Team Viña Real usually scores its goals against other St. Helena soccer squads. But this time, the team scored a goal for all adult soccer league players who call St. Helena home.

The team joined vintner Carl Doumani and members of Voluntarios de la Comunidad last weekend to inaugurate a field exclusively for

St. Helena soccer teams. This field of soccer dreams is temporary, but the city is working on a permanent soccer site at Wappo Park. Construction of that field may not be complete for two or more years, officials said.

In the past, Viña Real and other teams would practice at St. Helena High School and Meily Park, often giving way to youth and school leagues or running into complaints from residents.

Without a reliable place to practice, Viña Real coach Ernesto Perez and fellow soccer players linked with Voluntarios de la Comunidad, a grass-roots group of Latin advocates from St. Helena. They spoke at several St. Helena Multicultural Committee meetings and appeared before the St. Helena City Council in March to explain their problem.

Jaime Rubio, Rodolfo Morales and Salvador Perez eventually convinced the City Council to approve the use of Wappo Park for soccer. But the City Council had stated that from the time the first permit was complete to the time the referee blew the first whistle at Wappo Park would take two or three years, Rubio said.

In the meantime, the soccer buffs would be sidelined. At a City Council meeting, Doumani, who operates Quixote Winery, learned about the plight of the soccer teams, he said.

“I listened to the thing and the city wasn’t going to be able to do something for a while,” Doumani said. “I got this piece of property, and if it’s temporary we might be able to do it.”

Doumani contacted Jaime Rubio and the Voluntarios, and showed them Doumani’s land, just north of St. Helena High School and on the other side of Highway 29.

The field is 375 by 185 feet and is next to the office of veterinarian David Gold and property owned by Bill Phelps. Doumani said he approached his neighbors about the soccer field and they both gave their blessings.

“It’s important,” Rubio said. “They can have a place to practice where no one can make them leave.”

Two weeks ago, the planned soccer pitch was filled with vegetation, grass and brush. After getting approval from the city, Doumani bulldozed the area and brought in the soccer goals and portable bathrooms. Everyone was ready for the games to begin.

“It really was something that needed to be done,” Doumani said. “They should have a place to play soccer. It’s just great to see them playing.”

Last Sunday, the soccer field was crowded with eager soccer players, running up and down the field and doing drills. At one point, Doumani took to the field and scored a goal.

“We are very appreciative of the field,” Perez said before taking the field with his team. “Everyone will be able to use it.”

The Voluntarios said they were especially grateful of Doumani and the city, and presented Doumani with a plaque in recognition of his generosity.

Doumani named the field in honor of his girlfriend, Pam Hunter — a public relations specialists and operator of the firm Studio 707 — in recognition of the positive work she has done through the years, he said.

St. Helena Mayor Del Britton, Councilwoman Catarina Sanchez and St. Helena Police Chief Monty Castillo joined Viña Real, Doumani and the Voluntarios at the event.