Expanded Daily Pilot Cup kicks off

Rick Devereux

The fifth annual Daily Pilot Cup must be taking its vitamins, because

it continues to grow and grow. Last year’s youth soccer tournament

drew 96 teams. This year, it has expanded to 126, the largest field

yet, according to tournament director Kirk McIntosh.

“Every year it grows in popularity,” he said.

The popularity has grown to such a degree that the tournament has

broken teams into gold and silver divisions. The separation is based

on several criteria including the size of the school and whether or

not that school has a club team.

The winners and runners-up in the silver and gold divisions will

take home medals while the gold winners will also earn trophies.

One of the reasons for the groupings is to eliminate lopsided

games. An effort will be made to pit teams with similar abilities

against each other in the gold and silver divisions.

“This was added in an attempt to try to put together a more

equitable playing field,” McIntosh said.

The tournament begins today and runs through Sunday at Costa Mesa

High and the Costa Mesa Farm Sports Complex. There will still be nine

fields used, but an extra day has been added in order to accommodate

the number of entries.

Close to 2,000 athletes are expected to participate on third- and

fourth-grade girls and boys teams, as well as fifth- and sixth-grade

girls and boys teams.

“Soccer continues to gain in popularity more than anything,”

McIntosh said. “The tournament has gotten enough recognition that

people are waiting for it to start. Teams aren’t supposed to practice

for it, but we know teams are looking forward to playing.”

The tournament format is similar to World Cup play, where teams

are divided into pools. Each team plays the other teams in that pool,

meaning every team is guaranteed at least three games.

“The immediate goal for each team is to win their pool,” McIntosh

said.