Evander, Gerardo Valenzuela help Cincinnati beat Austin 2-1
CINCINNATI (AP) — Evander Da Silva Ferreira — known simply as “Evander” — had a goal and an assist, Gerardo Valenzuela scored the go-ahead goal in the 76th minute and FC Cincinnati beat Austin FC 2-1 on Saturday night. Cincinnati (8-3-1) had its string of five consecutive wins, and six straight games without a loss, […]
CINCINNATI (AP) — Evander Da Silva Ferreira — known simply as “Evander” — had a goal and an assist, Gerardo Valenzuela scored the go-ahead goal in the 76th minute and FC Cincinnati beat Austin FC 2-1 on Saturday night.
Cincinnati (8-3-1) had its string of five consecutive wins, and six straight games without a loss, snapped with a 1-0 loss at New York City FC last time out.
Valenzuela put away a one-touch finish — off a perfectly-placed feed that Evander chipped from the left side of the area and slipped over the head a defender to find Valenzuela at the back post — to cap the scoring.
Austin FC (5-6-1) has lost three consecutive games by a combined score of 7-1 and has scored just three goals since a 1-0 win over St. Louis on March 30.
Austin beat Cincinnati 5-0 to open the 2022 season in the only other regular-season matchup between the teams.
Evander opened the scoring in the 12th minute with his seventh goal of the season. Lukas Engel played a one-touch pass from the left side to Evander for a finish from the edge of the area that slipped inside the post.
Brandon Vázquez converted from the penalty spot in the 48th minute to make it 1-1.
City of Brawley and BPD Launch of Inaugural MLS GO Youth Soccer League | News
BRAWLEY — The City of Brawley, in partnership with the Brawley Police Department, proudly hosted the opening ceremony for the inaugural season of MLS GO, Major League Soccer’s youth soccer program, at Ed Soto Field. This landmark event marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter for youth sports in the community. MLS GO is designed to provide […]
BRAWLEY — The City of Brawley, in partnership with the Brawley Police
Department, proudly hosted the opening ceremony for the inaugural season of MLS GO, Major League Soccer’s youth soccer program, at Ed Soto Field. This landmark event marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter for youth sports in the community.
MLS GO is designed to provide an inclusive and elevated recreational soccer experience for boys and girls ages 4 to 13. The program aims to foster community engagement, promote physical activity, and instill values of teamwork and sportsmanship among young athletes.
The opening ceremony featured enthusiastic participation from local families, community leaders, and law enforcement officers. Brawley Police Department officers, serving as coaches and mentors, emphasized the department’s commitment to building positive relationships with the youth through sports.
“This initiative is more than just about soccer; it’s about community, mentorship, and providing our youth with opportunities to grow and succeed,” said Chief Jimmy Duran. “We’re excited to see the positive impact this program will have on our city’s young residents.”
The City of Brawley and the Brawley Police Department invite all community members to support and participate in the MLS GO program. For more information on registration and upcoming events, please visit the Brawley Police Department’s official Instagram or Facebook Page.
Central Valley set to host 2nd annual California Youth Soccer Cup
FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) — It’s called the beautiful game — and come this Memorial Day weekend, the Central Valley will welcome in nearly 80 youth soccer programs for the 2nd annual California Youth Cup. The video above is from an earlier story and will be updated. The tournament will take place from May 23-26 at […]
FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) — It’s called the beautiful game — and come this Memorial Day weekend, the Central Valley will welcome in nearly 80 youth soccer programs for the 2nd annual California Youth Cup.
The video above is from an earlier story and will be updated.
The tournament will take place from May 23-26 at three separate locations that include the Fresno State soccer stadium, Fresno City’s Ratcliffe Stadium, and the Immanuel Sports Complex in Reedley.
Tournament Director Carlos Velasco says the second edition of the tournament promises to elevate youth soccer while fostering cross-cultural connections and community pride.
