Iowa Soccer Association hosted its 2025 Copa Clásico last weekend, drawing youth soccer teams and supporters from across the region. Held at two state-of-the-art venues in the TBK Bank Sports Complex and the Forest Grove Sports Complex in Bettendorf, the tournament was widely expanded this year to include 126 teams, providing even more winter playing opportunities for youth athletes in the state. Further, the 2025 Copa Clásico served as an all-inclusive event for the soccer community, with participating teams representing a variety of youth soccer associations such as US Youth Soccer, US Club Soccer, AYSO and USSSA Soccer.
“We could not be more excited following a record-breaking event, with the expansion to two facilities and nearly doubling the team entries from the previous year,” said Mike Wilson, Member Services Program Director at Iowa Soccer Association. “We are grateful for the opportunity to bring soccer communities together to make the game better. We hosted 126 teams representing 30 clubs, generating 252 games, and provided over 1,500 youth soccer players an opportunity to compete across 23 unique divisions.”
With limited access to quality winter competition, the Copa Clásico fills a critical gap in the youth soccer calendar. The format, featuring 7v7 for younger age groups and 6v6 for older teams, offers a dynamic experience for each of the participants. Teams in age groups ranging from 9U to 19U took part in the event, with each side guaranteed four games over two days. The format of the matches included a 35-minute running clock with no halftime, ensuring an exciting flow of game activity.
“We want to send out a big thanks to Visit QC and the TBK Bank Sports Complex for always being such great partners and helping us host memorable soccer experiences,” said Craig Winger, Chief Member Services Officer of Iowa Soccer Association. “The Copa Clásico is a unique small-sided event that demands more touches, finesse and creativity, leading to more goals and tons of fun. A huge shoutout to the clubs, coaches, teams, referees and parents who show up and make it all possible!”
Beyond the field, the Copa Clásico was a celebration of community and connection. The event brought together players, families and teams from across the region, creating a vibrant atmosphere that extended beyond the sidelines. Copa Clásico is open to all US Soccer Federation affiliates, further underscoring its mission of bringing the soccer community together. Tournament sponsors included TBK Bank Sports Complex, Forest Grove Sports Complex, VisitQC and SportsQC, SEQL App and Fine Designs, all of which played a crucial role in making the event such a great success.
The final whistle blew on the 2025 Iowa Copa Clásico on Sunday evening, marking the end of a weekend filled with competitive matches and meaningful connections. For young athletes, it was a valuable opportunity to develop their skills and showcase their talent, while families and spectators enjoyed the chance to support their teams and engage with the broader soccer community.
“Copa Clásico is a phenomenal event that brings together kids registered with various soccer clubs belonging to different organizations who otherwise may not have the chance to play each other,” said Dan Cataldi, Chief Executive Officer of the Iowa Soccer Association. “With only about half of the teams participating being Iowa Soccer members, it was great to see the entire soccer community come together and support a fun event in the middle of a cold Iowa winter. With events like Copa Clásico, Iowa Soccer remains committed to our mission of Providing Soccer Opportunities.”
Prior to the competition on the field this past weekend, the 2025 Copa Clásico officially kicked off on Friday night with activities that included ODP regional training. Additionally, a referee training and development session was held with the support of the Iowa Referee Committee (IRC), featuring more than 30 new officials receiving guidance from referee coaches and mentors.
“Every great referee starts with the first step. Last Friday at TBK in Bettendorf, we laid the foundation for tomorrow’s game-changers,” said Hidajet Tica, Iowa Soccer Referee & Sportsmanship Director. “Grassroots clinics are where passion meets precision and every whistle counts. In the final count, we had 31 participants, and what is more important to mention is that we had a great mixture of youth and adults. This could not have been done without the support of the IRC SDI, Alec Clark, who organized the instructors for the evening and brought three top-notch presenters. This is the beginning of a great partnership between Iowa Soccer and IRC for the eastern part of the state, having a vision for a brighter future for our soccer community.”
Iowa Soccer Association is committed to building upon this successful tradition of the Copa Clásico, providing players and teams with additional opportunities to compete and grow in the sport. Events like the Copa Clásico highlight the strength and enthusiasm of the Iowa soccer community, setting the stage for continual development of the sport for many years to come.
