In the city of Coronado, parents day in and day out can be found dropping off or picking up their kids who do everything soccer. Be it practices, games, or tournaments, Coronado Youth Soccer League (CYSL) impacts Coronado and surrounding communities like Imperial Beach, Chula Vista, South Bay, and even Tijuana, providing kids with the opportunity to play as well as learn and develop in soccer, while being in a safe, fun, and positive environment.

Now in the year of 2010, CYSL might not be able to compare to the FIFA World Cup, where an estimated 700 million people worldwide watched Spain defeat the Netherlands 1-0 in South Africa. Yet one would be able to say that CYSL does compare in that it brings people together almost every single day of the year for soccer. Parents gather around the fields, watching their kids develop their passion for the “beautiful game”.

CYSL, which provides both recreational and competitive programs, proved to be successful in 2010. For this organization, it is about giving each player the chance to reach his or her greatest potential as they play soccer out on the beautiful fields of Coronado.

Be inspired by what was achieved in 2010 and what will be achieved in 2011. If you have any interest in playing or getting involved, you can learn more by visiting nadosoccer.com. Select Tryouts will be held January 2011 and Spring Rec Registration has already begun (deadline is in mid-February).

CYSL Fall Rec Program—During the Fall, 50+ volunteer coaches, assistant coaches, and team managers, supported over 400 kids from the micro to U12 age groups in practices and games at Tidelands Park. Cindi Gehler, Director of Rec, reflected on the end of the season, “Fall Rec had great participation, actually it was the highest we’ve seen in the past 4 seasons. The parents and volunteers really made it a success, giving the players the chance to learn the fundamentals of soccer while having fun.” Actually when the season ended in November, some of the kids continued training in preparation for the Coronado Holiday Cup. A total of 7 all-star teams participated, breaking another CYSL record for the highest number of all-star teams to continue play after the end of the season.

Nado Select, CYSL Competitive Program—Nado Select participates in the Presidio Soccer League, which is known to be one of the most competitive soccer leagues in the United States. During the season, not to mention pre and post seasons, players had the chance to battle some great opponent soccer clubs spanning as far North as Carlsbad, as far East as Temecula, and also as far South as the South Bay. Already into the first week of the New Year, most of these teams can be found out on the fields training as they are preparing for southern California’s biggest soccer tournaments, State and National Cup.

BU18 came in 1st place of the BU19 Premier 1 bracket. The team was really focused on accomplishing something special, after all it was their last year. They finished with 9 wins, 2 ties, and 3 losses. With a total of 33 goals for and 11 goals against, the team had scored the most goals and gave up the least goals proving their strength in all aspects of the game. For some players, the end of such a successful season is just icing on the cake. Some will be moving on to play at the collegiate level. Verbal commitments will be announced by Nado Select at a later date.

BU17 played in the BU19 Premier 2 bracket, eventually finishing in the middle. This team, composed of great athletes, finished the season strongly as they won the Nomads Thanksgiving Tournament, which is well-known for its competition and college scouts. This is a thrilling team to watch and one to look out for in 2011.

BU11 White placed 3rd in league play of the AAA bracket, qualifying them for the Premier bracket for 2011. This will be the first team in Nado Select’s history to move on to the Premier bracket in the u12 age group. The team really proved how much heart and passion they had for the game with a solid post-season, finishing as finalist in Presidio Cup’s BU12 bracket as well as champions of the Coronado Holiday Cup.

BU9 had a total of 12 wins and 2 ties, achieving 1st place in their bracket and totaling a massive 58 goals for and 18 against in league play. This team, as their coach Joao Brantuas mentioned, is “Very competitive and confident, the boys persevered through the season and were always ready for big matches. There is some exceptional talent on this team and they are a fun team to watch play.”

BU8 were undefeated in league play, winning 10 and tying 2. The team, compiled of both U8 and U7 players, ultimately won Presidio League and it was their competitive attitudes that really made the difference. The team also finished the post-season strongly as they were finalist in Presidio Cup, a San Diego league-wide tournament.

BU15/BU13/BU11 Green/BU10 did not finish strong in league, except for the 15s placing 4th and the 11s placing 5th. 2010 was a year of development for these teams, either they were playing in an older age group or tougher bracket. All these teams have some exceptional, unique, and creative athletes. Nado Select is hoping that 2011 will be a breakout year for these teams.

GU18 played in the Premier 1 bracket and although they had a rough season, the team managed to win the Nomads Thanksgiving Tournament. Some of these players will be continuing their soccer careers in college and verbal commitments will be announced at a later date.

GU13 or the “magnificent 12” as their coach, Vidal Fernandez, calls them finished 2010 winning the Coronado Holiday Cup for the a 2nd year in a row. Yet the tournament victory is a mere shadow of their accomplishment all year, which included placing 1st in Presidio League as well as winning Presidio Cup. The team outscored their opponents in league play with 42 goals for and only 12 against and have not lost a game since the end of August. Nado Select is hoping for an impressive run for the 2011 State Cup.

GU11 is an extraordinary team, composed of both U10 and U11 players as well as experienced and inexperienced players. Pre-season, which had its success of 2nd place finishes in two tournaments, proved to be a time for the team to develop. In league play, the girls managed to find the strength, work ethic, and unity needed for a 2nd place finish, a total of 9 wins, 1 tie, and 4 losses.

GU8 placed 3rd in league play. This team, who had a total of 6 wins, 7 ties, and 1 loss, were the actually the only team that defeated the 1st place team of the league. The girls had a breakthrough in post-season play. They went undefeated in all of their post-season games, winning both Presidio Cup and Coronado Holiday Cup. The best part of the season was that every player on the team had scored a goal, showing that each one of them could make a difference in such a winning season.

GU17/GU14 White/GU14 Green/GU12/GU9 are teams to keep an eye on for 2011. Although not all of the teams finished strong in league play, with the exception of the 14s White finishing 5th and 14s Green finishing 4th, there are some stupendous athletes on all these teams, who have the passion and imagination necessary for success in the game. Again, Nado Select is hoping that 2011 will be a breakout year for these teams.

CYSL Tournaments—In the summer and winter, you might have noticed a lot of soccer fans cruising Orange Avenue. That could be attributed to CYSL’s Crown City Classic (CCC), which was held over two weekends in the Summer, and Coronado Holiday Cup (CHC), held over one weekend in December. With an outstanding tournament director, Coronado’s own Deb Newman, both tournaments saw a huge spike in participation, especially with teams from outside of San Diego. A total of 167 teams played in the CCC and 111 teams in the CHC, enjoying excellent competition as well as all the great things that Coronado has to offer.

This article is featured in the print edition of the Coronado Eagle, which is a local free newspaper that can be picked up in most shops on Orange Avenue in Coronado.