Cleveland Aiming to Compete with ECR and Birmingham for City Section Soccer Championship

West Valley League Boys’ Soccer: Cleveland Aims to Challenge El Camino Real and Birmingham

The West Valley League boys’ soccer landscape is traditionally dominated by El Camino Real and Birmingham, as both schools frequently vie for the City championship. This season, however, Cleveland is poised to disrupt that longstanding narrative under second-year coach Julio Chacon.

Entering their league opener against El Camino Real on Wednesday with an impressive 11-2 record, the Cavaliers feature standout player Anderson Carranza, who has netted 10 goals this season.

Chacon, a graduate of Cleveland, emphasizes the importance of instilling confidence in his players as they prepare to compete against the defending City champions and the historically strong Birmingham squad. “I’m trying to build a new culture,” Chacon stated, reflecting on his mission to elevate the team’s competitive spirit.

This season marks a significant shift in the title chase, with the competition appearing more open than in recent years. Sylmar has already secured a victory over Birmingham, while South East boasts a record of 14-1-2, including a tie against the same rival.

For El Camino Real, the week ahead poses a significant challenge, with matches against Cleveland followed by a face-off against Birmingham on Friday. The team demonstrated its resilience by clinching a 5-0 victory over Sylmar, marking a strong start to their demanding schedule.