In order to tackle a 14-venue, 320-team, 5,000-player monster like the youth soccer Coldwell Banker Shootout, one must first accept an undeniable truth:
You cannot see it all.
I wanted to try anyway, or at least see how much soccer and festivities one person can absorb on a Saturday morning and afternoon.
The goal:
Visit as many sites and watch as much game action as possible in five hours, while also taking in the other elements of the Shootout that make it one of Tucson's biggest and most enjoyable events.
Armed with a notepad, pen, tape recorder and a box of every young soccer player's favorite drink — Capri Sun — I set out on the journey.
Stop 1
Udall Park, 7200 E. Tanque Verde Road
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8:57 a.m.: Not a cloud in the sky, and the National Weather Service lists the temperature on Tucson's East Side at a crisp 42 degrees. It is a good start to the day.
9:38: Professional soccer players are known for their zany, spotlight-seeking goal celebrations. Luckily, there are no me-first attitudes on display on Udall's two adjacent fields.
A girl from Mesa's AYSO Region 1079 Heat Under-14 team scores a goal, and quickly leaps into a teammate's arms. From the sidelines, another teammate shouts, "I love you for scoring!"
9:51: The appointed mascot — a poodle — of the U-14 New Mexico Rush Lady Swoosh is drawing attention from nearby spectators. The Las Cruces-based Swoosh showed off the dog at Friday's opening ceremonies, with its legs, ears and back painted blue.
"Mom, I want a blue dog" one boy says.
"Ask your dad," his mom quipped.
Stop 2
Golf Links Sports Complex, 2400 S. Craycroft Road
10:14: If Fort Lowell Park is the Times Square of the Shootout, then this place — the Richard Giebner Soccer Fields — is not far behind. The five fields are jam-packed with soccer.
10:18: I quickly realize I am the only person, among several hundred players and fans, drinking Capri Sun. So much for trying to fit in.
The world must have evolved. Bottles of Gatorade and Vitamin Water are strewn all over the place. I ditch the Capri Sun before someone starts laughing.
10:25: Heidi McCabe, a former Sahuaro High School soccer player, is in charge of checking in all teams that come to Golf Links. She is there with her 9-month-old daughter, Callianne, and brother, Evan Witt.
"We got here around 6:45 this morning, and we probably won't leave until about 7 tonight," McCabe says, unbothered by the long hours. Efforts like hers make mega events like this possible.
10:52: While a pair of Tucson Soccer Academy boys players pass the time trying to kick a ball into a garbage can, business at the Hawaiian Shave Ice stand is nonexistent.
Vendor Tanya Lilly reads a book under the tent, knowing the icy treat — like sno-cones, only much better — won't sell much in the breezy conditions.
"It takes a brave kind of a soul," Lilly says. That eliminates me.
Stop 3
Himmel Park, 1000 N. Tucson Blvd.
11:36: This scenic, tree-filled park hosts only one game at a time, much less eventful than the others. The U-10 team from Tanque Verde Soccer Club scores early to take a 1-0 lead on Arizona Soccer Club from Gilbert.
Nearby, games of badminton, flag football, tennis and some form of stick ball — except with tree branches and a dried-up orange — are being played.
There is not enough soccer here. Time to move on.
Stop 4
Jacobs Park, 3300 N. Fairview Ave.
11:55: Predictably, available parking spaces are now at a premium. I get lucky and find one after four trips around the parking lot.
12:14 p.m.: Most Shootout spectators are family of the players. Not Cheryl Watkins. The Tucson resident comes to Jacobs Park every year and parks her chair at the same field all day.
Watkins cheers for whichever teams sit on the same sideline as she. "So far today, my teams are 2-0," she says.
"This is just a riot. There are so many kids and they all have a blast. It's nice to just come watch them."
Stop 5
Ochoa Park, 3400 N. Fairview Ave.
12:33: Across the street from Jacobs Park, the parking situation is worse. Many people are forced to enter the back end of the Holy Hope Cemetery grounds and park in a dirt lot.
As I pull into a makeshift parking spot, a stray ball from the field in front of me hits my windshield. I think the spirits are trying to tell me something.
12:46: David Vasquez and Chris Gomez, members of El Paso's Arsenal United FC U-14 team, goof around in a game of one-on-one.
The teammates play on the sidelines, sidewalk, and even amid spectators. Their game starts in 14 minutes, but it cannot get here soon enough.
Stop 6
Fort Lowell Park, 2900 N. Craycroft Ave.
1:07: Rumor has it that food from El Charro Café is being sold here, the Shootout's headquarters. Lunch is priority No. 1. I buy an El Charro chicken burrito ($7), Indian fry bread from another vendor ($5) and a small bag of Kettle Korn ($4) for later.
1:33: The park doubles as a carnival of sorts, with inflatable jumping castles, slides and mazes for entertainment. As painful as it is, I walk away without indulging in the fun.
1:45: The AYSO Region 329 Eagles, a U-12 team out of Rio Rico, walk on the park's main field to warm up for a Dick Giebner Highlight Game.
The Eagles players can't help but marvel at the field's green grass.
"This field is cool," Jacqueline Valenzuela shouts.
"I know, it's green," teammate Karolina Renteria says. "I feel so professional."
2 p.m.: The Eagles and their opponents, Vail Soccer Club Chelsea, are at midfield for the national anthem and introductions.
One by one, the players step forward as their names echo over the loudspeakers. Every girl has a mile-wide smile, embracing the rare moment on center stage.
"Let's play soccer," the announcer says.
It is music to my ears.
Tyler hansen's Shootout tour by numbers
6
Sites
22
Games
33.7
Miles traveled
32
Red lights
5:03
Elapsed time (hours and minutes)
$21
Concession costs
161
Soccer moms' minivans
