But when I was here at the field practicing last Tuesday evening, I met this older man who was here to kick some balls; he set up down at the other goal, and began to juggle like a pro! The ball didn’t hit the ground for like five minutes-and then, only when he wanted it to.

So, I went over and introduced myself, thinking I could learn something. Turns out he’s from Ireland and has been playing for thirty years! Ian O’Leary is his name and football is his game. That’s what he said; and that’s what he told me they call soccer: Football! They also call cleats: Boots.

Kinda like, “Get your boots man, the Celtics are looking to score big on you! Everybody knows your goalie’s a rookie.”

Except our goalie is no rookie. He’s five-six and tough as nails. His name’s Kenny and he’s my good friend; we’ve been friends for years and he’s been goalie since third grade. So, he’s very good. That’s over six years under his belt.

But Ian, he said to call him Ian, told me everyone in Ireland kicks with both feet, and that doing so shows a high skill-level. He also taught me some strategy that I’m going to use today. (I love having secret skills to surprise rivals with.)

Now, here comes the ball down the sideline, here’s my chance to do it! It’s lined up perfectly. I kick it in stride with my left, sending it across the field, so the ball lands in front of the Right Wing.

He dribbles a bit and is then set to shoot. The score is tied at one and this could give us the lead!

He launches it hard in the right corner. Yes! The ball ruffles the net as it lands in back of the goal. The goalie tried to block it but missed. Two to one, us.

Great stuff, what Ian taught me. Since I’m on the left, I was to cross it from midfield to the Right Wing, who would hopefully be in position to strike, take a shot on goal. He was and it worked awesome!

Jared, the Wing, comes up half running, half skipping and high-fives me. “That was great!” he says. “Thanks for feeding me perfectly!”

He’s talking about my left-footed kick. Because Cliff saw, he and other people at school will have to eat their words and leave me alone.

The game ended, so here comes Cliff, probably to razz me, give me crap about the game.

“Hey Roddy,” he says. “Nice job! Nice left!”

Imagine that!