Velasco tells Action News that he’s worked to bring in a world-class lineup of international you clubs, including:
FC Porto (Portugal)
Sporting Clube de Portugal (Portugal)
Juventus FC (Italy)
Athletic Club Bilbao (Spain)
Fluminese FC (Brazil)
Club Blooming Santa Cruz (Bolivia)
Club Pachuca (Mexico)
Club Atlas (Mexico)
Velasco tells Action News that age groups include 9 to 16-year-olds, with two female groups in the mix.
Fresno Mayor Jerry Dyer shared his enthusiasm for the tournament.
“Fresno is proud to welcome these talented young athletes from across the globe,” Dyer said. “We look forward to the passion they’ll bring and the connections they’ll create within the community.”
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Click here to listen to this article! Micah Caster, center, recently helped sponsor new “The Dream” playground equipment in McIntosh through the nonprofit Love Your Community Youth Association. He is pictured with children from McIntosh that will benifit from the playground equipment. Micah Caster, a Division I basketball player at the University of Louisiana Monroe, […]
Micah Caster, center, recently helped sponsor new “The Dream” playground equipment in McIntosh through the nonprofit Love Your Community Youth Association. He is pictured with children from McIntosh that will benifit from the playground equipment.
Micah Caster, a Division I basketball player at the University of Louisiana Monroe, is coming home to host a free camp for young athletes in Southwest Alabama in late May.
Born and raised in McIntosh, Caster grew up surrounded by basketball. He started playing at just 3 years old with STARZ Youth Sports, and later attended Jackson schools, while his father Marcus Caster coached at Jackson High School. Although proud to wear the Aggies jersey, Caster was always torn because his mother is a graduate of McIntosh High School. His heart has always belonged to both towns.
Caster made history at Jackson High School by helping lead the Aggies to their first ever state championship in basketball. He earned honors such as 4A Player of the Year and 4A State Championship Most Valuable Player, but he remained grounded in his faith, family, and the values his hometown taught him.
Now, he is giving back.
Caster will host a free basketball skill camp on May 29 and 30 at Jackson High School. The camp is open to youth athletes from McIntosh, Jackson, Leroy, Grove Hill, Chatom, Thomasville, Mobile and surrounding areas. This is a unique chance to improve your game, connect with a Division I athlete, and be inspired through hard work and determination.
Caster recently helped sponsor new “The Dream” playground equipment in McIntosh through the nonprofit Love Your Community Youth Association. Hosting this camp is another way he is investing in the next generation of young athletes from across the region.
To register for the camp, visit https://form.jotform.com/251125115180140.
Whether you come from a big city or a small town, this camp is for you. Come ready to work hard, learn new skills, and believe in what you can become. This is not just about basketball. It is about growth, confidence and community.
Caster’s story is about more than basketball. It’s about perseverance, faith, and staying humble in life. As he continues to rise, Micah remains a shining example for young athletes everywhere: Keep God first, stay grounded, dream big, and remember never forget where you came from.
AUDIO: Ad hoc committee to pick youth sports complex location is set | WIN 98.5 Your Country | WNWN-FM | Battle Creek, MI
For the health and safety of everyone, our offices are temporarily closed to the public. If you have won a prize from us we will be mailing it to you or will contact you with specific information needed to redeem your prize. Feel free to call us with questions during weekday business hours at (269) 968-1991.
Scotland football to host youth camp at Pate Stadium on Thursday, May 22
LAURINBURG —The Scotland High School Fighting Scots football program will be hosting a youth football camp on Thursday night at Pate Stadium from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. The event will be hosted by Head Coach Richard Bailey and his staff. The camp will be free and is open to students between the ages […]
LAURINBURG —The Scotland High School Fighting Scots football program will be hosting a youth football camp on Thursday night at Pate Stadium from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. The event will be hosted by Head Coach Richard Bailey and his staff. The camp will be free and is open to students between the ages of seven and 14.
