Soccer Dreams by Catherine Kobrinsky Evans, Kurt Gollnick, Salinas (Letters to the editor — Monterey Herald)
In the Salinas Valley, soccer is more than a sport. On weekends, children race across fields, parents line the sidelines with folding chairs, and families travel together for tournaments. The game is woven into daily life here, crossing cultures and languages, and uniting people in a way few things can.
As coaches, we’ve spent years on those sidelines, guiding our own children and hundreds of others. What we’ve seen is that soccer is more than skill and competition. It builds resilience, confidence, and character. Just as importantly, it builds community.
And the opportunities the game provides at the Salinas Regional Soccer Complex are wide-ranging. On one end, national showcases like Alianza de Futbol and the Chevron Soccer Academy bring scouts, training, and the possibility of professional play. These events open doors and spark big dreams for our young athletes.
On the other end, there is something equally powerful — playing for connection and pride. That’s why the new Harvest Cup is so exciting. This fall, local companies will field teams not for scholarships or contracts, but for bragging rights. It’s soccer as a celebration of wellness, teamwork, and community spirit. The Harvest Cup reflects what the game has always been about in the Salinas Valley: people coming together.
That’s the beauty of soccer. Whether it’s a child chasing a dream, a teenager testing their limits, or coworkers trading the office for the pitch, the game has a place for everyone.
The Salinas Valley has always been defined by hard work, family, and community. Soccer mirrors those same values. And with traditions old and new — from Alianza to the Harvest Cup — we’re reminded that this game belongs to us all.
— Catherine Kobrinsky Evans, Kurt Gollnick, Salinas
