TEAMING UP FOR POSITIVE PASTIMES SOCCER TOURNAMENT REFLECTS CHANGES FOR THE BETTER.Byline: Martin Kuz Staff Writer NORTH HOLLYWOOD - The first-place smile flashed by Elver el·ver n. See glass eel. [Alteration of eelfare, a brood of young eels, the passage of young eels up a river : eel + fare, journey (obsolete). De Leon just about summed up the experience shared by the estimated 5,000 children who participated in Mundialito 2001 on Wednesday. Dubbed dub 1 tr.v. dubbed, dub·bing, dubs 1. To tap lightly on the shoulder by way of conferring knighthood. 2. To honor with a new title or description. 3. the ``Little World,'' the first Tide Cup For Kids tournament offered World Cup-style soccer play that drew hundreds of boys' and girls' teams and their fans. ``It was great,'' said Elver, 14, whose Panorama City team, the Pumas, won the tournament's division for 14- and 15-year-old boys. ``It's been really great to see all the support and see all the people out here.'' The event, hosted by the North Hollywood-based United Nations Youth Soccer League, brought teams from all over Southern California Southern California, also colloquially known as SoCal, is the southern portion of the U.S. state of California. Centered on the cities of Los Angeles and San Diego, Southern California is home to nearly 24 million people and is the nation's second most populated region, as well as Las Vegas Las Vegas (läs vā`gəs), city (1990 pop. 258,295), seat of Clark co., S Nev.; inc. 1911. It is the largest city in Nevada and the center of one of the fastest-growing urban areas in the United States. , Tijuana and the Republic of Armenia. The tournament also attracted thousands of parents and fans, who lined the fields at North Hollywood's Valley Plaza Park soccer complex to root on the teams. As players sprinted up and down the park's worn fields Wednesday, kicking up plumes of dust on an unusually humid hu·mid adj. Containing or characterized by a high amount of water or water vapor: humid air; a humid evening. See Synonyms at wet. afternoon, spectators hollered encouragement, sucked down sodas and scavenged for shade. ``It's a privilege to be part of such a huge tournament,'' said Brigido Cardenas, whose 14-year-old son, Andrew, plays on the Pumas with Elver. ``This is really something that is good for kids.'' ``It's been amazing a·maze v. a·mazed, a·maz·ing, a·maz·es v.tr. 1. To affect with great wonder; astonish. See Synonyms at surprise. 2. Obsolete To bewilder; perplex. v.intr. ,'' Andrew Cardenas added. ``A lot of fun.'' The competition got under way last weekend with early round matches before 80 games were played Wednesday to determine winners in 20 age categories. Players ranged from 6 to 17 years old, with first- and second-place finishers receiving team and individual trophies. ``This is very, very great, to see all the support,'' said Jose Vela vela plural of velum. , coach of a 12- and 13-year-old boys team from Whittier that finished second in its division. ``To see all the kids playing and the parents cheering, it is wonderful.'' Valley Plaza Park is the same site where seven years ago resident Jose Roy Garcia conceived the idea for the United Nations soccer league. Garcia visited the park one summer afternoon in 1994 with his then-2- year-old son and saw children and adults alike drinking and gambling. He asked a few of the kids whether they wanted to play soccer, and about a dozen joined him. He told them to return the next weekend, and 50 youngsters showed up. From there, the soccer league was born and quickly mushroomed, transforming the park into a haven for sports. Today, 5,000 children belong to the league, and Garcia hopes this week's event marked the first of many Mundialito tournaments to come. ``Never in my life did I think it was going to be like this, be this big,'' said Garcia, 47. ``I wanted to do something for my community, and I'm proud of all the people who are here supporting us today.'' The people, in turn, were proud of Garcia and his tournament, which became a reality when he received a $10,000 donation from Tide. Proctor A person appointed to manage the affairs of another or to represent another in a judgment. In English Law, the name formerly given to practitioners in ecclesiastical and admiralty & Gamble, the maker of Tide detergent detergent (dētûr`jənt, dĭ–), substance that aids in the removal of dirt. Detergents act mainly on the oily films that trap dirt particles. , sponsors a national campaign to restore soccer fields. ``I am so grateful that this tournament is here,'' said Veronica Castro, whose sons, Carlos and Miguel, play for a Pasadena team that was runner-up in the 8- and 9-year-old boys division. ``It is something special for the children.'' ``It's been a lot of fun,'' said Miguel Castro, 9. ``It's the way soccer should be - everyone out here together.'' CAPTION(S): 3 photos Photo: (1) Cynthia Escobedo, left, of the San Fernando San Fernando, city, Argentina San Fernando (săn fərnăn`dō), city (1991 pop. 144,761), Buenos Aires prov., E Argentina. It is a district administrative center in the Greater Buenos Aires area. Valley's Cruz Azul and Nancy Aguilar of Norwalk's Aguilas vie for the ball during a Wednesday match. (2) Members of Chivas, a North Hollywood youth team, pose for a picture following their Tide Cup for Kids tournament victory at Valley Plaza Park. (3) Mundialito 2001 trophies were presented to first- and second-place finishing Noun 1. second-place finish - a finish in second place (as in a race) runner-up finish finish - designated event that concludes a contest (especially a race); "excitement grew as the finish neared"; "my horse was several lengths behind at the finish"; "the teams and individuals in 20 age categories. Phil McCarten/Staff Photographer |
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