The Sonoma Valley United soccer club, a volunteer‑run organization, is preparing its U15 and U19 squads for the Elite Academy League Nationals in St. Louis later this year.
The ambitious goal is to raise $27,000 to cover travel, accommodation and tournament fees, a target that has already seen about $8,000 secured through a series of local fundraisers.
Community Partnerships Fuel the Journey
Local businesses and community groups have stepped up, with names such as Boden Plumbing, Evina Construction and the Schell Vista Fire Department contributing resources and support.
Head coach Jose Antonio Alvarez, who brings nearly four decades of playing experience and four years of coaching, says the initiative is as much about giving back as it is about competition.
Alvarez’s own children are part of the effort; his son Alexis Alvarez‑Perades features on the U15 roster, while his daughter Fernanda Alvarez‑Perades balances club play with her duties at Sonoma Valley High School.
Practices take place at Altimira Middle School, and the squad includes standout players like Mason, a 14‑year‑old winger who has been with the club for a decade, and Louis Alexander Jimenez, who joined at age seven under the guidance of Reina Martinez.
To bridge the funding gap, the club has launched a GoFundMe campaign, inviting families, alumni and supporters to contribute toward the St. Louis adventure.