What amazes me is that everybody, at one point or another in their lives, forgets to stop and smell the proverbial roses... or sniff the fire hydrant as the case may be. Everybody gets so absorbed by the ritualistic daily routines of vanity and prestige, that we forget that human interaction is really the only thing worth fighting for. Family and friends are the most important things in life. When we have neither, nothing else can be substituted. Not wealth, not a big house, or a shiney car, or a even a friendly dog. Humans must have human contact in order to grow and thrive in this world. So how does this apply to soccer?
We forget to enjoy the game. We get so distracted by trivial things like meaningless statistics, and dreams of fame, that we don't remember that soccer provides an opportunity for 22 people to share an event that can be really very fulfilling.
We build walls between one another by isolating ourselves with sets and subsets like we were a bunch of mathematical problems. We make teams, and clubs, and divisions, and regions, etc. A soccer player is judged by how many goals were scored, or how many shots were blocked, or how many shots were saved, or how many fouls were committed. We get reduced to numbers. "Mario is a great player. He is 5'10", 150 pounds, wears number 9, but he used to wear number 7. He scored 29,000 goals this year, assisted 13,005, blocked 39, saved 23, converted 12 out of 12 penalty kicks, and at the ripe old age of 17, he's only played soccer for the last 3 years." Yuck. Who cares?
I want to hear that Mario laughs everytime he plays. He enjoys passing the ball to his friends, and hangs out with the other team after the game. He has enjoyed every game he has ever played in and would never pass up the opportunity to help out his teammates by teaching them tips to improve their game.
Why is it so difficult to remove ourselves from the competition of sport? I could talk for the next thirty pages about the competitive spirit of humans, and their need to feel accepted by being better at something than other people. It would be boring and better suited for a dissertation on human psychology and sport. Instead, I'm going to try to explain to you what makes the game of soccer fun without it having to be reduced to something that looks like computer vomit.
In the morning the sun comes up. While laying in bed, an overwhelming anxiety begins to fill your soul as you look forward to the 11 o'clock game at the park. The day is beautiful, the park is sunny and warm. You can hear dogs barking, birds chirping and children playing. Taking a seat under a shady tree, you get out your soccer bag and put on your shinguards and cleats. The grass is still wet from the morning dew.
In the distance you see your teammates and your opponents beginning to arrive at the field. You talk about what you did last night, and what else is new in your life. After a few moments, a warm-up game begins and you start to kick the ball around with your teammates. Your muscles feel warm as you stretch out and prepare to play the match.
The whistle blows and the adrenaline pumps. Your heartrate begins to increase as the blood starts flowing faster through your veins. You really feel alive now as your awareness increases on the field. You watch the play to see who is open and who is making the best run. The ball hits your foot and you watch it split the defenders and roll right into the path of an advancing teammate. The shot makes a dull thud followed by a ringing sound as the ball hits the back of the net.
After the game you sit around and talk about your favorite plays of the game. You are surrounded by friends. You laugh and smile and drink back your favorite beverage. Later you return home and take a cool shower.
This is soccer. This is what is enjoyable. It is a social environment. It is a chance to be with friends. It is a chance to exercise. It is addictive. It is healthy. It is life.
Ciao for now.