MARINE CORPS AIR GROUND COMBAT CENTER TWENTYNINE PALMS, Calif. -- The Combat Center's 2014 Intramural Outdoor Soccer League kicked off at the newly renovated Felix Field, March 10., 2014.
The league is comprised of players ranging from military dependents, Department of Defense personnel and active-duty service members with various units including 1st Tank Battalion, Headquarters Battalion, 3rd Combat Engineer Battalion, 3rd Battalion, 4th Marines, and more.
“Our goal was to accommodate the Marines and what they wanted for the season,” said Tommy Burke, sports specialist, Marine Corps Community Services. “We started this season in March in hopes to have it ended by May, before it gets hot. Our ultimate goal is to give the service members and their families a fun, competitive environment for them to enjoy their time out here.”
This season, the 12 teams will be split into two, six-team divisions. Each team within those divisions will play each other once.
Starting next week, games will consist of two, 30 to 35-minute halves, allowing the players to have more opportunity to get in sync with one another and build consistency with their teammates.
Each week, six games will be played with three on Monday and three on Wednesday.
“I look forward every year to a new challenge playing in this league,” said retired Gunnery Sgt. Jose Pereira, goalie, Headquarters Battalion Team 2. “Last year, we took first place playing under the Robert E. Bush Naval Hospital team, and we have a lot of returning players. We are aiming to play well and have another successful season.”
While competition can be considered second nature to Marines, soccer leagues, like this, also build camaraderie and offer something valuable for Marines to do on their off time, Pereira added.
At the end of the season, the top four teams will receive a first-round bye for the playoffs. The other eight teams will battle it out in a single-elimination style tournament to see who will play the top four teams.
For more information, contact MCCS sports at 760-830-6857.