‘Clash’ to attract more than 1,900 soccer players to C-W

Approximately 120 youth soccer teams from throughout Washington and Oregon are expected to arrive next week in Camas and Washougal, to participate in the “Clash at the Border” tournament.

The ninth annual competition, involving more than 1,900 soccer players, will be held Friday, July 8, through Sunday, July 10, at several local fields including Doc Harris Stadium and complex, Cardon Field at Camas High School, Harmony Sports Complex, the JD Zellerbach Administration Building, Dorothy Fox and Prune Hill elementary schools, Skyridge Middle School and Nautilus, in Vancouver.

“Teams are coming from all over to participate in the tournament,” said Tournament Director Jeff Castagnola. “From Oregon, we have teams from all over the Portland metro area — Gresham, Beaverton, Canby, Lake Oswego, West Linn and Portland — as well as a number of teams from Bend coming into town. From Washington, we have teams from Pasco, Redmond, Preston, Federal Way and Poulsbo.

“It’s a great event for our community that brings thousands of people into our town and showcases how great of a community we have here,” he added.

Castagnola also serves as the Camas-Washougal Soccer Club/Washington Soccer Academy assistant director of coaching.

Gary Osterhage, coach of the Pilots — a boys’ under 14 team — is also director of coaching for the WSA.

He described the “Clash at the Border” as a great competition featuring some of the best clubs and teams from all over the northwest.

“It’s an opportunity for our players to kick off the summer and test themselves against those other top teams, score goals and win big games in front of their friends and families,” Osterhage said. “We have this year other clubs supporting our event – VUSA Timbers, Eastside SC and Bend Premier – so this helps in great competition in each age group and bracket. In return, we are supporting their tournaments later this summer.

“It’s a great community event that brings lots of players and families out to watch some great soccer and have fun,” he added.

Ross Fagan has coached the two-time defending champions the Oregon Soccer Academy Explosion, an under 15 girls’ team.

“The Camas area has been an up-and-coming area for soccer over the last few years, producing some quality players,” he said. “WSA has a lot to do with that, giving the kids a great opportunity to learn under good guidance. The Clash at the Border tournament has mirrored exactly that — giving soccer teams a good stage to show their talents.”

A new addition to this year’s tournament will be a league game featuring the Portland Timbers U-23 team playing against the Abbotsford Mariners from Canada, Friday, July 8, at Doc Harris Stadium, 1125 N.E. 22nd Ave. The Timbers feature Camas High School graduates Brent Richards and Nick Palodichuk.

The kick-off time has been changed to 7:30 p.m. All tickets are general admission, and they can be purchased for $5 each at the gate or online at www.wsasoccer.net/Tournament. All players and coaches who participate in the Clash at the Border will watch the game for free.

Individuals from “The Outreach Program for Soccer” will play during halftime.

For more information, contact Castagnola at (503) 382-7184 or adoc@cwsoccer.com.