14TH CITY OF ROSES SOCCER TOURNEY KICKS OFF TODAY

Cape Girardeau will be alive with the sound of booted balls and cheering soccer moms and dads this weekend.

Fifty-seven teams comprised of nearly 900 players will converge on the city for the 14th annual Zimmer Radio Group City of Roses select youth soccer tournament.

Club teams from five states -- Missouri, Tennessee, Indiana, Illinois and Mississippi -- will be represented. Play begins at 8 a.m. today at Shawnee Park; some matches will also be played at the Southeast Missouri State University intramural fields.

Age groups range from under-10 to under-14. The last championship matches in each group should begin by 5 p.m. Sunday.

Among the participants are about 10 teams from Cape Girardeau and Jackson, said tournament organizer Howard Aslinger.

"It's going to be some good soccer," Aslinger said.