and team development at the exact moment the Salinas Regional Soccer Complex is preparing to serve ten thousand more people each week and nearly a hundred thousand visitors through tournaments and special events.

“On behalf of the board, I could not be more pleased to welcome John Narigi as President of the Salinas Regional Soccer Complex,” said Kurt Gollnick, Board Chair. “John is a proven leader who understands how to bring people together around a shared vision, and he brings the kind of operational experience, community credibility, and personal commitment to mentoring young people that matters deeply to this organization. As the Salinas Regional Soccer Complex enters this next chapter of growth, John’s leadership will help us serve more children, more families, more players, and more community partners with the care, discipline, and ambition this work deserves.”

“The Salinas Regional Soccer Complex is at a remarkable inflection point,” Narigi said. “The foundation has been built, the community has embraced it, and now the opportunity is to help shape what it becomes over the next decade and beyond. The board’s commitment to that vision is inspiring, and the momentum behind everything happening here made this an opportunity I simply couldn’t pass up. After spending much of my career on the Monterey Peninsula, I have developed a deep appreciation for the Salinas Valley and for the opportunity to help strengthen the connections across our county. Being part of a project that is growing alongside the community it serves, with so much potential still ahead, is both exciting and deeply meaningful.”

The Salinas Regional Soccer Complex has become a central gathering place for youth soccer, adult leagues, women’s leagues, tournaments, community health events, partnerships, and family-centered recreation. Its growth reflects the immense demand for safe, accessible, high-quality places where children and adults can play, train, compete, connect, and build healthy habits close to home.

The Match, a $3 million campaign launched with a $1.5 million challenge gift from Taylor Farms, is helping fund the next eight fields and critical supporting infrastructure. The campaign is part of the organization’s broader effort to continue building a 68-acre community asset that serves local families while positioning Salinas as a major regional sports destination.

Narigi’s leadership will help the Salinas Regional Soccer Complex deepen relationships across business, agriculture, hospitality, civic leadership, philanthropy, and the broader community as the organization works to meet rising demand, expand tournament activity, and grow a facility rooted in youth development, health, connection, and economic vitality.

The Salinas Regional Soccer Complex’s next chapter is being built around the momentum of a community that is already showing up by the thousands every week. With John Narigi’s leadership, the organization is expanding its capacity to serve more children, families, players, visitors, and community partners while advancing a vision that connects youth development, family wellness, regional tourism, economic impact, and the shared belief that Salinas deserves a world-class facility equal to the talent, energy, and potential of the people it serves.

About the Salinas Regional Soccer Complex

The Salinas Regional Soccer Complex is a nonprofit community asset dedicated to providing a safe, accessible, and family-centered space for youth and adult recreation. Serving more than 11,500 weekly users, the Salinas Regional Soccer Complex continues to grow as a premier destination for local play, community connection, and regional tournaments.

For more information about the Salinas Regional Soccer Complex and opportunities to support, please visit salinassoccer.org.

Media Contact
Kurt Gollnick
Board Chair, Salinas Regional Soccer Complex
831-744-5860
gollnickkurt@gmail.com

PACHUCA, HIDALGO, MEXICO — Three Monterey County youth soccer players have officially arrived in Pachuca, Mexico, to begin a week-long elite training experience at the prestigious Universidad del Fútbol y Ciencias del Deporte, home to one of the most respected player development systems in North America.

The opportunity is part of the Salinas Regional Soccer Complex’s International Player Pathway Program, which provides talented local athletes with access to world-class training, education, and cultural experiences designed to accelerate their growth both on and off the field.

Upon arrival, the players had the opportunity to visit the iconic Estadio Hidalgo, home of Pachuca FC and one of Mexico’s most historic soccer venues. The visit provided an inspiring first glimpse into the professional soccer culture that has helped develop generations of players and coaches.

Throughout the week, the players will participate in daily training sessions led by professional academy staff at the Universidad del Fútbol, gaining firsthand exposure to the methodologies, discipline, and high-performance environment that have made Pachuca a recognized leader in player development.

Beyond soccer, the experience will provide valuable cultural immersion opportunities, allowing the players to broaden their perspectives, build independence, and represent Monterey County on an international stage.

The Salinas Regional Soccer Complex extends its gratitude to the families, community supporters, donors, and partners who continue to invest in the development of local youth through the International Player Pathway Program.

This experience reflects Salinas Regional Soccer Complex’s commitment to creating life-changing opportunities that combine athletic excellence, education, leadership development, and cultural exchange.

About the International Player Pathway Program

The International Player Pathway Program, led by the Salinas Regional Soccer Complex, provides youth athletes access to advanced training opportunities, mentorship, nutrition education, mental performance development, and exposure to professional soccer environments in the United States and abroad.

For more information about the Salinas Regional Soccer Complex and opportunities to support, please visit https://salinassoccer.org

About the Salinas Regional Soccer Complex

The Salinas Regional Soccer Complex is a nonprofit community asset dedicated to providing a safe, accessible, and family-centered space for youth and adult recreation. Serving more than 11,500 weekly users, the complex continues to grow as a premier destination for local play, community connection, and regional tournaments.

Media Contact
Mayra L Gomez
Salinas Regional Soccer Complex
Mayra.Gomez@salinassoccer.org
(831) 216-6417

We are honored to share that Senator John Laird has named the Salinas Regional Sports Authority as the 2026 Nonprofit of the Year for Senate District 17.

