1. Your teammates are forever.

Let's face it, your teammates always have your back. Through the good times, the bad, and the ugly, they go through the majority of the struggles that you do. Keep your friends close, and your teammates closer (or if you're lucky, you'll have both in one person).

2. Pushing yourself to new limits pays off.

Maybe it's pushing yourself a little harder during conditioning, or doing some extra work on your own. After a while, you'll start to appreciate your decisions and see that it's contributing to self-success.

3. Always check your soccer bag for your shin guards and cleats before leaving the house.

We all have heard horror stories of forgetting shin guards and having to use an extra sock, cardboard, a flipflop, etc for a replacement. Forgetting cleats is even worse.

4. Soccer tans are forever.

Own it. Who knows, maybe one day you'll miss it.

5. You can't be on top without knowing what it's like to be on the bottom.

Champions aren't born as champions. You have to start somewhere, and it will be a roller coaster. There are times you'll hate the sport, dread going to practice, and wish you were skipping your 7 a.m. game on a Sunday. However, the lows don't seem so low once you rise above.

For the many years I've played soccer, it hasn't always been easy. Although I am incredibly thankful for the sport and the people I've met, I wouldn't change a thing about it.