20 years ago and still today, proving your Club could host a fun successful championship tournament where teams and rivals from all over California could come and play was, and is quite an accomplishment.  State rivals battling on the fields, gauging where the teams stand this year as State Cup approaches.  The vast open space of Cherry Island, the romantic name, all lends itself to the feel of the tournament.  For some, remembering the young saplings tied to their support stakes planted so many years ago, growing each year until now we sit in the shade of fully grown mature trees with leaves and memories blowing in the wind surrounding the fields watching our own children and even grandchildren play.  The space growing to house 5 fields, then ten.  Weekends with countless children playing the beautiful game and the parents and supporters relaxing in the shade, knowing certainly it was a good day; and that they had made the right decisions getting their families involved in such a meaningful sport.  For the local players, the faces on the fields, the refs who also officiate their high school games and own the local soccer shops, the coaches and parents on the sidelines, it proves there is a larger community in Sacramento to which they belong that comes together to support the children.  The prayers for victory whispered in the center circle, the suffering of a loss to a state rival, this tournament has it all. Thank you, to San Juan Soccer Club players, parents, and community supporters for 20 years of vast experience and many more to come…