Nedeff tradition continues

NORTHEAST GLENDALE — Since its first running in 2005, the Leo Nedeff Memorial Tournament has steadily grown every year, attracting more attention and more teams.

The fourth installment of the popular youth soccer tournament, which was conceived as a way to honor the memory of beloved American Youth Soccer Organization Region 88 coach and administrator Leo Nedeff, was no exception.

Nearly 100 teams ranging from local to out of state participated in the three-day event, with dozens taking to the Glendale Sports Complex soccer fields — and converted softball and baseball fields as well — for championship matches under a clear sunny sky on Sunday.

For AYSO Region 88 commissioner Aldo Mascheroni, who organized the event along with tournament director Frank Bagheri, it’s no mystery why it continues to be such a big draw.

“Look around at our venue — it’s beautiful,” Mascheroni said. “These fields are immaculate, we give away a lot more stuff — T-shirts and pins and things for the coaches and referees — and it’s a much friendlier event than some of the tournaments you normally would go to.

“The idea behind the tournament is friendship because of Leo and what he meant to the program.”

Before succumbing to mesothelioma on July 11, 2004 at age 72, Nedeff was heavily involved in building up Region 88, which serves Glendale and La Crescenta.

“It’s tremendous,” said Glendale/La Crescenta Under 14 boys’ Coach Neville Periera, whose squad battled Pasadena to a 1-1 tie in its final match of the tournament on Sunday. “We’ve done tournaments throughout the year and last year too, and Glendale puts on a really good show.”

 GABRIEL RIZK covers sports. He can be reached at (818) 637-3226 or at gabriel.rizk@latimes.com.