The days in high school were very interesting for me since I
was learning everything I could in order to feel better in an environment that
was completely new. I had to adjust to new ways of doing things because I had
come from a different country.
Not only was the language barrier a problem but also the
circumstances that came along when you’re a teenager. However, I was a good
soccer player and I ended up playing for the HS team.
Things were going smooth for me in school after I made some
friends who I stayed with to practice soccer when class work was over. I
remember we used to get together at the gym and played indoors during
wintertime.
Sometimes, even if it was a bit cold outside we would put on
some warm ups and headed to play the beautiful game. Kicking the ball around
with my friends was fun until I learned that studying and getting good grades
would go hand in hand with after school sport activities.
I knew I could be responsible and behave well but that was
not the only problem that I had to face. In order for me to participate and be
part of the soccer team I would have to study hard and had to make sure that my
lowest grade was a ‘C’.
Luckily, I was in good shape academically except for my math
class. Staying after school with my math teacher so she could tutor me to bring
my grade up on time for the spring season was not much fun at all.
I worked hard to stay out of trouble so I could patiently
wait for the soccer season to start. The days for the tryouts seemed so far
away but eventually I was out there; meeting people and competing for a spot. It felt so good when
the coach picked me for the JV team, he might have been impressed with my
dribbling skills, passing, and speed. Overall, I had a great time during the 1994 spring in the JV
soccer team and by now I was on the watch list of the varsity coach for next
season.
When the junior year arrived I felt that it was a new me and
I was comfortable. I felt more confident walking around the hallways greetings
students, teachers and of course my friends. That confidence was boosted by my
success in the soccer team in the previous season.
I felt that time was flying fast at George C. Marshall High School. Because school started in September and soon after October Christmas
was just around the corner. Then, the indoor soccer tryouts started in January
and February. It was exciting stuff for a foreign kid who enjoyed the beautiful
game.
The most memorable soccer game I remember was against
Washington Lee H.S. At this game I scored a spectacular goal from like twenty yards
and we ended up winning that match. I remember the smell of my new puma cleats,
my white shorts and red jersey with the number nine on my back.
The game against Lee High stood up in my mind because I was
not even in the starting lineup. We were losing 2-0 and the coach came near me
and said “Roger warm up” So I got up from the bench and started to do some warm
up drills. Two minutes in the game I stole a ball from the opposite defender by
half field and I run forward preparing to launch a long range shot which I
placed in the right hand corner where the spider make their webs and there was
nothing the goalkeeper could do. We ended up winning that match 3-4 and I
earned my position in the starting lineup as a striker.
The bus ride to every soccer game was lots of fun. We
talked, cracked jokes and had good laughs, some listened to music. The coach
allowed us to have fun before games but ten minutes before arriving to matches
he started to talk seriously and said that we had to step out of the bus with
our game-face on.
Definitely soccer helped me enjoy my high school days and to
overcome the few barriers I was facing at the time. Not having friends,
learning a new language and adapting to a new culture were a challenge. The
beautiful game made things easier and the spring season was such a sweet ride,
especially my junior year, which is the one that brings great memories to this
day.
