Soccer benefit draws hundreds in Taylorsville

The Taylorsville Youth Soccer League prides itself on putting kids first. Its recent benefit in honor of former Park City High standout Matt Knoop certainly fit that philosophy.

The league was able to offer 20 scholarships for youths who wouldn’t otherwise be able to afford registration or equipment fees for a full season at its inaugural Kick for Kids event, held Aug. 6 at Taylorsville High. According to league sponsorship and fundraiser director EJ Reyes, each scholarship is $35, which covers the cost of a half season and all equipment except shin guards and cleats.

The scholarship money was donated to the Utah Youth Soccer Association through a fund established for Knoop, who was killed by a hit-and-run driver while serving a mission for the LDS Church in Brazil in April 2008. Knoop, who was one of five recent Park City High graduates to die that same year, had dreamt of becoming a youth soccer coach when he returned from his mission.

The UYSA asked the Taylorsville league to become involved with the benefit, and Reyes and company quickly jumped on board. Nearly 200 people attended the three-hour event, which featured a skills clinic. Members of the Taylorsville High girls soccer team and Knoop’s former competitive squad, Inter FC Utah, volunteered at the event. Inter FC has since retired Knoop’s No. 13 jersey.

“It’s the first time we’ve had it and hopefully it becomes an annual event,” Reyes said. “We believe the basic fundamentals are going to start when you’re younger. We encourage kids to be more active and have more contact with the ball, which is why we play small-sided soccer.”

The Taylorsville league, which is non-profit, has fewer players on the field at once. Meanwhile, the field itself is shorter. Reyes said younger teams play 3-on-3 soccer on a field one-quarter the length of regulation size. As the players get older, more take the field, which increases in size as well.

“When you get to the under-12 division, it’s normal,” Reyes said of the recreational league, which has 17 teams and 140 players ranging in ages from 4 to 15. “We are a growing league.”

The league is bracing for its Super Saturday event set for Aug. 27 at Valley Junior High. Soccer clinics and a carnival are planned from noon to 3 p.m.