“Organizations like the Salinas Regional Sports Authority play an important role in strengthening our communities and expanding opportunities for young people and families throughout the Salinas Valley,” said Senator Laird. “SRSA has created a space that not only supports recreation and healthy lifestyles but also brings people together and serves as a community resource for the broader region. I’m proud to recognize their work as Senate District 17’s Nonprofit of the Year.”

This recognition celebrates the extraordinary community vision, leadership, and philanthropic partnership that have helped bring the Salinas Regional Soccer Complex to life. What began as a bold idea to create more high-quality recreational space in the Salinas Valley has grown into a regional destination serving more than 11,000 weekly visitors, with youth, families, athletes, and teams traveling from across the region to play, gather, and connect.

Thanks to The Match, the Salinas Regional Soccer Complex is now in the process of expanding with eight additional fields and new community amenities that will dramatically increase access to recreation, wellness, and youth sports opportunities across the region. Upon completion of this next phase, the complex is expected to serve more than 20,000 users every week, further strengthening its role as one of the most impactful recreational facilities in California.

“This recognition is a tremendous honor for the Salinas Regional Sports Authority and for the entire community that has helped bring the Salinas Regional Soccer Complex to life,” said Jonathan De Anda of the Salinas Regional Sports Authority. “What began as a vision to expand access to quality recreational spaces has grown into a regional destination serving thousands of youth, families, athletes, and visitors each week. The momentum behind The Match and the expansion of eight additional fields reflects what is possible when a community comes together with a shared vision for the future.”

Today, the Salinas Regional Soccer Complex is home to soccer, camps, clinics, youth and adult leagues, flag football, lacrosse, ultimate frisbee, health clinics, wellness programming, and community events, with future plans that continue to expand opportunities for families throughout the Salinas Valley and beyond.

We are deeply grateful to Senator Laird for recognizing this work and to every donor, partner, volunteer, athlete, coach, family, and community leader who has helped turn this vision into a place where people can play, build healthy habits, feel a sense of belonging, and see what is possible for the future of the Salinas Valley.

This honor belongs to the entire community.

Kobrinsky Evans Family Field Will Help Bring 8 New Soccer Fields to the Salinas Regional Soccer Complex

Salinas, CA — The Salinas Regional Soccer Complex today announced that Catherine Kobrinsky Evans and Lee Evans have made the first community leadership gift to The Match, committing $250,000 to help bring 8 new soccer fields to the complex.

Their investment marks a defining early step in a $3 million campaign, launched by a $1.5 million challenge gift from Taylor Farms, inviting the community to invest the other $1.5 million.

In recognition of their gift, one of the new fields will be named the Kobrinsky Evans Family Field, honoring a family whose commitment has helped shape the vision, momentum, and future of the Salinas Regional Soccer Complex.

The Match represents a pivotal opportunity to expand one of the most heavily used community assets in the region. The Salinas Regional Soccer Complex currently serves more than 11,500 weekly users. Once these 8 new soccer fields are completed in early 2027, that number is expected to grow to more than 20,000 weekly users, nearly doubling the number of children, families, and community members who will be able to benefit from the complex each week.

This expansion will strengthen the Salinas Regional Soccer Complex’s ability to host larger regional and statewide tournaments, draw more visitors to the area, and generate meaningful economic impact in the tens of millions of dollars for the Salinas Valley through increased sports tourism spending.

“Over the past ten years, we’ve had the privilege of watching this space grow into a place where families come together week after week,” said Catherine Kobrinsky Evans, Vice President of the Board of Directors and Campaign Chair for The Match. “We’ve seen the power of a safe, family and community-centered space to truly shape and strengthen our community. When Taylor Farms stepped forward, it resonated deeply with us and made clear that this is a defining opportunity to lead and invest in a way that reflects what this community deserves.”

Lee Evans said their family’s decision to give at this level was grounded in the impact the expanded Salinas Regional Soccer Complex will have on local youth.

“This is about opening the door for more kids to step onto a field, to be part of a team, and to grow up in an environment that builds confidence, discipline, and connection” Lee shared. “Investing in this effort means expanding that experience to thousands more young people across our community.”

Kurt Gollnick, Board Chair of the Salinas Regional Soccer Complex, emphasized both the significance of this moment and Catherine’s long-standing leadership.

“Catherine has been a driving force behind this vision for years,” said Gollnick. “Her leadership, persistence, and deep belief in what this complex makes possible for families across the Salinas Valley have helped bring us to this moment. For Catherine and Lee to make the first community leadership gift to The Match reflects a level of commitment that is both personal and deeply aligned with the future of this community. It sets the tone for what comes next.”

The Match is a transformational community challenge that will accelerate the next phase of growth for the Salinas Regional Soccer Complex and advance its long-term vision to become the largest facility of its kind between Los Angeles and San Francisco.

All donors to The Match will be recognized alongside fellow community leaders on permanent signage at the new fields, reflecting a shared investment in a project that will shape the future of the Salinas Valley for generations to come.

For more information about the Salinas Regional Soccer Complex and opportunities to support The Match, please visit https://salinassoccer.org/the-match/

About the Salinas Regional Soccer Complex

The Salinas Regional Soccer Complex is a nonprofit community asset dedicated to providing a safe, accessible, and family-centered space for youth and adult recreation. Serving more than 11,500 weekly users, the complex continues to grow as a premier destination for local play, community connection, and regional tournaments.

Media Contact
Jonathan De Anda
General Manager, Salinas Regional Soccer Complex

831-216-5643

jonathan@salinassoccer.org