(East Los Angeles, CA) [From The Editor’s Desk]: Attention to all of our soccer-engaged families! We’re continuing with our trending story regarding the timely community outreach efforts of the Empire Strykers soccer team representing the Inland Empire. Youth Soccer history was recently made this last week of July, and many of the campers’ hoped-for outcomes won’t become a reality until the short-term future arrives, when many of these same youngsters will be either in high school, college, or hopefully in the professional ranks somewhere here in the United States or possibly in other parts of the world. 

And they will stand very confident and proud that they were given an opportunity at a young age in 2025 when they participated FREE of charge in the Empire Strykers four-day Youth Soccer Clinic that took place right in their backyard, in the talent-rich Inland Empire of Southern California.

One aspect of this incredible story was the strong media collaboration noted between the Empire Strykers and ESPN 710 AM Radio, resulting in a clear “win-win” situation. There aren’t too many local media outlets that would be willing to conduct a full six-hour production in helping to publicize a “Live” community event like this one, especially when it has to also travel to do a remote broadcast with the promoters and the special guests who came on to be interviewed for the vast audience that ESPN has. We gratefully say Congrats to both parties on a fantastic job in bringing this event to our attention and to the public’s. Hopefully, more like it will appear on other media platforms in the near future!

Let’s now read a brief summary of what took place during this Camp, accompanied by a very comprehensive photo gallery that will give us a clear snapshot of the activities. A very “Special Thanks” goes out to the Empire Strykers’ Head of Communications, Gunnar Brendt, for sharing these photos with the media who provided coverage of his sponsored event.

EMPIRE STRYKERS SCORE BIG WITH WINNING YOUTH CLINIC

Upland, Calif. — The largest free youth soccer camp ever hosted by a professional sports team in the Inland Empire solidly completed its Days #1 and #2, then on Days #3 and #4,  moved onward to several more communities within the Inland Empire. By committing their players and coaches to the historic event, which offered top-level coaching to over 1,500 local kids at no cost to families, the Empire Strykers of the Major Arena Soccer League (MASL) have set a new standard for community outreach at a time when it’s needed most.

The camp featured sessions designed to help youth aged 5 to 17 grow their skills, build confidence, and make lasting memories — all entirely FREE of charge. On Monday and Tuesday, sessions were held at Cabrillo Park in Upland. On Wednesday and Thursday, the event moved to South Fontana Park in Fontana, with Thursday also featuring action at Rancho Cucamonga’s Red Hill Community Park that extended into Friday. Daily sessions ran from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM PST.

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[PHOTO ESSAY & GALLERY CREDIT]: Empire Strykers, Major Arena Soccer League (MASL)

The Empire Strykers brought together a wide range of community partners for the landmark undertaking, including National CORE, the Hope through Housing Foundation, Loma Linda University Children’s Health, the County of San Bernardino, Verizon, MGR, San Antonio Regional Hospital, and other local leaders.

Among the coaches were Empire midfielder Marco Fabián — a Chivas and Mexican legend who has won Olympic gold with his country and played in two FIFA World Cups — as well as street football icon Jack Downer and Strykers Head Coach Onua Obasi, the reigning MASL Coach of the Year.

Adding to the atmosphere, ESPN LA 710AM was present to broadcast “Live” from the venue on Thursday from South Fontana Park, bringing additional visibility to one of the Inland Empire’s most ambitious youth-focused community events to date.

“This camp represents everything we believe professional sports should be about: giving back, building up young people, and bringing communities together,” said Empire Strykers Managing Partner Jeff Burum. “We’re proud to make history by inviting kids throughout the Inland Empire to join in the joy of this beautiful game — regardless of their background, circumstances, or social status.”