Snow is starting to melt in the Cascades and the sun in Seattle is starting to come out, teasing a summer’s worth of soccer just around the corner!
On March 31st, we got to share some of the good weather with our Cascadia friends from Comox, British Columbia and Portland. One of the unique parts of the Street Soccer experience is building connections and relationships with players in other cities. Normally that only gets to happen at the national tournaments, so we were excited to Comox and Portland to Seattle for a weekend of soccer, exploration and fun.
We kicked things off at Seattle’s Gas Works Park. A huge circle of Street Soccer players were buzzing as players paired off and got to know a new friend. Everyone had to introduce their new friend to the larger group, sharing where they were from, a place they’d like to visit, and a few interesting facts about their life. With introductions out of the way, the real fun began with a round of team charades. Three teams with a mixture of players from each city, skillfully acted out things like bobsledding, a pirate ship, and a used car dealership, while the other teams raced to guess correctly. Even though everyone was still getting to know one another, each team showed off great teamwork and creativity. We eventually broke for a lunch of Banh Mi sandwiches with a gorgeous view of the city from across Lake Union.
The team for Comox, British Columbia, Maple Pool United, was determined to have a blast and see one of the greatest cities in the United States. Always true to their motto, “If you’re playing, you’re winning” it was a special treat to have them travel the long distance to visit Street Soccer Seattle for the first time. Their adventurous and happy attitudes were fun to watch on the field, during activities, and while getting to know other players during the day. Plus, with Comox being a smaller, rural town, it was great for the city folk from Seattle and Portland to learn some new perspectives.
After a detour past the Fremont Troll, the teams headed to Street Soccer Seattle’s favorite indoor pitch in the city: Arena Sports SODO. We started with a joint practice run by Street Soccer Seattle alumni Emanuel. Emanuel led drills to work on “Build Your Triangle” with our new friends. He finished of the soccer with some friendly matches, having each team play the others.
Next was a chance for the Seattle team to show off our beautiful city. Making their way from Century Link Field (Go Sounders!), the teams walked to Pike Place Market, stopping along the way at Chinatown, Occidental Park, Pioneer Square, the waterfront, and the Gum Wall. On the waterfront players explored The Curiosity Shop, listened and danced along with street performers, and enjoyed the view of the city, water, and Seattle’s Wheel.
This wasn’t the first time Street Soccer Portland had come to visit Seattle. Over the past five years, we’ve coordinated a number of opportunities to build ties between our two city programs. From joint practices, to lunch at Rancho Bravo, to Cap Hill Soccer Jam, to team building under the Space Needle, it’s been great for our teams to get to know each other and have some familiar friends at the SSUSA Cup. We finished off the day relaxing at Coach Chris’s house, hanging out, BBQing and eating hamburgers in the rare Seattle sun.
