The Crested Butte News Serving the Gunnison Valley since 1999
Catch the action up close
by Than Acuff
Listen, I know what you may be thinking. Male soccer players, with a couple of exceptions, are a bunch of whiny pretty boys who complain about every single call by the official and somehow, when there is contact, end up rolling around on the ground in unadulterated pain, only to get up a minute later as if all is okay.
To be honest, I agree and I’ve been playing/watching the sport since I was five.
As for women soccer players? Tough as nails, work hard and play a tremendous game of soccer.
This weekend you can see both in action as the West Elk Soccer Association is hosting the 24th annual Crested Butte Adult Coed Soccer Invitational Saturday and Sunday, June 16-17.
And the timing couldn’t be more perfect as the 2018 World Cup kicks off on Thursday, June 14 as 32 countries, not including the U.S., will be competing for global soccer—er, football—domination.
The Crested Butte tournament is one of the longest running adult tournaments in the state and is a big draw for teams throughout the Rockies as an excuse to come to Crested Butte, play a little soccer and party.
Seven teams are coming to town from the Front Range and the Western Slope to battle the local Kickers. The Kickers came oh-so-close to winning their home tournament last year and should have another shot at the title if they can collect just the right amount of talent to battle the typically younger teams that come to Crested Butte.
Games will be played all day Saturday, starting at 9 a.m. at both Rainbow field and the school soccer field. The tournament party Saturday night will be hosted by Pitas in Paradise and Sunday matches start at 9 a.m. with the championship game at Rainbow field at 1 p.m.
The Kickers are scheduled to play on Saturday at 9 a.m. at Rainbow and 1 p.m. at the school field, and on Sunday at 9 a.m. at the school field. Provided they tally a couple, if not three, positive results, the Kickers could very well be facing a Front Range powerhouse on Sunday in the finals. Either way, fan support is strongly encouraged at any and/or all games.
