I'm just saying . . .

Research shows value of soccer. Link here

Blue Bombers are #1

Pictured above is a group of 3rd graders called "The Blue Bombers," a soccer team fromin Takoma Park, MD
The team has been together since the boys were in kindergarten - the
fall of 2005. Also pictured is their coach from the beginning,Trevor
Alleyne. In the words of the parents, Trevor is, " a wonderful coach and leader."

The Blue Bomber collected $160 for Street Soccer USA and became the first soccer team in the nation to collect money for the homeless. We salute our brothers and sisters in the beautiful game, The Blue Bombers. Soccer teaches many lessons, and helps with our personal development. Most of all, it helps point to our common humanity. Thank you, bombers for helping others access the power of the beautiful game to change their lives.

You are the first team in the country to a Street Soccer USA, Soccer For Social Change thumbs up! If you can make it to DC in July, we'd love to recognize you at our annual Street Soccer USA Cup, July 31-August 2nd at Washington Kastles Stadium in downtown, DC. Keep in touch!

CALLE / Street Soccer USA

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Street Soccer USA and CALLE to create sellable street art.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – May 19, 2009 - Street Soccer USA and CALLE have announced a partnership to create limited edition pieces of street art available to the public. Street Soccer USA, a non-profit organization that empowers the homeless and impoverished youth and adults to improve their lives through sports are using the program to create revenues for the upcoming Street Soccer USA Cup (July 31 – August 2) in Washington, D.C. CALLE is a street wear brand with a unique niche in street soccer based in Los Angeles . . .
The street art will initially be available on tee shirts but there are plans to expand to headwear and other accessories as part of the SSUSA line and as the partnership strengthens and the demand so dictates. The co-op is supported by Shep Messing, CEO of Global Sport Group and active advisory board member for CALLE. “It is very exciting when two great organizations, CALLE and Street Soccer USA, with a vision to help the less fortunate unite in their strengths and create something unique to the market” said Messing. Messing joined the CALLE board earlier this year with the noblest of reasons. “To find those kids on the street, give them hope that they one day might become a Ronaldinho or a Messi, and then to represent them into the professional ranks is where I hope to add value to the movement. It’s one of the most exciting boards that I belong to and I am so excited for these young guys and their vision. I support it 110%”
link to attached document for full release.
Street_Soccer_USA_and_CALLE_-_Press_Release_Final%5B1%5D.doc

Street Soccer Stars in Charlotte put together impressive season, fall short in semifinals of local league play

Our team of Street Soccer 945 program graduates, the "Street Soccer Stars" we call them, had an amazing season in the newly formed Revolution Athletics Soccer League in Charlotte. This group is great because they serve as inspiration for our players on the 945 Team and also because I, most of time, can pick up spectators at the Urban Ministry Center and then meet the team at the game. Elmer, Dave and Michael and Tim drive themselves to the game in their own cars. Wow, they have come so far!

We started out the season 0-3. The team then rebounded and won 7 games in row. We entered the playoffs as the #6 seed and faced off against the #3 seed Wings Select. Craig Holley, star of the Sundance documentary Kicking It, played his best game of the season at marking back. Craig had the job of marking our opponent's best forward, a strong and physical player with a cannon shot on both legs and a spin move that had weakened the legs of many defenders. Craig held him up and did not stab in, only when the opponent turned and showed Craig the ball did he step in and make a tackle. Time and time again Craig held him up, won the ball and released it to our triumvirate of attackers who on this night looked like Brazilians passing back and fourth, slotting in easy goals. This seemed a little too easy so Mike McGregor, Homeless World Cup 2007 team member, bicycled in our 5th goal and we were able to hold of a late surge by the Wings and advance to the semifinals by a score of 7-3.

