I love soccer. I love playing it. I love watching it (go US
Women’s Team!) and I love talking about it!
I have been playing soccer for many years now. I have played
on 3-4 different teams and finding the next team has always been simple.
But this time was different.
The team I was on for the past 5+ years disbanded over the
summer. So, I started searching for s new team!
This episode is my experience of how I thought I had found a
great fit, but then how I found something even better.
 
Before we go into the details, a quick detour in the different
leagues in youth soccer.
The top leagues are called “Elite” leagues followed by the
classic league and then the premier leagues.
I played in the premier league on my last team and was really
hoping to join one of the elite league teams.
 
I started researching teams while on vacation in Europe – thanks to our AirBNB hosts and their wifi 😊
I was really happy to see that the coaches were very responsive to my emails.
The soccer season starts in Aug/Sep so the tryouts are typically
in the May/June timeframe.
I shortlisted about 6 teams to try out for – all well-known,
large clubs.
 
I was SOOO nervous in my first tryout – the team I was trying out was for was so good.
After practicing with the team that day, I was anxious to see what the coach said.
But he basically asked me to come back for another session.
I then realized that all teams typically have several practice/tryout sessions before they will make an offer.
So I had to re-think my plan of trying out for many different
teams. I shortlisted even more!
I reached out to FC Dallas for trying out and surprisingly I
wasn’t as nervous as before. It was a tough tryout and I was glad when the coach invited me back for another tryout session. I tried out a couple of more times and I was thrilled when the coach asked me to join the team. They play in the "elite" league and I had achieved my dream!

But when my dad talked to the coach we found out that the team plays in regional games which means many out-of-town games. My parents thought that it would be too much with my other activities. I wasn’t happy about it. I was mad that I couldn’t join an
elite team that had picked me.

I then heard about a brand-new team that played in the premier league. I wasn’t keen to try out because I thought it didn’t make sense because I had already been picked for two teams in a more elite league.

I tried out anyway and realized that I really liked the drills and the coaching.

I was still really keen to join the more elite team.
But my parents were clear that joining this team would be
better for me – it would give me more opportunities to become a better player.
I went to a couple more practices and liked the overall vibe.
So I joined this brand-new team.
I enjoyed our first tournament.
After the tournament, to my surprise, this team got invited to play in the elite league. WHAAAT! That was so cool!

That was totally unexpected and I am so glad I get to play
in the elite league.
I am excited to play this season – new team, new position,
new league.
Let’s go!
 
Shoutouts to Sanjay kaka and Vinti fai.
And also Sunil kaka from Mumbai!
And also to Tejal masi
I love all their feedback and love that they listen to this podcast. Email me at [email protected] about anything for a shoutout!

As always, listen, rate, and share!

 
 

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