For the first time in club history, Stockton Cargo Soccer Club brought postseason soccer home, hosting their inaugural USL W League Western Conference Semi-Final on the Fourth of July at St. Mary’s High School.
According to the Stockton Cargo SC, the team entered the playoffs undefeated (10-0-2) and as Champions of the USL W NorCal Conference. They faced off against Santa Clarita Blue Heat FC, champions of the SoCal Conference, following a semi-final between FC Olympia and Utah United.
Head Coach Marek Albert, said hosting the semifinal was a significant undertaking but a rewarding one. “We didn’t initially plan to bid—it’s a lot to take on, especially on the Fourth of July. But we knew how important this was for Stockton. This city deserves to see what it’s capable of.”
Albert praised the team’s consistency and resilience. “It’s not just about trying to win. It’s about executing what we’ve trained for. If you do that, the wins come.”
Striker Hannah Diaz echoed the team’s confidence. “To be honest, this is what we expected,” she said. “We had a lot of returning players and built on last year. We’ve kept the roster small and tight-knit, and that’s worked in our favor.”
When asked what fans could expect during the playoff run, Diaz didn’t hesitate. “Relentlessness. Most of our wins come late. We push each other to the final whistle. We play pretty football—and it’s fun to watch.”
(Video by Daniel Garza/Stocktonia)
Tickets are listed at $10 for adults, $5 for youth under 16, and $5 for parking, available at stocktonsc.com.
“This is about more than just soccer,” Albert added. “It’s about proving what Stockton is really about—heart, talent, and pride. And this team represents that every time they take the field.”