Editorial

Kirk McIntosh had a dream of bringing together all of the students

from all of the schools in Newport-Mesa for one common cause -- to be the

reigning champs of youth soccer.

The dream has been mostly realized.

McIntosh and others have successfully resurrected the former Lions Cup

soccer tourney and renamed it the Daily Pilot Cup, drawing about 1,450

contestants this year alone, a hike of about 45% compared to last year.

Last weekend, those soccer warriors converged on the fields of the

Costa Mesa Farm Soccer Complex for a battle royale that will be seared

into their memories.

Girls and boys alike scattered about the fields, kicking in goals,

making friendships and creating camaraderie that in some cases will last

a lifetime.

McIntosh should be commended for putting together what we all hope

will become an annual tradition where top-notch athletes from Newport

Beach and Costa Mesa schools get to engage in their own annual World Cup

of sorts.

As many know, soccer has far surpassed baseball as the sport of choice

among youth, a testament to the American Youth Soccer Organization and

parents who spend countless hours directing their children into such

worthwhile activities.

McIntosh, himself an AYSO coach and father of four soccer-playing

daughters, was able to tap into that frenzy and has created an event that

should go on for years to come.

As we said, however, there is still more dreaming to do.

So far, McIntosh has run into stumbling blocks in getting all of the

Westside schools involved for one reason or another.

Some in those schools, many of whom are from lower income families,

can’t afford the entry fee. Additionally, there wasn’t enough volunteer

coaches from those schools to get a team together.

We hope that can change. The Daily Pilot Cup should be a sporting

event that all Costa Mesa and Newport Beach students can call their own.

So we urge those who are involved in the Westside schools to get

behind the effort now because as far as next year’s Pilot Cup goes, we

can hardly wait for the first whistle.