lokalgood

In 1988 I walked off a soccer field on Braddock Road….my middling high school career on the pitch completed.   21 years, and a lot of inactivity later… I stepped back onto a soccer field a few hundred yards away on the other side of Braddock Road, a new middling soccer career in front of me, thanks to the great Masters Soccer League we’re fortunate to have here in Alexandria.  Why I remain a stone’s throw away from where I went to high school all these years later is a troubling story for another day.

The headline here is this great local resource for anyone in the back half of their thirties or beyond who’s interested in getting back to team soccer in a not too intimidating way.  I.e., plenty of good players, a few great players, some new players, all jumbled up in 8 or so teams.  The level of play is good enough to get your competitive juices flowing but not so hard core that you feel totally out of your depth or likely to maim some below the waste ligament or tendon or other body part you really need to get to work, chase your kids, etc.  And the vibe overall gets better each year, roughly translating to, “hey let’s all give it a good go, get some good exercise, compete a little, but most importantly have a good time and try not to get hurt.”

Doesn’t always play out that way and every now and again someone getting a little carried away can bring down the proceeding for a bit.  And my wife and I both play so getting a babysitter for the Saturday or Sunday night games can be a hassle … but for the most part…it’s genius.   You’re on a team again, connecting every so often with skills you once had and generally having a blast.  90 minutes of no kids, no work, no anything.  Makes the $70 or so fee a bargain at twice the price.

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