The camp will take place after the Scots hold a practice for the returners on the team. It will be an open practice at the stadium from 5 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
The Scots as a team went 7-6 overall (3-3 in conference games) during the 2024 season and were able to advance to the third round of the 3A NCHSAA state playoffs for the second consecutive season. In addition to their playoff victory over Union Pines, they picked up a playoff victory against Terry Sanford before falling to top seeded Havelock.
Scotland will begin their 2025 season on Friday, Aug. 22 at home against Dillon. Under the remade conferences with the North Carolina state realignment, the Scots’ new conference opponents for 2025 will be Gray’s Creek, Terry Sanford, Purnell Swett, Lumberton and Cape Fear.
Their first matchup against any of those teams will be on the road on Friday, Oct. 3 at Gray’s Creek. Their final five games of the 10-game regular season will be against those five opponents.
Youth Soccer Athletes Competed And Were Recognized
Several elementary and middle schools played soccer under the umbrella of the Boys and Girls Club of Burbank and Greater East Valley and just had a year-end banquet. (Photo courtesy Mike Graceffo) By Rick Assad Through tragedy and grief comes healing and hope as the Boys and Girls Club of Burbank and Greater East Valley […]
Several elementary and middle schools played soccer under the umbrella of the Boys and Girls Club of Burbank and Greater East Valley and just had a year-end banquet. (Photo courtesy Mike Graceffo)
By Rick Assad
Through tragedy and grief comes healing and hope as the Boys and Girls Club of Burbank and Greater East Valley Athletic Director, Jay Jackson, who passed away last year, but before he did, started a youth soccer program.
After Jackson’s passing, that program’s torch was handed off to Mike Graceffo, who has been a fixture in the city for five decades.
“Unfortunately, tragically, Jay passed away last July. I took over the position of athletic director in August,” said Graceffo, who graduated from Burroughs High and has been a longtime coach at many different levels and has also been inducted into the Burbank Athletic Walk of Fame. “Our CEO Shanna Warren was very adamant that not only do we continue to carry on this program, but that we take it to another level.”
And with the assistance of so many other people it has done just that and more and has also continued Jackson’s vision.
“With the help of our Director of Impact Rashawn Morris, our Curriculum Manager Brandon Baker, and our Athletic Coordinator Justin Waters, we were able to extend the program to 11 of our Boys and Girls Club school sites, eight Burbank elementary sites and three Burbank middle school sites,” Graceffo said.
There were about three or four seasonal matches held at several Burbank Unified School District schools and saw Bret Harte win the elementary school title defeating Jefferson and Luther beating Muir to claim the middle school title.
Soccer is called the beautiful game, and it was for numerous young athletes from first through eighth grades. (Photo courtesy Mike Graceffo).
The match sites included elementary schools Stevenson, Miller, McKinley, Jefferson, Bret Harte, Edison, Roosevelt and Emerson and middle schools John Muir, Dolores Huerta and Luther.
A year-end recognition banquet was held recently as 120 youngsters ranging from first grade through eighth grade enjoyed the festivities.
“I feel the kids got a lot out of this program. They got a sense of belonging, being on a team, school pride and spirit, having fun, teamwork, and learning about good sportsmanship,” stated Graceffo of the youngsters who played soccer this season. “The program culminated with the initial Boys and Girls Club United Soccer banquet. It was held at our Boys and Girls Club last Thursday evening.”
Graceffo then added: “Parents and participants were allowed to attend. We offered Santoro’s sandwiches, pizza, cake, water and soda. Every athlete received a medal and a T-shirt,” he explained. “All participants that attended were introduced and were able to watch a really cool highlight video produced by our Rashawn Morris. We had over 110 people in attendance. It was an unforgettable evening. A great time was had by all.”
Sports is certainly about competition at every level and in the end of the campaign a champion is crowned.
But sports are also something that brings people together and is challenging and fun and, in many instances, can be a learning opportunity for those involved.
Sports is also a healer of sorts as evidenced after natural disasters like the recent wildfires in Southern California, tornadoes in the Midwest and hurricanes in the South.
