YOUTH SPORTS: Local soccer camp to feature professional players, coaches

SANDPOINT — Monarch Mountain Training, a local individual-centric soccer training program, will be hosting an advanced youth soccer clinic July 1-3 and July 5-7 at 199 Kootenai Bay Road (old Humbird Mill Park location) and will feature four different professional soccer players and coaches this year.

Evan McNeley, who started MMT three years ago and has hosted various other soccer camps in Sandpoint since 2005, will be hosting this year’s camp once again. The former Sandpoint High head coach played 18 professional indoor soccer seasons and is a current Major Arena Soccer League player for the Tacoma Stars. 

McNeley is a native of Everett, Washington, who went on to play in college at both Seattle University and Oregon State University. At OSU, he met local legend Brian Farber and was eventually introduced to and fell in love with Sandpoint … hence why he never left. McNeley has won three Major Indoor Soccer League championships with the Monterrey La Raza (2009-10) and Milwaukee Wave (2011-12, 2012-13), also playing in San Diego and New Jersey. Since 2014, he has played for the MASL’s San Diego Shockers, Tacoma Stars, and the Ontario Fury, racking up a total of 39 goals and 32 assists.

“MMT is an avenue for those looking to further their game on and off the field, and to achieve a healthy lifestyle through soccer,” McNeley said. “This camp is an experience that is tough to get anywhere else in the U.S., in my opinion. The level of coaches that I am bringing in are top-level athletes. These are people that kids should look up to and idolize … they’ll be learning from some of the best. It’s a unique opportunity to be seen and coached by these guys.”

Other coaches/players include:

Chris Toth (attending both camps)

Accolades: 16 professional indoor soccer seasons; current Tacoma Stars goalkeeper (2,150 career saves and 100 wins all-time); four-time MASL Goalkeeper of the Year, goalkeeper for U.S. Beach Soccer National Team; has played in four FIFA World Cups; 100 caps for U.S. National Team; ranked as 2023 top 50 beach soccer player in the world.

Alessandro Canale (attending July 5-7)

Accolades: In his fourth season as a forward for the Tacoma Stars (40 goals and 21 assists all-time); played collegiate soccer at the University of California at San Diego; youngest member of the 2013 U.S. National Team at the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup; has played in four FIFA Beach World Cups and has 96 caps and 72 goals for national team all-time; 2024 Beach World Cup leading scorer for U.S.; ranked as 2023 top 50 beach soccer player in the world.

Mike Ramos (attending July 1-3)

Accolades: 10 professional soccer seasons; current Tacoma Stars forward (130 goals and 71 assists all-time); played collegiately for Walla Walla CC (2009-11), Seattle University (2011-12), and Whitworth University (2014-15); drafted in the third round of the 2015 MLS SuperDraft by Toronto FC, but did not sign and instead played with the Kitsap Pumas (2014-16); joined Puerto Rican national team in 2016; led the Stars in goals during the 2019-2020 season and was named 2020 MASL All-Star; 

The clinic set to be held July 1-3 is for athletes ages nine to 12 and will be from 9 to 12 p.m. The clinic set to be held July 5-7 is for athletes ages 12 to 15 and will be from 10 to 1 p.m. The cost to register is $175. Spots are limited. It is recommended that athletes bring sunscreen, cleats, shin guards, a white shirt, and snacks. The clinic will provide water. To request an age limit exception, contact MCNELEYEVAN@GMAIL.COM.

To register for either camp, visit go.netcamps.com/org/2645-mmt