The semifinals took place just 30 minutes after our quarterfinal victory and we started the game on our heels taking shot after shot which Craig, volunteer Curtis Gardner and Keeper Tim Cummins (HWC '08) were able to deflect. We were able to keep them out of the net while we re-organized and got into our game. This was a beautiful game. Both teams fought hard and played fair. The score was 1-1 with five minutes left. Elmer Nunez (Homeless World Cup 07) confronted an attacking player in the middle of the field and what sounded like an explosion was a ball-to-foot contact in which Elmer won the ball for a one on zero breakaway with the keeper. On this bouncy, dirt patched field, Elmer could not collect the ball where he wanted it and sprayed a shot wide of the goal. We were in shock. The next possession in what appeared to be another defensive stand for us quickly turned into a moment of chaos as the ball was turned back over and a free man at the back post put it past Tim in the only spot open...the roof of the net. We did not go down without a fight. Dave McGregor, HWC 2006, slipped through defenders and found himself a small opening in which he took a toe-poke shot that clanged the post and went out. We took our final push and earned a corner. The ball was played low and hard into the penalty area and bodies banged together and a deflection shot pinged right for the goal but only the keeper blocked it and fell on it. He was on top of the line and we appealed for a goal but it was not in. Our winning streak was over. The excitement now is that we are consistently going toe-to-toe with some of Charlotte's best amateur players. Pictured here is part of the team. Front row, SS-945 Team support Ebony, Coach Rob, Nori. Second Row Michael McGregor, Miguel, Elvis, Dave McGregor, volunteer Curtis. Not pictured Elmer Nunez, Craig Holley and Tim Cummins. The Stars will start vying for that first elusive title again next week when the league re-starts. Street Soccer 945, the team that will represent Charlotte at the Street Soccer USA Cup this summer, will start league play this Wednesday, May 20th. Please check back for complete game schedules. Thanks for your support.

NYC comeback, Goals3,4,5,6

.
SSNYC, fresh off back to back victories, was beginning to think this soccer thing was easy. Word has spread of their talent, and this time the opponent was prepared. SSNYC fell behind 9-0 before getting their first goal. The second half was another story. Resilience is a quality that people who struggle with homelessness need to exhibit everyday. SSNYC was apparently well practiced. Some of the goals above are part of their comeback. From 13-3, SSNYC came back to finish the game 15-13. It was no easy comeback either and if it were not from the star heroics of the opposing goalie, SSNYC certainly would have deserved victory. Enjoy the Dexter and Jarvis show of goals here

Street Soccer Chicago gets Playoff Birth

Street Soccer Chicago had 35 fans on hand in their final game, a tough loss to end their, in fact, triumphant first season. Or did it? They found out they in fact qualified as the wild card team and will play in the first round of the playoffs next Thursday. SSCHI has captured the the public's hearts and the players' potential, three quarters of the players having moved into jobs or housing since they first started the program in September. Good luck next week!

Just for kicks . . .

Review of NYTimes Sunday Front Page . . . go team

Goal 2

Enjoy this goal by Street Soccer NYC's Dexter Barnett.

SSUSA part of Kasltes' Championship Season

Lawrence Cann (3rd to the right of the World Team Tennis Trophy) Street Soccer CEO and Founder, was on hand with Mayor Fenty of Washington DC, DC Councilman Jack Evans, DC Sports and Entertainment Commission CEO Erik Moses, Great Washington Sports Alliance president Robert Sweeney, and Washington Kastles World team tennis coach Murhpy Jensen, Thursday as the Kastles announced they will host the World Team Tennis Championships on their home court.

Mark Ein, venture capitalist and philanthropist, also announced that the Street Soccer USA Cup and trials for the Homeless World Cup will take place in the same 3,000 person center city stadium July 31st-August 2nd. Mark has brought the community in DC together through the sport of tennis, and his support of Street Soccer USA shows his concern far beyond his own backyard, providing our team of people battling homelessness the chance to play in a first class sporting arena. Our hats are off to Mr. Ein.

Please link to www.streetsoccerusa.org to learn more about the cup and how to volunteer, and how to come cheer at this free event for the whole family.

Street Soccer NYC Images: in route. Next Tues. Game-9pm

Check out some images from Street Soccer NYC, Dex on the subway, Jarvis in uni and out, Ray, Charles, and our team walking to the game in the rain.
Next match is Tuesday at Cheslea Piers, 9pm

SSUSA visits St. Alban's

At the invitation of Hart Roper, Dean of Admissions at St. Alban's, Will Mazzuto of Street Soccer USA and I traveled to this beautiful boy's preparatory school nestled on a breezy hillside behind the National Cathedral in Washington, DC.

Hart Roper, besides being a dedicator educator, husband, and father of two baby girls, has been my soccer buddy as long as I can remember. We played together on the club level, reaching the final four in the nation as U-17's and were both recruited to play at Davidson. In fact I probably would not have made it very far in soccer at all if Hart's mom hadn't given me rides to so many games, tournaments, and practices. So my soccer life has been synonymous with Hart's. He even came to Charlotte and trained with our 2007 Homeless World Cup team before they went abroad a couple year's ago. St Alban's is lucky to have such a good man working in support of their students, not to mention coaching their varsity soccer team.

