Soccer Kids Answer: Should Elk Grove Build a Pro Soccer Stadium?

These kids definitely have an agenda: Fresh off a championship game at Soccer World Elk Grove, players quickly said yes when asked if the city should pursue a Major League Soccer arena.

That's because they might want to play there some day.

Sal Ochoa, coach of the 10-and-under Galt Jr. United, said it would be great to have something in town to inspire youth soccer players, some of whom are already in professional development programs.

His team beat the Elk Grove FC 3-2 Monday night for the season's title.

Elementary-school-aged soccer players likely won't be the deciding factor when the Elk Grove City Council makes its decision on whether to pursue a professional soccer stadium and team, but they'll play a role. City staff cite a study on the potential demand for a Major League Soccer team in town, and one of the factors that went into that study was the amount of youth soccer players in northern California; there are more here than anywhere else in the country.

Plus, if the city uses public funds to pay for the stadium, these 9- and 10-year-olds will be helping to pay for it eventually.

Read more about the soccer stadium issue here, and let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.

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