The Soccer People

There are a lot of stories out there about people, against the odds, making a better life for themselves. Over the weekend, The New York Times ran an article that illustrates what is so good about this country, as well as what makes it a country still dealing with issues concerning race and money.

Warren St. John spent a season following the Fugges, an U-13 team in Georgia. John follows all the ups and downs inherent in putting together a soccer team entirely made up of refugees. It is truly a great read and though a little long, worth your time. Money quote:

Early on the morning of Oct. 14, Jeremiah Ziaty is nowhere to be seen. The Fugees have a 9 a.m. game an hour from Clarkston, against the Bluesprings Liberty Fire, one of the top teams. Ms. Mufleh had told her players to meet at the library by 7.

Ms. Mufleh usually leaves players behind if they aren't on time. But she knows Jeremiah's mother is now working nights at a packaging factory; she gets home at 3 a.m. and won’t be up to wake Jeremiah. So the coach orders the bus driver to the Ziatys' apartment. Jeremiah is sound asleep. Awakened, he grabs his uniform and fumbles toward the bus.

From the outset of the game, the Fugees, and especially Jeremiah, seem groggy. They fall behind, 1-0. But in the second half, they tie the score, fall behind, and tie it again, 2-2. Jeremiah is now playing fearsome defense. With minutes to go, the Fugees score. They win, 3-2.

"We played as a team," says Qendrim Bushi, the boy from Kosovo. "We didn't yell at each other. Last game, when they scored, all of us were yelling at each other. And Coach made us do a lot of stuff at practice. That's why we win. Only because of Coach."

As the Fugees leave the field, a man on the Bluesprings sideline yells to them, "I'd have paid money to watch that game!"

Building on the success of the boys teams, the first ever Fugees girls team starts practicing next month. While I don't know if soccer really explains the world we live in, I do think that this story gives us a clear example of how great this sport really is.

Refugees Find Hostility and Hope on Soccer Field [New York Times]

Fugees Website

-ac