In the words of the school's website St. Alban's creates "an intimate community that thrives on close relationships between faculty and students, on daily family style lunches, on a challenging yet caring environment." I was struck when I read that because it is very similar to what we try to do for our street soccer players, just substitute soccer practices for "daily style lunches."

I was also struck while attending such a lunch at how the school provided structure and support. In describing the upcoming field day, one teacher told the students what to wear, where to be, when to be their, how to act while there, as well as how not to act. This type of instruction and guidance is exactly what most of our players have lacked, growing up in poverty, changing schools, changing families, etc.

When I gave a presentation to the middle school students I tried to contrast what I had seen at the lunch with the lives of many of our participants. The students were very impressive. They spoke up, responded, asked questions, and genuinely engaged in the question, "what would it be like for me to be homeless."

In the end several of the students came up afterward offering to volunteer at our cup and we set up a tentative challenge match for our July 31st Street Soccer USA Cup tournament against St. Alban's. We hope to see many of the students, faculty, and parents at the matches representing the school, sharing their impressive community with our players by supporting them as fans. We look forward to recognizing the group on the PA. Perhaps they will win the top fan group award at the cup. Who is going to challenge them?

NYC Strikes Again. 8-7 victory; #6 most emailed . . .

On the same day that Street Soccer NYC ranked #6 on the NYTimes most emailed stories list,
Street Soccer NYC quietly moved out of 6th place and into tie for 3rd in the Chelsea Piers league.
MVP of the match was Andres Negron, a native of Brooklyn whose first love was baseball. Andres
loves all sports, he says. He made some key saves in Both haves that kept SSNYC in the match.
Dexter Barnett and Jarvis Strose again delivered the goals for SSNYC. Kourtney Talton also impressed in just his second game.

Next week's game: 9pm, field North at Chelsea Piers

Sunday New York Times Front Page

See the article and video online here

Thanks to the HELP USA board and staff, to the corps of amazing volunteers, and most of all to our courageous players, for taking the program so far and achieving such a strong impact in a short time.

Street Soccer NYC's schedule can be linked to here. You can also come back to this blog for the latest upcoming game posting and news about sports for social change through Street Soccer USA across the country.

And as long as Dexter is a star, here is his goal one more time from game # 2

Victory is ours! SSNYC get fist win

--New York, New York, Chelsea Pier's league.
10-4, HELP USA's Next Step and SEC shelter's claimed vicory in their third league match. Jarvis Strose, 30 years old, 1346 days in the NYC shelter system is a different person than the guy I met two months ago. After his fourth goal we subbed him and I heard him explaining to a reporter who came to our game in his unique English that "The team is a place for smiles. Everybody come and smile, smile." He gives a lot to the team, mostly in the form of his consistency. He's a guy with special needs, with a lot to offer, and he's offering it up. Everyone else feeds off it. Human potential beginning to be realized. It's beautiful. Dexter Barnet, 47, also had four goals. At dinner after the game we had pizza and salad and water. Dexter ordered a coke. "You like soda," coach Chris Murray asked him. "This is normal. Having a coke with dinner, chatting with people. I miss this," was Dexter's retort. Dexter is a beautiful player. All the ball tricks you can imagine. One moment tonight he put the ball through another player's legs and blasted the ball into the roof of the net. Everyone on the sideline simply marveled at the move. Most of us couldn't conceive of maneuver he just pulled off, least of all the other team's defender. It's beautiful to see Dexter filled with confidence, talking about where he wants to be in the future. Then there was Chris Lodgson. He's moving out of the shelter Friday. He's excelled a this game soccer that he's just learned. We asked Chris to start thinking about college and his long term future. There is Woods who is battling and depression, all smiles, Kourtney who just joined the team getting his first taste of action, Charles Mark, Jean Jeresta, Andres Negron, all these guys full of smiles, full of hope. What can I say, it was a touchy-feely evening. Everyone smiling, everyone winners. Working hard and seeing the reward. I think everyone felt affirmed, touched hope tangibly. Winning is contagious they say. We certainly hope so.

next week's game
Home: Milbank
Away: StreetSoccer NY
Location: North Field
Date: 5/5/2009
Time: 6:00 PM
Day of Week: Tue

Urban Ministry Center in Charlotte, NC is accepting applications for a Street Soccer Americorp VISTA position

The Urban Ministry Center, thanks to a partnership with Americorp VISTA, is excited to announce the availability of a one-year, full time position to work with the innovative Street Soccer 945 program. Street Soccer 945 was the first established year around soccer program for the homeless in the USA and the founding program of Street Soccer USA.

