Attracting more soccer tourneys to Phoenix is goal

by Jourdan RassásThe Arizona RepublicFeb. 21, 2007 12:00 AM

Luke Mulholland, 18, said he has played soccer his entire life. Although this trip was his third to Phoenix from Preston, England, to play soccer, there was something different about this tournament. It would be the first to be played at Reach 11.

A rainbow of balloons swayed in the breeze at the entrance to one of the Reach 11 soccer fields Friday, welcoming people of all ages to the grand opening of what will be the largest single-site sports complex in Arizona, at 2425 E. Deer Valley Road.

More than 200 people attended the ceremonies, featuring Phoenix Mayor Phil Gordon, Olympic gold medalist Shannon MacMillan and Eric Wynalda, the all-time leading scorer for the U.S. men's team.

The ceremony was to mark the opening of the first of the two-phase project, which included 10 lighted soccer fields, including one synthetic turf system from Sportexe, two playground areas and 1,200 parking spaces.

The second phase will add 10 lighted fields, a proposed all-weather running track and, with the necessary funding, a 4,000-seat stadium.

District 2 Councilwoman Peggy Neely said she hopes the sports complex will bring more soccer tournaments to the Valley and be used as a site for Super Bowl-related activities.

"I see the community coming out and rallying their heroes," Neely said.

MacMillan said Reach 11 and those who contributed to the opening of the park are "enhancing the next generation."

"I'm in the coaching world now, so hopefully I'll be out here coaching one day," she said.

SC del Sol youth soccer club and teams from Maryland, Virginia and England competed in a soccer tournament at the complex in the evening.

Mulholland said he was looking forward to playing on the field because of its synthetic grass surface, which he says is easier on players' feet than the grass fields he usually plays on.

Tobin Shanks, 6, said he thought the field was different from others he has played on in the three years he has been involved in soccer.

"It's (Reach 11) good," said Shanks, of Scottsdale, kicking around a soccer ball.

Wynalda said Reach 11 is a "glimmering example of what can be accomplished. These little guys are smiling, holding their balls and waiting for us to stop talking so they can get out and play."