SANTA ANA : Soccer Team Works Way to Tourneys

Marco Hernandez, 16, dreams of playing soccer against top young athletes from all over the state in upcoming tournaments, and contends his team has a good chance at winning some of them.

Since January, he and his teammates on the Cobras, an American Youth Soccer Organization team, have held car washes, sold candy and held dozens of fund-raisers so they can compete in the Disney Cup in Pasadena next month and several other tournaments.

The boys, all from low-income families, have raised $1,500. Their goal is $5,000.

The boys also hope to play tournaments in Mission Viejo and San Diego, said Connie Major, a spokeswoman for the team and mother of one of its players. Ultimately, they hope to qualify to enter the World Games in Sunnyvale in July.

“We’re not in gangs. We don’t do drugs, drinking or smoking. We’re just trying to have some fun with other people and stay in sports,” Marco said.

To help raise money, Johnny Ace Palmer, a magician, will perform at a benefit for the team on June 25. It will be held at Spurgeon Methodist Church, 1025 W. Memory Lane, in Santa Ana.

Tickets are available by writing to: A Night of Magic, 1057 W. Camden Place, Santa Ana, CA 92707. Tickets for the 5:30 p.m. show include dinner and are $15 for adults and $10 for children 12 and under. The late show begins at 8 p.m. and all tickets are $10. Make checks payable to The Cobras, AYSO. All donations are tax deductible, Major said.

For more information, call (714) 543-1361.