decided a proactive stance needed to be taken on solving the dilemma.
With the help of an home depot employee who probably sounded like
Speedy Gonzalez' 2nd cousin, Ray went out and bought PVC piping, nets
and corners pieces. Only after first assembly did he realize the
genius behind his actions.
It should be said that I would never have felt any passion for "the
beautiful game" without Ray acting as a catalyst. Sure, video games
and Fox Soccer Channel, who is not paying for this endorsement, helped
paved the way, but only after someone else blazed the trail. I cannot
say I understood the game until this past year much less appreciated
it. I was always playing baseball or basketball as a kid, good old
"American" past times.
But now, in my 26th year, in hundred degree weather, on a gorgeous
SoCal morning, I find myself with twenty other guys playing a game
that I am not all that good at.
Ray posted an ad on craigslist that said something like:
Average Joes!!
Wanna play soccer without paying league fees, without wasting gas
looking for a pick up game, and without wondering if there will be
enough players?
Come join us saturday mornings at Van Nuys park and don't be
disappointed.
The first week the ad was up, a couple responses were received but no
one showed up. The glory of having goals is only so grand when you've
built as many goals as you have players.
By the next week though, the list had grown to the point of abundance.
I missed the next week due to illness, but heard an earful from the
participants at work. "it was so awesome! I can't wait for next week!"
wrote one of my coworkers.
Amidst all this, everyone at work had been transfixed on the European
Championship. Since there were matches on pratically every day in
June, our cravings to play had been egged on by seeing some of the
best players in the world go head to head. Spain came out in top, but
I was a bit torn. I've got both German and Spanish blood in my veins
so I would have been happy with either outcome.
This past weekend we met at the park and had a great game with about
20 other players from different backgrounds and ethnicities. It's odd
meeting guys with passion for the game that converse amongst
themselves in Swahili or Russian, but one can assume that it is a
testament to the diversity in both LA and in the game itself.
Most people work their 9-5 monotonous rat race jobs looking forward to
Fridays. But this game has become the focal point of my weekend, and
I'm sure this is true for others. Especially Mr. Peña.
Now if only I could get Jay out to one of these games...
[ed. note: Actually Posted by "The Hooded Warrior Can't Write For Shit"]
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