The soccer tournament is an opportunity to reach out to children at risk.

“Once you join a gang, whether you actually join it by getting jumped in, or whether you are an associate hanging out with them, they will own you at some point. You will not be making decisions on your own,” said Sergeant Rick Rodriguez, who is with the Arlington County Police.

And tournament organizers say that message resonates with young people.

“I think it is a really good message because sometimes teens are dragged into gangs and all things. But that is not the right choice, and it is hard to get your way out,” said sixteen year-old Rodrigo Neiro, who is originally from El Salvador.

Gang Task Force Coordinator Robert Vilchez is encouraged by the success he has seen over the last seven years. But he says gang prevention is a never- ending battle and that half the battle is simply reaching out to children at risk.