Over the years, the Montclair Soccer Club has provided a great haven for girls and boys.  Kids can join the club as little tikes (age five) and many stick to it for years and years.  Real-life soccer moms and dads are devoted too, with more than 900 families and 1,300 players now participating in club activities.

On Saturday, local soccer devotees are invited to celebrate 40 years in Montclair Village. The first youth team was started back in 1969, and this Shepherd Canyon celebration will be fully retro with hot dogs at 1969 prices (that would be 25 cents) plus fun stuff for kids like a slide and jumpy house.  There’s a raffle for the adults as well.

The celebration features Tiffeny Milbrett, who will make an appearance at our field. Tiffeny’s a World Cup Champion and two-time Olympic Medalist, currently playing professional league soccer with the FC Gold Pride.  She plans to sign autographs and take photos with aspiring girls (and boys), who have seen her play in Santa Clara.

“Our first choice was Tiffeny Milbrett,” explained Montclarion Kimberly Guillen.  “Tiffeny’s story, from youth player to world class athlete, is one of resilience and triumph.  From a family with a hardworking single mom, Tiffeny had to make her own luck.”

As icing on the celebration cake, the Montclair Soccer Club will dedicate their new Shepherd Canyon parking lot.  Montclair Soccer has worked for eight years (!) to expand this lot for park users, in conjunction with other local groups and the City of Oakland.  The lot was constructed last fall – and has greatly improved the safety of park users and drivers since then.

More info: The Montclair Soccer Club celebration takes place on Saturday, June 13th, from noon to 1:30pm, at Shepherd Canyon Park.  Tiffeny Mibrett will appear at 12:30pm.  Given the expected crowd, please take the upper road and park at Escher.  To learn more, visit the Montclair Soccer Club for upcoming activities and season plans.