Please contact the Urban Ministry Center for more information and the official job description.

Rob Cann
Director, Street Soccer 945
streetsoccer945@urbanministrycenter.org
704-926-0633

To learn more about Americorp VISTA and to go directly to the application please click here

First Goal for NYC

HELP USA's street soccer team scored a landmark goal, it's first, and did so in style. Check the video here.
Dexter Barnet got turned nicely and launched this shot to make the game a 1-1 tie in the first of the team's Chelsea Piers, League.
Next week Street Soccer NYC places on Tuesday at 8pm. Come cheer them on!

Recession Soccer

proof that we aren't alone or crazy

Our New York team, in solidarity, is here and now officially challenging these guys to a match. We'll come to Hoboken, and you all are more than welcome to come to Ward's Island.

You can scout the team at Chelsea Piers on Tuesday night at 10pm verus FC Bloomberg. And that goes for anyone else too.

Street Soccer UVA practice notes

Street Soccer UVA works with the University of Virginia, the Hope Community Center, and the Salvation Army in Charlottesville, VA. Homelessness is not just a big city phenomena and nor is Street Soccer. Trigg Brown, a sophomore, details some notes from practice, pointing out how sports helps students and players bridge divides.
Darryl had work so he wouldn't be coming to practice last Tuesday night. Kyle, Andrew and I were bummed out because this and sort of nervous because practice is always in danger of missing players. After convincing two guys, Justin and James, to come play with us, we were hopeful. Will didn't answer his brother's door, but he would come if he could, so we understood. Will's situation with his brother is shaky, unstable, and anything but consistent. We were happy to play with two guys, but when we pulled the big old van into the Hope Community Center parking lot, players Will and Josh were waiting there for us with students Walker, Karter, Pen and Will. Game on. After passing around for a few minutes, we circled up and took turns calling stretches. We ran a lap, with the ball of course, and then commenced play on the verdant grass carpet of the city park, subtly tucked away behind the monumental student apartments lining Wertland and 14th St. Their architecture sets up a barrier between University and its impoverished community neighbor. Will has a sneaky style, that reflects the old-school way he hooks shots in a game of hoops. James is a great athlete, and executes decisively. Justin just loves to play. And Josh can smack the ball from goal all the way through the window of those isometric student apartments that ironically provide shelter for our small, quiet, play. There's an awkward air about practice because none of us really know what we're doing playing together, but that feeling -- playing together-- is a good one. It drove practice into the dark. We milked our minutes until eight thirty so we could get James and Justin back to the Salvation Army before curfew. It was a good practice. We're going to have a good team

HULU and Kicking IT

Meritoriously so, Kicking It is number one on HULU!!

If you don't know HULU, go right now and watch Kicking IT on hulu.com. I don't own a TV and watch everything over the net on hulu and sites like it.

Ted Leonsis who is a heartfelt and amazing supporter of Street Soccer USA, is also the lead producer behind Kicking It. He wrote this on his active and informative blog Ted's take Ted is really an inspirational and innovative leader, and his films make a big difference on important issues. You should visit his site www.snagfilms.com and watch his other movie, Nanking, about the Rape of Nanking.


Craig, our player feature in the film, by the way, still trains with Street Soccer USA at the Urban Minisitry Center in Charlotte. He works as moped delivery man and cook. He's addressed his anger management issues through counseling, and he is taking a course to earn his high school diploma.

Last week, Crag and his teammates on the Street Soccer Stars (a group of formerly homeless Street Soccer USA alumni and coaches) won 6-4 to move to the top of their spring league.

Go Kicking It, Go Ted Leonsis, Go Craig, Go Teams!

SSPORT-Ann Arbor

Check out this great photo of the Washtenaw County Sheriff's Office competition with Wasthenaw County Street Soccer team (in blue). Congrats to the player fighting to overcome homelessness and thanks to the Sheriff's office for supporing them in this effort.

Street Soccer NYC

11 players traveled from two HELP USA homeles shelters in Ward's Island near the Bronx down to Chelsea Piers. The team lost 14-4. They held the game at 4-1 until two goals in the final minute of the first half established larger gap between the teams. Despite the loss, the team did not fight amongst themselves and the hustle and sportsmanship were what we expect out of our program. Well done team. Coaches stressed that the positive attitude will help us build on the game. We can focus on the soccer since we don't have to sort our team disagreements. The rest of the season's sechedule is listed below. We play at 10pm versus Bloomberg FC next week. This is good news for us since our working players will be a off and back to the shelter in time to compete this go around.

