Pineapple on pizza

It’s 4:00 and we walk to the field. We are the first ones here. Is it going to be just us playing soccer alone?

No. 4:30 and the floodgates open. School has let out and children come rushing from the school to the field. They are ready to play.

It’s absolute chaos. Some are eating chips and walking around. Others laying on top of each other in piles. Some are playing tag. But we found our people. They see the soccer ball and are ready to play.

“Let’s play kids verses people who put pineapple on pizza.”

Game on.

It’s humbling. Amidst all the chaos they school me left and right. Jab for the ball, he pulls it back. I dribble forward, three of them take it away. We are losing miserably 7-0.

Thankfully they had pity on us and donated a few of their best players. Now we can be competitive. Now it’s fun. He passes to me and I pass back. We dribble and make plays. Score score score. We are tied. 11-11.

The sun is setting. Nobody wants to leave. Next goal wins. How did we do it? I’m not sure, but we shout and cheer! We have just won the game. But more importantly we won the respect of these 10 year olds. Now there is something for them to fight for. We will be back next Wednesday. Rematch.