It’s been over a year now since I graduated high school, which means I am no longer rushing to afternoon soccer practice or morning games. It was a bittersweet relief to close that chapter of my life, but that surely doesn’t mean I’m done playing. Since starting college, I participated in intramural league soccer as well as pick me up games. Through those, I remembered all of the struggles I went through all throughout high school, all of which every player can certainly relate to.
1. Cleat Shopping
It’s easier to pick out a pair of regular tennis shoes than these! You have to consider the all of the environments you’ll play in, if you are a speedy player or not, or if you want leather or something flashy to distract the other players.
2. Trying To Fit Everything Into Your Bag
There were many times that I struggled to pack: my ball, 2 pairs of cleats, three pairs of socks (two soccer, one ankle), pair of “mandles” (mens sandles), both uniforms, sweatpants, jacket, extra t-shirt, spandex, Under Armour, water bottle, headphones, and sports goggles (didn't wear contacts or glasses during games). Did I miss anything?
3. The God Awful Smell Of Your Soccer Bag
It’s a to-go version of a boy’s locker room. There’s everything listed above, drenched in sweat and maybe mud. Heck, there might even be a week old pair of socks down in the bottom of the back where you couldn’t see them.
4. Fartlek's, Suicides, 2 Mile Loops...
You name it, we hated it, particularly more so during summer league. Yeah, we may be playing the game that requires the most running, but does that mean we enjoy doing it without a ball at our feet? No! Especially if it was because someone said a curse word or messed up pretty badly in the last game.
5. Having 5 Different Tan Lines
line or a t-shirt tan line, but if you wear long socks to games, ankle socks to practice, and then after the game you will wear flip flops or sandals… it just adds up to a lot of different annoying shades.
6. Team "Bonding"
Otherwise known as watching your games on DVD with the rest of your team at your coach’s house. Sorry coach, discussing our mistakes and areas where we can grow aren’t ways of bonding. Not even laughing at the player who tripped over the ball. Let's just watch the USWNT instead.
And lastly…
7. Leaving Your Teammates Behind
You think you won’t miss it, all of the fighting about who had what ball or won that really intense game of World Cup, but you will. Your team is what helped you grow as a player and as a person. After years of being with them during all months but March and April, it’s hard to readjust to how you’re supposed to spend your newly found time.