Bloomberg FC was vitories 15-8 in their first game, so our work will be cut out for us. Check back to the blog for images and stories of players from games and practices.

Home: StreetSoccer NY
Away: Bloomberg FC
Location: North Field
Date: 4/14/2009
Time: 10:00 PM
Day of Week: Tue

Home: StreetSoccer NY
Away: Palmeiras
Location: North Field
Date: 4/21/2009
Time: 8:00 PM
Day of Week: Tue

Chicago Inferno

Playing soccer is a lifeline for the homeless
Homeless men find renewed purpose, camaraderie among soccer teammates

March 27, 2009

By MARISSA AMONI For The Beacon News
Soccer is no game to John Klicpera. It is the 24-year-old homeless man's lifeline.

"It keeps me away from a lot of other negative things," he said.

A member of the Hesed House Infernos soccer team shakes off a missed goal during the team's last game of the season.

Klicpera abused drugs in his teenage years and eventually landed in prison. He did his time, went through drug treatment in Rockford and then returned to Aurora, a city that feels like an "old playground" to him.

So when the opportunity arose to join a newly formed homeless soccer team, Klicpera joined in part to keep out of harm's way.

He had never played soccer before. But Klicpera was in good company because neither had the coach.

"I've never touched a soccer ball in my life," said Jason Holmes, who started the team last fall after being inspired by a late night of TV watching.

Holmes, 32, of Aurora, said that after seeing "Kicking It," a documentary film that chronicles players in the 2006 Homeless World Cup in South Africa, he immediately began researching the local street soccer scene. He e-mailed Lawrence Cann, president and founder of Street Soccer USA, and found out that no homeless soccer teams existed in the Chicago area.

With Cann's long-distance support, Holmes took a self-guided crash course in the sport through library books and soon posted recruitment fliers throughout the Hesed House homeless shelter in Aurora, where he works as a program director.

The fliers drew a meager response, so Holmes grabbed a ball one day in October and staged a game across the street.

"Guys just came over to play," Holmes said.

Word of the team quickly spread. At the first official practice for team Inferno, more than a dozen came to play. The team since has an open-door policy and has had as many as 25 players on its roster at one time. Holmes said the "biggest indicator" of success is the number of people who continue to play.

Since its inception, the team has been a refuge for the players -- homeless men who sometimes must angle for a bed to sleep on at night.

"You've got to become a survivor," Klicpera said. "I'm 24; I don't believe I should be where I am. (Homelessness) is really hard -- the people, the times, going from here to there. ... (Soccer) is positive. It is something to look forward to."
In the past year, Juan Venecia went from using crack to being the Infernos' team manager. The 52-year-old deserted his home in Texas to escape a life that wasn't doing him any favors. "It was time for me to go," he said.

Venecia said the homeless shelter has been "rehab" for him. Soccer helps keep him in shape and keep his routine going, so days don't blend together.

Some of the men say the team has changed them for the better.

"(Soccer) brought (the guys) more together. We never talked to each other before," Klicpera said. "Soccer makes (each of) us a better person."

Looking for success

"I need to dig myself out of the hole I'm in and try to get on level ground," said Jeremy Sebek, 24, a team member who came to Aurora from Sandwich after he was kicked out of his mom's house..

The sentiment was shared among the players -- homelessness is temporary. Almost half of the players are living in homes now.

"Hopefully none of these guys will be homeless in July," Holmes said.

Boston Planning Meeting

Street Soccer is coming to Boston! Are you in the Boston area and looking to get involved with Street Soccer USA? If so, please write Christa (christa.thoeresz@gmail.com) or Caeli (csrubens@gmail.com) and let them know! An initial program meeting will be held in Boston in the upcoming weeks and we'd love to have you there!

Thank you Sheriff

Kevin Carroll Katalyst Coach's Award Winner, Sara Silvennoinen, and her Anna Arbor team organized by Washtenaw County Social Services continue to build bridges, change lives, and kick balls. Check out the playbill for March 29th posted below. Many, many thanks to the County Sheriff's office and to the leadership at Washtenaw County Social Services. Improved relations between people on the street and law enforcement has already been documented since the two groups started playing together a couple months ago. Thanks to Sara and her team for innovating and once again leading the way!

Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Office
Vs.
Washtenaw County Street Soccer Team (S.S. PORT)
Street Soccer Project Outreach Team

Sunday March 29, 2009
12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Wideworld Sports Center
2140 Oak Valley Drive, Ann Arbor MI 48103


Washtenaw County Sheriff employees will be playing the local homeless soccer team (S.S. PORT); participation has been shown to help the homeless connect their players with housing, mental health and/or substance abuse treatment, jail diversion service, community resources, socialization, and a greater sense of motivation ending in a higher degree of self-esteem.

Fort Worth Street Soccer Effort Recognized

Please Read this exerpt from a thoughtful article by DAVID CASSTEVENS in the Star Telegram about the good people in Fort Worth and their work. Congrats Team!!

"The right direction

Typically, nine to 12 men attend the two-hour workouts. Some are more reliable — and trustworthy — than others. One player missed a recent practice because he had reportedly stolen $200 and was in hiding. Wilson wants the others to understand how the wrongful action of one person affects the team.

"I’m not expecting these guys to sing in the choir," he says. "But they need to set some goals, which we help them do. They need to make an effort to do better than they did yesterday."

Two men grew up with both parents in prison. One was adopted at age 5 and then sexually and physically abused. The courts placed him in a foster home. He has turned to the team’s directors for guidance, stability and a sense of security he has never known.

Mark, 35, is already headed in the right direction. Living on his own since he was 13, he has moved from the Presbyterian Night Shelter into an apartment complex and works full time at Patriot House, the night shelter’s home for veterans. His long-time dream is to join the Navy.

"I haven’t missed one practice," he says proudly.

Bryan, 24, found himself on the streets seven months ago after he got into a fight with his stepfather. He left home at 15 and told Gray — "Miss Karla" — that he spent two years at a juvenile detention facility after committing an assault. He said he was diagnosed with bipolar disorder and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder but doesn’t take medication.

"I love soccer," Bryan says, beaming. "It helps me get rid of stress. It don’t matter if we win or lose every game. I’m committed to the team."

After Gray counseled him, she wrote down two assignments and placed the folded slip of paper into Bryan’s hand.

"You do these before the next practice, OK?" she said.

Bryan promised to obtain a copy of his birth certificate and get meds at John Peter Smith Hospital.

Spreading the word

Before the homeless men are allowed to compete — they will play an area team Saturday at the practice field one block west of the Presbyterian Night Shelter — each must open a savings account and deposit an agreed-upon sum every month. Gray and Wilson also request that they volunteer at the shelter. In the future, players will be asked to share their stories at churches, schools and civic-group meetings.

As word spreads on the street, Wilson hopes more people will join.

Participation is more unpredictable than the weather.

Recently, a young man from Nigeria appeared at the practice field and stepped off his bicycle.

"What is going on here?" he asked in a clipped accent.

"We’re playing soccer," Gray replied with a welcoming smile. "What’s your name?"

"James."

"Hi, James, I’m Karla." She nodded toward the field. "Wanna play?"

The invitation appeared to take him by surprise.

"Are you sure you want me to play?"

"Of course."

James threw back his head, turning his wide grin to the heavens.

"Glory be to God!" he cried.

James happily joined the group of black, Anglo and Hispanic men as they practiced foot drills and kicked the ball into a goal fashioned from plastic pipe and volleyball netting.

Like the World Cup

On the morning of their first game, the coach and directors had no idea how many players would keep their word and meet for the trip to Austin.

Four arrived at the practice field. Then, five others showed up.

They loaded into two vehicles and headed south. A member of Robbins’ church donated $200 to cover expenses for the daylong adventure. In Austin, they ate hamburgers for lunch and then went on a field trip.

"Do you want to put on your jerseys?" Gray asked.

Everyone did. Dressed in matching red and white, the players posed for a group photo and walked wide-eyed around the University of Texas. Most had never set foot on a college campus.

At that moment, this loose bunch of homeless men felt like — and became — a team, the North Texas Stars.

In street soccer, four players on each side compete on a hard surface about the size of a basketball court. The Stars played three games in a church gymnasium against what, for now, is the only other homeless team in Texas. The Stars won all three.

"Some guys were about to pass out," Robbins recalled, smiling at their competitiveness and effort. "They played like this was for the World Cup."

It was after midnight when the team arrived home, tired and happy. Mark was dropped off at his apartment. Others got out at the shelter, where row after row of people lay asleep beneath blankets on the concrete. Three Hispanic players asked to be taken to another location.

The coach thought guiltily about the warmth and comfort of his own bed as the men nodded good night and headed off, on foot, silently disappearing into the night."

--writenn by DAVID CASSTEVENS of the Fort Worth Star Telegram