West High Triumph Caps Intriguing
Soccer Weekend
It was certainly one of the more interesting soccer weekends on record.
While I, along with members of the 1986 boys ODP team and their parents
were in Des Moines for the American Cup (more on that later), much of the
local soccer focus was on the West High boys team in Muscatine.
And what a fantastic weekend it proved to be for the Trojans.
Given the way the state championship played out, there was some lively
banter in Des Moines as the Iowa City and Urbandale contingents kept informed
of the goings-on in Muscatine through countless mobile phone calls. But if
there were some frayed nerves at the American Cup site, I’m sure they were
nothing compared to what took place in Muscatine itself.
Double overtimes. Penalty kick shootouts. Red cards. High drama indeed. But
through it all, the Trojans stood tall and emerged victorious.
West High is a worthy state champion. And as the hitherto coach at City
High, I’d like to offer my congratulations to coach Matt Wilkerson and his
staff, all the players and everyone connected with the success. And at least I
can say now that the only team we lost to outside of penalty kick shootouts
all season, was the state champions.
So, as events were unfolding in Muscatine, I was with the ’86 boys ODP
group raising funds for our late July/early August trip to England and
Iceland.
The American Cup is the recreational version of the State Cup. It is open
to all recreational teams – boys and girls from U-9 to U-14, somewhat
loosely defined as teams that do not play in competitive leagues – from
around the state.
Our group helped with running the tournament, including working the
concession and merchandise stands and helping with clean-up, while the ’86
boys themselves also officiated games.
It was not only a financial success for the group, but the whole experience
for the players, not least being on the "other side of the fence" as
referees and assistant referees, was invaluable. It certainly gave them a
different perspective, one which will help them in their own dealings as
players with officials and in their broader understanding of the game.
It was intriguing floating around the Greater Des Moines Soccer Park,
literally, on Sunday morning (given the heavy overnight rain), getting the
feel of a big recreational tournament.
With more than 120 teams from across the state, though mainly from the Des
Moines area, I can’t say that it appeared to be much different from the many
competitive tournaments that I’ve been around. A little more friendly,
perhaps, but the players, coaches and parents weren’t trying any less hard
to win; the officials were still getting grief from all sides; and the
tournament organizers were fielding the usual assortment of questions,
concerns and complaints.
The biggest difference, and with no disrespect to the participants, was in
the standard of play. The players were simply not as good as those one
normally sees taking part in so-called competitive tournaments.
Not that there is anything wrong with this, I just wish those people
involved at the recreational level who choose to portray their game as
"just playing for fun", "don’t care who wins" and
"competitive is a bad model" could see that in reality, this is
seldom the way it is.
You only have to go out to the Kickers Soccer Complex on a weekend during
the fall or spring season to see that the competitive urge is very much part
of the recreational game.
And why shouldn’t it be?
From the Iowa City Press Citizen, June 5, 2000
Submitted By: Ian Parratt
- Coaching Director, Iowa City Alliance Soccer Club
| 
