SEATTLE, WA—Westside United packed their bags again this January and headed down to Las Vegas for their annual competition in the King’s Cup Tournament. Things were very different this trip, though. The over-40 club was also playing in the memory of teammate Alex Sigman, who was killed last year in a traffic accident.

“Our traveling Westside United team went to Las Vegas again with a heavy heart over our fallen teammate Alex Sigman,” Jason Rojo tells goalWA.net. “Our goal was to reach the semi-finals of the 2017 King’s Cup Tournament. We achieved our goal but sadly lost 1-0 on a disputed goal to a quality side from California.”

Westside started off the tourney with a come from behind 2-1 win with second half goals from Jeff Argudo and Aaron Harrington. Goalkeeper Jack Fehrenz made a key stop on a one v. one late in the game to preserve the win.

Westside won its second match 3-1 in a hotly contested match with their opponents getting 3 red cards and multiple yellows for both teams. Jeff Argudo once again led the line with 2 free kick goals.

Staying Hot In Vegas

“Sunday morning brought us a clash with the top of the group team. We prevailed once more with a 1-0 win on a Josh Turpin free kick,” Jason says. “I made a crucial stop on a one v. one breakaway right at the stroke of halftime.” Fehrenz closed out the second half for Westside’s first clean sheet of the tournament.

The quarterfinals were against a Riverside, California team that started off strong, but were dispatched with 2 quick goals from a Josh Turpin penalty and a breakaway goal from Joel Argudo. Westside clamped down the defensive pressure to ensure a second consecutive shutout.

Rojo and his mates saw their momentum stopped in the semis. “Sadly, the dream died in the semifinal against yet another California side,” he says. “A contested offside goal was put in off the post and the Westside boys crashed out of the tourney.”

Saying Goodbye to Alex

Then it was time to do something that had been on the minds of all of the Westside United team members.

“After the final match, our fallen brother Alex was commemorated with a cold beer, and a small portion of his ashes were spread under the shade of a Mesquite Tree overlooking the fields at Kellogg-Zaher park in Las Vegas, so he will aways be a part of our yearly trip to Vegas,” Jason says.

Westside United was formed in 2000 by Jack Fehrenz, Joel Argudo and Jeff Argudo. Westside United has competed in the King’s Cup since 2010 as well as GSSL and Starfire leagues.

Westside United complete roster:

John (Jack) Fehrenz #1

Jeff Argudo #7

Joel Argudo #12

Aaron Griffith #19

Kevin Chapko #15

Aaron Harrington #14

Bill Coughlin #4

Sean Patten #9

Wayne Gordon #13

Jason Rojo #74

Chris Barney #6

Jonah Randolph #3

Josh Turpin #2

Shane See #22

Tony Luong #20

Matt Carnell #5

Chris Blonk #21

Martin Misaghi #8

Claudio Donoso #11

Eric Dahlberg #17

In Memoriam – Alex Sigman #10