SAI - Soccer Association of Independence

06/09/2026

The World Cup excitement kicks off soon!!! Check out this free community event sponsored by Independence Parks and Recreation.

04/23/2026

Looking for the possibility of a door bell or home security camera in the area of 17000-17112 E. Salisbury that may pick up the sports practice field across the street; or perhaps even an eye witness to the field vandals that have struck again, leaving ruts and holes where children showed up expecting to have soccer practice last night. Several teams are having to shift and find alternate solutions for the rest of their season as we try to accommodate for this.

We often deal with the damage of dirt bikes or ATV's that are interfering with youth soccer and creating dangerous conditions for fields that are already in much need of restoration after years of general use, as well as public abuse. There are game fields that have been unplayable for several seasons, partly due to damage from this behavior. That few minutes of fun and thrill for someone is hurting many kids. We are very worried about the future of our league for the 750 kids we serve in our community if we don't have safe fields to play the game they love. ❤️⚽️

If your camera happened to catch anything from Monday evening to Wednesday evening (4/20-4/22), or if you witnessed this, please reach out to IPD, Parks & Rec, or even SAI, we will pass the info along.

*Negative, unrelated comments or general Independence bashing and unkind words are not necessary.

02/24/2026

Sponsorship Opportunity .....

01/13/2026

It's time to register for Spring Soccer!
www.saisoccer.org

11/27/2025

07/24/2025

Looking for several more kids ages 2020, 2021 or 2022 to complete a roster for the fall season. Sign up at www.saisoccer.org

We also have room for 2011, 2012 and 2013 players.

Youth Soccer League - Independence, Missouri

06/25/2025

Get signed up for fall season! Deadline June 30th

02/07/2025

Looking for a couple of 3-5 year olds who might like to play spring soccer. We've already made 9 NEW teams just for this age group for spring and we have another person who would like to coach. Would love to fill in one more roster. Birthyears 2020 & 2021 are perfect but 2019 or older 2022 works as well.

Also could use a few more 2010, 2011, 2012 kids to add to teams in the older age group.

Down to the final details so would need to register ASAP (this weekend).

Youth Soccer League - Independence, Missouri

01/06/2025

Spring Registration is OPEN! ⚽️
Sign up at www.saisoccer.org

09/05/2024

Robert S. "Bobby" Tatum
January 16, 1970 — August 31, 2024
SAI Board President & Referee Assignor/Mentor

We are devastated and heartbroken by the loss of a great leader, mentor, coach, colleague, and friend. Bobby was truly a pillar of the soccer community in Independence. With a National D License and more than 25 years of coaching experience Bobby was a founding member of the Jabali Futbol Club and coached many Jabali teams over the years. A goalkeeper himself, Bobby began coaching soccer to spend more time with his daughters. His love for the game and the relationships he developed with players and their families kept him going. His philosophy was to not only teach players soccer, but to develop them as young adults and make sure they knew that there is more to life than winning and scoring goals.

Bobby became a board member for the Soccer Association in 2010. He first served in the capacity of Coaching Coordinator. He accepted the title of President in 2012, later adding Referee Assigning to his duties as well. While the board grew much smaller over the years, he filled in on additional duties to not only keep the league going, but growing as well. He was passionate about the game of soccer and truly cared about this organization and making sure that youth soccer was available here in Independence. His dedication, time and efforts will forever be appreciated by the hundreds of lives that he impacted through SAI in the way of players, referees, coaches, and those of us who had the privilege to work with him on this mission as a collaborator and friend. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family at this very difficult time.

Service Information:
Saturday, September 7th, 2024 - Speaks Chapel off 39th Street in Independence, Missouri.
Visitation will begin at 1:00PM. Service will begin at 3:00PM.
There will also be a Celebration of Life on Saturday, September 14th, 2024 at 4:00PM at Blue Springs Elks Lodge in Blue Springs, Missouri.

Photo Credit: Joe Dunning Thank you for capturing these memories of Bobby doing what he loved to do at our soccer fields. ⚽️