THE reason I love this game

So, a lot of posts have been around my playing, trial and tribulations, observations, musings, ramblings et al...  But this story - and I hope you find it interesting and inspiring - because it truly brings the essence of this game to you in a way that I truly believe transcends the game.

And so we begin...

My son and I play pick up soccer together whenever the team dynamic is one where the adults are not so caught up on the competitive aspect to allow children to play as well.  On this particular morning we went to play with a family friendly group at our local pitch on a misty Sunday morning.  As luck would have it, the pitch was "closed for maintenance" so we were just kicking the ball around.  There was also a hispanic pick up group that played regularly on this pitch so some of the people showed up and saw the same dilema.  The guy who came out didn't speak much english but we were able to converse enough to determine that there was another game going on at a nearby pitch and I asked if we could join that game.  He said he didn't run the game but we could follow them to the other pitch.  As we were driving to the game it began to rain (not hard, but steady).

We arrived at the other location and we were the only non-hispanic players at the game.  So, out of 22 players, 20 we were the only 2 non-hispanic players (for anyone who needed help with the math).  It was a little weird walking onto the pitch to warm up but nothing uncomfortable.  We kicked around and one of the kids even commented to my son that he "liked his cool cleats" before we started playing.  We started playing (with my son and I playing on the same team) and it was no issue that we were non-hispanic.  The game was close and the side we were playing against had an awesome keeper.  The game was close and I believe the score was 3-1 against our side when one of the players passed a long pass to my son and he was able to score a goal.  The player that passed it to him grabbed him around the shoulder and told him it was "not just a goal but a GOALISSIMO!!" and everyone (from our side cheered and laughed).  Later in the game I was fortunate enough to run in on a crossing pass and score as well to tie the game.  At this point it was raining harder and everyone was soaked.  Shortly thereafter the rain became too much and we called the game.  Everyone was smiling and shaking hands as we left.  In that moment, as we were leaving, my son was smiling ear to ear jogging to the car. I've never felt so happy to have been a part of something that was not scripted or planned but one of the best experiences I've ever had playing this game.  Regardless of your background, origin, age or gender this game unites people in ways that you can't imagine.

In conclusion, I can only say, "IF YOU PLAY, YOU KNOW!"