CHAMPAIGN — Centennial soccer coach Thair Al-Saqri had twin daughters, Amar and Layal, on Oct. 10, 2023.
He had already started coaching for a few years prior to then, but that was the day his passion for growing girls’ sports developed into something even bigger.
“The most beautiful thing is girls’ sports,” Al-Saqri said. “I’m a girl dad now, so we’re trying to introduce girls’ sports to the entire community. People think about football, basketball and soccer, but it’s all boys. This is a really big community for these girls to showcase their skill and talent, and that’s why we’re really excited to showcase this big event and the talent these girls have.”
Sunday will feature the Champaign-Urbana Soccer Consortium’s third annual C-U Girls’ Soccer Showcase at Demirjian Park on the University of Illinois campus. The event, which drew around 1,000 fans last year, is sponsored by Junction FC, the UI, Parkland College, Illinois FC and Soccer Planet.
Monticello (16-2) and Danville (8-8) will get things started at 2 p.m., followed by Urbana (4-6) against Uni High (3-12-1) at 4 p.m. before Champaign Central (7-5) and Centennial (9-7-1) kick off the final match at 6 p.m.
“For the kids, it’s an awesome opportunity to play at the University of Illinois’ stadium,” Central coach Steve Whiteley said. “It’s such a unique event and environment. Lots of times, the stands are full. Add on top that you’re playing your biggest rival. It’s already a super intense game to begin with, but it’s a little extra special because you’re playing in such a unique environment. Little kids walk out with the players, and they get that superstar experience.”
For a while, it was unclear if this event would return for a third year, with the Illini hiring Katie Hultin as the women’s soccer program’s new coach this past December. Fortunately, all parties were able to get communication going soon enough to get everything scheduled in plenty of time.
A good sign for everyone involved but especially the players. Since the success of the inaugural showcase in 2023, this has been a date the athletes mark on their calendars on day one of the season. It’s an event returning players get excited to play in again, new players get wide eyes to experience it for the first time and any players with nagging injuries are motivated more than ever to do everything they possibly can to get healthy in time.
“The energy,” Monticello coach David McDaniel said about what he’s most looking forward to on Sunday. “Players and coaches feed off of it. I want our girls to enjoy the moment and represent Monticello well. Last year, the event was so well put together in front of packed stands. When we heard it was happening again this year, everyone was pumped for the opportunity, and I noticed players who were in it last year really talking it up to the new girls.”
It’ll also be a new experience for first-year Danville coach Mallory Franey, who said she’s excited to give her team another chance at playing on this stage.
“It is a great opportunity for them to grow, compete and show how much they have developed. The energy, talent and team spirit will make it a highlight of our season,” Franey said. “I am really looking forward to seeing our athletes compete at a high level and represent all the hard work they have put in this season. It is always exciting to watch them rise to the challenge, support each other and have fun doing what they love.”
Maybe the most important aspect to Sunday’s showcase is it gives the players an unforgettable experience. For some, this will be the last time they compete on this kind of stage. For those who have aspirations of playing college soccer, it’s a glimpse into their possible future.
Al-Saqri is just ready to see the looks on his players’ faces when they walk onto the field and are met with applause from the biggest crowd they’ll see all year.
“That’s the beauty of it,” Al-Saqri said. “It’s a next-level thing. The No. 1 thing I tell these girls is to enjoy it while they’re here. You’ve got to enjoy the little things.”
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