For the first time in decades, a local Orchard Valley soccer
team has advanced to the State Cup semifinals.
For the first time in decades, a local Orchard Valley soccer team has advanced to the State Cup semifinals.
The Orchard Valley Blast, a boys under-14 team led by coaches Richard Mussallem, Sergio Herrera and Jorge Sanchez, completed the regular season with their highest finish in the CYSA District II, Abronzino, Division A.
In tournament play, the Blast endured only a loss to the Nevada state champions. The Blast is currently competing in the semifinals of the California Youth Soccer State Cup competition against the Santa Clara Sporting team.
The team members, Forrest Alvarez, Daniel Amaro, Justin Cordeiro, Kyle Dunne, Victor Garcia, Paul Jensen, Michael Galvan, Jose Lopez, Sahand Rahsaz, Alex Salvatier, Armando Sandoval, Jorge Sanchez, Daniel Stuart, Christian Turnlund, Kristian Urias and James Walker, contributed to victories over Fresno Roosevelt, Marin F.C., Lamorinda, Santa Rosa United and MCFC Salinas Select.
The players, all from Morgan Hill, San Martin and Gilroy, played for local junior high and high school teams. The success of the players are directly attributed to the years of training by Herrera, a product of Live Oak High School, whose efforts include on-field training and off-field counseling.
