State Cup

As a big sports fan over the course of my life I have primarily followed the three main sports in the United States of baseball, basketball, and football. And just as I have watched the sports I have also played all three. Being by far the most successful in basketball. But recently I went to an event for the first time that honestly shocked me at the vast number of players, teams, and fans. The Iowa State Cup. This huge soccer tournament for ultimate bragging rights among the youth soccer players from all over the state. To be perfectly honest I would have never ever gone to or known about the State Cup if it weren't for my girlfriend's soccer team who has had quite of bit of success over the past few years at the event, winning 3 of the past 5 years. This year's she wasn't quite as lucky sadly and ended up losing in the championship game to a team they had beaten on the first day. She is still a little bit mad about this so I hope she doesn't end up reading this. But as I went to watch the first soccer game I have been to in probably over two years, I was expecting to see some boring soccer game at a small field with a bunch of parents and yelling coaches around me. In all actuality I was shocked when I arrived. Hundreds of cars parked back to back to back cramped in a huge parking lot as well as over 30 soccer fields with games being played on each and every one. In my life I have been to some pretty big basketball tournaments all over the midwest but his soccer tournament by far takes the cake as the largest tournament. The format is set up so that it takes place over 4 weekends from start to finals and hundreds of teams from all different age ranges from all over the state come to compete. I have never found soccer particularly fun to watch but in this environment and with as close as some of the games end up being it's actually a great time. The complex is only 10 to 15 minute drive depending on where you live in Cedar Rapids and is really worth the time. If you have never been to a State Cup soccer game I really do recommend going and taking in the whole atmosphere. You won't regret it. (412)