The Chicago Fire Soccer Club vs. New York Football Club
On Sunday, March 6, 2016 at Toyota Park in Bridgeview Illinois, the Chicago Fire played the New York City Football Club. The Chicago Fire lost 4-3.
I coached middle school soccer while teaching at CPS, where I learned the basics of soccer and discovered how thrilling this sport can really be. Our sixth grade soccer team lost in the Chicago City quarter-finals to the team that eventually won the city championship title. As a newcomer to the sport at the time this unexpected winning streak was an exciting time. We had next to zero good equipment and even lacked a regular place to practice. But what we lacked in equipment was made up in the student's enthusiasm like I have never seen.
These kids wanted to play and win, period. I drafted two parents that spoke Spanish and were also Chicago semi-pro soccer players. My job was to insure all students on the roster were in our school, manage substitutes and organize a bus. Since we had no home field all games were away. Once that was done these kids played with heart and soul and refused to lose. This was a classic example where the students taught me more than I taught them.
In the end it was one of my most satisfying moments spent at CPS. I only wish we had documented that run to the championship finals with more pictures and testimonials. So now I go to or watch soccer games whenever possible, still learning all the way.
I coached middle school soccer while teaching at CPS, where I learned the basics of soccer and discovered how thrilling this sport can really be. Our sixth grade soccer team lost in the Chicago City quarter-finals to the team that eventually won the city championship title. As a newcomer to the sport at the time this unexpected winning streak was an exciting time. We had next to zero good equipment and even lacked a regular place to practice. But what we lacked in equipment was made up in the student's enthusiasm like I have never seen.
These kids wanted to play and win, period. I drafted two parents that spoke Spanish and were also Chicago semi-pro soccer players. My job was to insure all students on the roster were in our school, manage substitutes and organize a bus. Since we had no home field all games were away. Once that was done these kids played with heart and soul and refused to lose. This was a classic example where the students taught me more than I taught them.
In the end it was one of my most satisfying moments spent at CPS. I only wish we had documented that run to the championship finals with more pictures and testimonials. So now I go to or watch soccer games whenever possible, still learning all the way.