There is something crazy cool about the connection that soccer creates. When you think that a space or city cannot be smaller, insert the arrows between names and organizations and inspirations.

 It all started when I initially moved home, with a suggestion from my dad to join a team of one of his GM coworkers – Jess. I created new bonds and friendships, but was traveling to Waterford every week out of the city. My claim to fame was the Detroit connection of playing alongside Dylan Larkin, the Red Wings all-star rookie.

 I kept building connections from the suggestion to start playing pick-up on Saturdays at Wayne State — this transformed into introducing our friend, ‘Soccer Mike’ into the crazy mix of fellows. And from there continued to trivia nights, bike rides through the city, exploration along the streets and more soccer connections, of course.

Mike and I attempted our luck out in a league in Ann Arbor with students and young professionals, boards making our lungs ache for more air at the pace of the game. Although the drive allowed for long chats about the state of our city and country, we sought something a bit closer to home.

Miranda, a fellow fellow (and hands-down one of the best woman soccer players I’ve met, on and off the field) suggested a league just around the corner. Showing up to a dome without being able to recognize the faces of folks you’re looking for, but knowing that you’re all there to get some touches on the ball is a great feeling. Insert Carolyn, one of our current Detroit Boxing Gym partners and a lively soul. When asked where I lived and only providing her with my cross streets, she turned gave me my exact address “oh, you’re at 643. I’m long time and great friends with your landlord and neighbor, Dave.”

While grabbing a couple of drinks at Northern Lights after a game, I found another connection with my new team. Alex is a young, enthusiastic, and smart woman and Venture for America (VFA) fellow. Through our excited banter, I found she had the author of one of my favorite collection of essays – “Notes from No Man’s Land” by Eula Biss – as a professor at Northwestern.

Just a few days later it felt as if these connections came to a deeper fruition when Challenge Detroit and VFA hosted a networking event. Insert another VFA fellow and Wayne State pick-up player, Dylan. Who consequently tried out for the local minor league team – Detroit City FC. A team I love to support in my spare time and am working with to hopefully attend the Grand Prix this summer.

I look at this intertwined web of phenomenal people that I know better, simply by sharing a love for soccer, with happiness. What’s bonkers is that this seemingly linear path, has been anything but, and is full of names and faces and ideas shared that I haven’t acknowledged yet. There’s more work to be done and people to get to know, but I am excited to keep growing in this new network of passionate players for soccer and Detroit.

Photo credit: Miranda Day