the 4th star

After ignoring a 25 year layoff, with three of those spent begging to play, I have decided to make a triumphant return to the beautiful game. In a stunning act of charity, the Crescentwood Saturday Soccer Club has done the unthinkable and allowed me to play with them in the Winnipeg Soccer Division this summer. If I can score one goal this year, I’d be pretty happy. Judging from my inconsistent play, my teammates would be equally ecstatic, too. Here’s the weekly update:

Another game, another lesson learned from the hopeful forward who has no idea what he’s doing out there. First to the big picture, where the mighty CSSC (4-2-3) jumped out to a quick two goal lead only to watch the South End Casuals (4-3-3) take things a little more serious and tie the match before the first half was in the books. I may be speaking out of school here, but a 10 minute lapse did us in again. Seems to be of our own doing, too. No worries. It will comes. Further salt in the wound comes in the form of knowing that our opponent played with just 10 players. That stings, yes, but I look at it this way: They played hard, knowing they needed to pick up the slack. If they had a full squad, perhaps the South Enders play it a little more Casual, and the CSSC prevail.

Also still in its theory stage is this crazy notion that I will score a goal before I die. Unlike previous close chances where I still am trying to set the ball on a tee, Tuesday’s opportunity for glory proved to be even more cruel.

Here’s the deal: I’m out on the right side. The defender in check has already had some issues with balls bouncing over his head, so he’s creeping up make sure any errant balls can be taken before the rock-hard turf comes into play. An offering comes out to my side, towards the middle of the field. Running as fast as I can, I get past the flat footed defender and find myself with a chance for a shot in the box. Moments before the defender makes a desperation slide, the ball finally settles for me and I take my shot. The keeper is off the line so I hit a hard one over him with my right foot, thinking it will fade and fall under the bar. It does eventually drop, but not soon enough. Off the bar, straight back into the play. I smack my hands together and run back to position as the game moves back towards the middle of the pitch. So close, but so far away.

A message to our stations: That will be it for the CSSC updates for the next two weeks. I’m going to Montana on the weekend to gaze up at the Big Sky and collect my thoughts…