Soccer to Take Over Clearwater Beach This Weekend

Clearwater Beach will be invaded this weekend. But not by sea nor air nor opposing forces.

Instead, soccer will take over Clearwater Beach near Pier 60. Beach soccer that is.

Beginning today, some 1,000 soccer enthusiasts of all ages will participate and compete in a three-day beach soccer tournament. The event, sponsored by the Orlando City Soccer Club, a number of teams will be vying for a berth in the Major Beach Soccer national championships in mid-December which will also be held at Clearwater Beach.

While some may be unfamiliar with beach soccer, the sport is quite familiar with Florida. For 21 years, Major Beach Soccer has held contests on the sands of the Sunshine State.

A club formed by Florida residents known as Florida Beach Soccer FC will face its greatest challenge from a team sponsored by ESPN Deportes.

“Clearwater is one of the world’s top locations for beach soccer and this year’s event is expected to be one of our largest ever,” USL Director of Beach Soccer Eddie Loewen said in a press release about the tournament. “The unprecedented community support we receive in Clearwater is one of the main reasons the tournament is stronger than ever after 20 years.”

High-flying bicycle kicks are just some of the popular moves fans will see often throughout the tournament, thanks to the cushion of the powdery white beach. Because the boundary of the beach soccer playing surface is significantly smaller along with smaller goals, the game moves at a frantic pace.

The tournament will have both men's and women's open divisions.

Among the sponsors of the event are two local famous establishments, Shepherd's Beach Resort and Hooters. Official MBS parties will be held at Shepherd’s replete with DJs for both the soccer players and fans alike.

If you go:

Play begins at 10 a.m. Friday  (July 15) and continues through Sunday with final matches set for 6:30 p.m.

Call the weather hotline at (813) 644-0952 to check on games postponed due to inclement weather.