SAN JOSE, Calif. â The San Jose Earthquakes today announced a partnership with the Salinas Regional Sports Authority that will see the Quakes provide infrastructure additions to the Salinas Regional Soccer Complex as well as additional community engagement efforts with youth and families in Salinas in 2023.
The Earthquakes will be making an official in-person announcement during the Earthquakes X Salinas Kickoff Party @ 201 Main in Oldtown Salinas on Friday, Feb. 3. The event is set to take place from 5-8 p.m., and will feature live music, giveaways, and appearances by Quakes players and Salinas natives Emi Ochoa and Jerry Ayon. Earthquakes Hall of Famers Frank Yallop and Ramiro Corrales will also be present.
Fans interested in attending the Earthquakes X Salinas Kickoff Party @ 201 Main in Oldtown Salinas can RSVP by clicking here. The first 100 fans that arrive will receive a complimentary drink voucher (must be 21 and older).
The following evening (Saturday, Feb. 4), the Quakes will play a friendly vs. USL Championship side Monterey Bay F.C. at Cardinale Stadium in Seaside, Calif. To purchase tickets for the match, click here.
âWith the 2023 MLS season kicking off in February, and the 2026 FIFA World Cup coming to the Bay Area, the San Jose Earthquakes are committed to growing the sport of soccer throughout Northern California,â said Earthquakes Vice President of Marketing Tutul Rahman. âWeâre thrilled to partner with the Salinas Regional Sports Authority in an effort to positively impact that community and grow the passion for soccer in Monterey County.â
The Salinas Regional Soccer Complex, formerly known as the Constitution Soccer Fields, is the epicenter of soccer in Salinas. Part of a multi-phase project, the complex has tournament-quality outdoor fields that provide a safe, healthy space for fitness, life skills, and athletic development for approximately 5,000 local youth soccer players.
A key element of the partnership will be several infrastructure additions on Field E, the complexâs primary pitch for high-level competition. New professional-level sheltered benches will be placed for team use, and eight rows of premium aluminum bleachers will be installed for guests to enjoy games comfortably. Installations are scheduled to be complete and ready to use for the 2023 youth soccer season in March.
The infrastructure additions will also include new shade structures by the Celebration Plaza clubhouse to shade guests from the elements all year long.
"Salinas is soccer, a belief that has led our community on a long journey to build a high-quality soccer complex that recognizes the passion and talent for the game in the Salinas Valley,â said Catherine Kobrinsky Evans, a member of the Salinas Regional Soccer Complex founding board of directors. âIt is a great honor for an organization like the San Jose Earthquakes to recognize what is so special about this place and the soccer community that calls it home. We are grateful for the partnership and the exciting improvements we all look forward to in 2023!"
The Earthquakes will continue to have a strong presence in the Salinas community after these events and upgrades. New in 2023, the Quakes will have special giveaways and offers for local youth players, families, and guests throughout the year. More information about future Quakes activations and giveaways will be announced later.
âIâm excited to see the impact that this partnership will have for players and families in Salinas,â said Earthquakes Homegrown goalkeeper and Salinas native Emi Ochoa, who signed his first professional contract at 14 years old. âI remember playing on those fields and know how beneficial it will be for the soccer community to get this support from the Quakes.â
About Salinas Regional Soccer ComplexÂ
Located in the heart of the Salinas Valley, plans for the completed Salinas Regional Soccer Complex include 21 tournament-quality outdoor fields, one new indoor field, an indoor learning, health and training center, a Celebration Plaza, a childrenâs play area, a perimeter walking and exercise path and picnic areas. For more information, visit www.salinassoccer.org.