If you can’t find an open soccer field in the Wasatch Back this week, or have noticed an unseasonal uptick in traffic, that’s likely because of the Park City Extreme Cup.  The expansive youth soccer tournament has once again taken over the area, returning for the 23rd year, featuring 463 te ams in age groups U3-U19. While a lot of teams are locally based, some traveled from other states to be here.  Cup play, which includes games in in Park City, Heber, Oakley and Kamas, will run through Saturday.  “We are welcoming the Mountain West soccer community to Park City,” said Park City Soccer Club General Manager Anthony DiCicco. “We’re excited to get to show off our community and the quintessential Park City hospitality.” DiCicco appreciates the area’s patience with any added traffic the event causes.  The general manager is coaching his club’s U13 and U17 girls teams this week. While running around the area to do so, he has also logged some time as a referee.  Families watch from the sidelines at Francis City Park during the Park City Extreme Cup tournament which took over the Wasatch Back this week. Credit: Jonathan Herrera/Park Record Cora Reddan is in her ninth year running the cup for the club.  “Pretty much every field in town has games on it,” DiCicco said. “The direct impact for the club is a six-figure infusion into our scholarship fund. It’s what allows us to provide playing opportunities and access on a year-round basis to a huge number of kids. Over 100 players are beneficiaries of the Park City scholarship fund.” DiCicco sees the cup as a good way for his club’s teams to evaluate their games. It also serves as good high school season preparation for his girls teams, whose high school season begins next week.  The Park City Soccer Club U17 girls team fell in its second-to-last match of the tournament to a team from Idaho on Friday morning at the fields in Quinn’s Junction.  “It’s really fun out here playing the Extreme Cup,” said Park City girls U17 player Stella Arend. “We’ve been on a losing streak so far, so it’d be great to win this last game and get some goals.” Despite the loss, Park City’s players left the pitch Friday with smiles.  Also leaving the fields at Quinn’s Junction with smiles, and a win, Friday were the Vipers FC from Ogden. A couple of Vipers FC players said they were having tons of fun at the cup, from winning games on the field to swimming together at their team’s hotel. The same players had their parents and grandparents join them in Park City for the week.  Mika Martinez of City SC Utah South shoots and scores in his team’s 8-2 win on Friday morning. Credit: Jonathan Herrera/Park Record Mika Martinez, 8, came from Saratoga Springs for the cup alongside his parents, Yarhtib Martinez and Catherine Herrera, to play with his City SC Utah South U9 team. The team tied their first game Thursday and won their second game Friday morning in convincing fashion at the Francis City Park fields in Kamas.  “It feels amazing,” Mika said. “I’m very proud of myself that I’m in a club and get to play soccer here in the Park City tournament. I’ve always dreamed of being a professional soccer player. My team has been working hard to win this tournament.” Yahrtib believes the cup is extremely well organized. He’s enjoyed watching his son pursue his passion for the sport.  “It really is appreciated when cities or valleys put on tournaments,” Yahrtib said. “It creates an opportunity for all these kids to come out. If Park City didn’t have a soccer cup, then we wouldn’t be here. … It’s been fun taking the back roads and just enjoying the country and then coming to the soccer field to watch some good soccer.” For any further information on the cup, see parkcityextremecup.com. The Park City Extreme Cup runs through Saturday in the Wasatch Back. Credit: Jonathan Herrera/Park Record The post Large youth soccer tournament returns to the Wasatch Back appeared first on Park Record. ...read more read less