Where to Play
El Cajon Soccer Center, 1890 Wing Ave., El Cajon--On Saturday nights, this center gets louder than any in the county. That’s because Cajon Speedway sits across the parking lot. Still, the games go on, seven nights a week. More than 60 teams play in eight separate leagues. The cost is $400 per team for an eight-game league. El Cajon has youth leagues from January to July and currently runs mostly men’s divisions. There is a co-ed league on Fridays.
North Park Soccer Center, 2720 Howard St., San Diego--The Folsom Tennis Center on El Cajon Boulevard has been cut almost in half because of the new soccer facility. Tennis matches still go on, but not as late as soccer. As at all the other soccer centers, games are played at night, sometimes until midnight. There is co-ed play on Tuesday and a women’s over-30 league on Wednesdays. In all, there are nine different leagues. Play is seven days a week. Cost is $400 per team.
North County Soccer Park, 74530 Espola Road, Poway--According to director Tom Schwartz, Poway has a three-acre grass warmup area, water fountains and showers and stands for spectators. Artificial turf was recently put in. There are seven leagues, playing six days a week (Saturday is for makeup games). About 55 teams pay $425 per eight-week season. At Poway, unlike some other facilities, playoffs are added to the eight weeks, so a team could play as many as 10 games. Schwartz also runs a 3-on-3 league, which plays on a 50-foot by 85-foot field instead of the regular 85 by 200.
Sorrento Valley Soccer Center, El Camino Real, Del Mar--People who phone this center get a message with the schedule of each night’s games. Games are played five days a week, and the center is trying to start a new co-ed league for Saturday night. Cost is $400 for new teams and $340 for returning teams.
Mission Valley Soccer Center, 1770 Camino De La Reina, San Diego--The Sockers originally ran this center and even practiced there sometimes. But new management says the organization neglected some things. In the past month, Samos Properties bought the facility; new generators, water fountains and scoreboard have been installed. The floor has been cleaned up. About 40 teams are playing in eight-week leagues right now. For teams signing up in August, the cost is $300. It will be raised to $400 in September, although returning teams will be required to play between $300 and $340.