Youth soccer 'World Cup' comes to Waipi'o fields

By Wes Nakama
Advertiser Staff Writer

WAIPAHU — They came from near (Pearl City) and far (Trumbull, Conn.). They came in sizes small (girls under 12 years of age) to large (boys under 19). They came in full soccer uniforms (most) and grass skirts (girls teams from Kona and West Michigan).

A parade of states marked last night's opening ceremonies of the AYSO National Games. Jeff Widener • The Honolulu Advertiser

"I went to the Nationals in Albuquerque (in 2000), and it was nothing like this," said Lauren West, 17, of the Kona Under 19 girls. "They didn't have anything like this where the mayor speaks to us and stuff ... It wasn't this big."

This week's tournament is said to be the largest in the history of the American Youth Soccer Organization, which boasts 670,000 participants in 47 states.

KHNL-TV general manager John Fink, last night's emcee, needed 22 minutes just to introduce the 84 teams from California alone. The teams marched across the plush grass field led by signs bearing state names, with flags and banners flashing their city and team colors. They smiled, waved to a crowd of about 3,000 in the stands, and soaked it all in.

The ceremonies, which included a hula show, music by the Royal Hawaiian Band, entertainment from the Polynesian Cultural Center and a fireworks display, were organized by AYSO volunteers Ron and Elaine Inouye of Kane'ohe.

The Chicago United brought nine teams — boys and girls — in four age divisions.

As always, there was money to raise. The United rented a popular outdoor ice skating rink on the Lakefront for a private party in January and each player sold at least five tickets at $10 apiece. They did the same thing for a Valentine's Dance in February. They also had raffles and auctions.

"We had about 10 different travel parties, and these are parents with full-time jobs busting their humps working another 30 to 40 hours a week at nights and weekends planning this so we could come," said Mike Misetic, coach of the United's Under 16 boys.

Across the country, it was the same — a lot of cars to wash, a lot of peanut brittle and M&M's to sell.

But definitely worth it.

"Hawai'i compared to New York (last year's site) ... this is much stronger," said the United's Josh Romaniuk, 16.

A teammate, 16-year-old Marvin Gramajo has already gone snorkeling and surfing.

"I got hurt a couple times surfing, but it was fun," Gramajo said. "Hawai'i is gorgeous. ... And the climate here is perfect, not too hot. And our hotel — whoah."

"This is it," Misetic said. "This is their World Cup."