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
