Photo by Jake Knoeller – The 2021 Humboldt Champions Cup finalists line up before the championship game.

By Ray Hamill — A group of local soccer enthusiasts and players have found a fun way to help the game in the community.

This weekend, they will host the second annual Humboldt Champions Cup at the Bear River Recreation Center, and all proceeds from the event will go to youth soccer in the community.

The three-day tournament kicks off on Friday night and will run through Sunday, with the championship game set for 2:30 p.m. that afternoon.

The inaugural Humboldt Champions Cup was held 2021 at the same venue, and organizers say they want to make it an annual event.

And that’s not all.

This year’s tournament will also feature a vendors’ market, with food, vendors, crafts and non-profits on hand on Saturday and Sunday, as well as a bounce house on Sunday.

The event will feature eight teams made up of local players, including many from throughout the H-DNL, some from College of the Redwoods and some former Cal Poly Humboldt players, among others.

The Sequoia FC 18U squad will be among the participants.

The 2021 tournament was won by FC Athleticos, which defeated Redwood Curtain FC  2-1 in the final.

Organizers also expressed their gratitude to the Bear River Casino Resort for allowing them to use the facilities.

“It’s nice that we have that field available,” said Eddie Garcia, one of the organizers and the Eureka High boys head coach.

The action gets under way on 5:30 p.m. on Friday.

Submitted photo – The Redwood Curtain FC that featured several Eureka High players made it to the final of the 2021 Humboldt Champions Cup.