Growing up, I lived and breathed soccer, thanks to my family.

Growing up, I lived and breathed soccer, thanks to my family.

Dad was a former star goalie for the US Men’s National Team.

My grandfather was a pro in Ukraine.

Soccer wasn’t just a game in our family but a legacy.

I played on elite travel teams from the age of 5.

But deep down, baseball was my true passion.

Despite this, I felt a silent pressure to continue the family tradition.

By 8th grade, a partial ACL tear made me rethink everything.

It led me to hang up my soccer cleats for good.

Or so I thought.

I attended Driscoll Catholic for high school.

The decision was a no-brainer, not for its soccer legacy, but for its baseball program.

I dreamed of winning a state championship with them.

Yet, as my junior year approached, I contemplated an unexpected return to soccer.

I saw it as a means to get into better shape for baseball.

The soccer team at Driscoll was no elite squad.

Think “Bad News Bears.”

Despite this, I walked on.

The season had already started.

When I arrived, I made a significant impact.

As the season progressed, something incredible happened.

We began to improve, to win.

Most surprisingly, I found joy in playing soccer.

Our ragtag team even made it to the playoffs.

We had no business competing against our first opponent.

But the playoff game was a scene out of a movie.

It was a cold, rainy October night.

The field was more mud than grass.

The two teams locked in a fierce battle.

Against all odds, we triumphed.

Under those harsh conditions, that victory (and team) remains one of my most cherished sports memories.

Even compared to my high school baseball team (of which we did win the State Championship).

The “ragtag” team taught me a valuable lesson.

Find joy in unexpected places.

Initially, my return to soccer was a practical decision: get me in top shape.

But it ended up being much more.

The paths we take reluctantly can surprise us.

Even without much hope, these paths can lead to experiences that enrich our lives.

Don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone.

Try something new.

Revisit something old with a fresh perspective.

You never know where it might lead you.