Who actually plays soccer?? What level or up to what level?? I was always hounded by my dad to play but chose to play everything else since he was always on my ass about it!! But I wish I started earlier - it came natural to me. I first played organized soccer my Senior year of high school.. I tried out for the team as a keeper, made the team as a starter, then got bumped down when the returning keeper somehow "had the grades" all of sudden!? Pissed me off to say the least, so I went to play club/rec soccer & 6v6 outdoor. Tried out for my community college (which was pretty good too), made the team, but couldnt take the demand of time they required! Full-time student + 2hrs practice M-F, gone 2 weekends a month, AND had to work as much as possible since I didnt qualify for financial aid. Sucked that I couldnt dedicate the time to play. Did get to go to Amsterdam in 2003 with a CC Soccer team Alumni group to play in the Haarlem Cup. Played against Telstar U21, Telstar Reserves, Haarlem FC, a team from Heemstede, and the highlight of the trip - played against AZ Alkmaar reserves. They kicked our ass in front of about 2000 people, but it was fuckin awesome to say the least! Got to visit the Ajax arena and watch Ajax train, then got to meet a bunch of the players including Wesley fuckin Sneijder! Few others too. Been playing 11v11 and indoor since then, never took it more serious than that in CC. I prefer indoor though since the ball never stops and you get plenty more touches than in 11v11.
I stopped playing when I was like 6-7. Picked it up winter of 09 and played since. Get to play consistently 2-3 times a week all spring through fall in pick-up games at the University's recreational fields in pick-up games. Got asked to play on an intramural team with some of the guys that randomly met for the pick up games and a week before the first game I tore my MCL. So, that was almost 2 weeks ago. Our 2nd game is tomorrow night and I'm, obviously, still not able to play. I'm pretty disappointed because I was excited to get to play some organized soccer with refs. It'll be the most legit game I've had since I was 7 sans one game of fraternity intramurals last September when I tore my other MCL and meniscus. I had just gotten back to 100% and started to feel confident in my game and now this shit happens (in a non-athletic incident). I have kinda fallen in love with playing it though cause it's a great way to stay in shape and it's easy to get a game together. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DciHPmkNOgE