Soccer in a pandemic world

So much has changed in the last 13 months. My job at the time was 100% in the office before March of 2020. Meetings were all in person. I was able to walk up and down my row to talk to my employees. Lunches were in a cafeteria and our private, secluded property was inviting for walks throughout the day.

Suddenly, we had to scramble and go 100% remote. There were challenges, as most know. I was lucky to have a space to be secluded from the family (barring the occasional interruption of a toddler). The isolation was hard. Sure, there were video meetings, but suddenly my work family was no longer around.

On top of that, I lost my biggest social outlet: soccer. I have been in love with the sport for about 15 years. I picked up playing as a young adult, post college. Through work, I met a group that played recreationally. After joining them, I hungered for more. I ended up joining a house team to play more. With that team, I met some wonderful lads and we created our own team.

For years, we dominated the men's rec leagues. A handful of us still play together to this day. Well, if to this day was last March. That is when all sports had to shut down, too. No more chatting with the teams, no more drinks after games. It was not quite as hard at first, because it seemed like more of an offseason break (even though I had been playing year round, indoor and outdoor for years).

Walks with my family were nice in the summer. Slowly, I began having a missing part in my soul that soccer once filled. Professional sports and recreational sports all came to a standstill, and so many people felt the effects.

Don't get me wrong, I understand why it had to happen, and even why it is continuing the way it is, now. It doesn't make it hurt less.

Professional soccer came back last fall and has been very successful. It has helped fill a void. I organized a couple kick arounds at a park for some friends. We socially distanced, chatted, and kicked to one another. But it was not a real game.

Winter was hard. In the northern states snow took away our only outlet of going outdoors. Having a toddler cooped up made for long days. Being on a computer in my basement working sucked out any joy I had outside of my family.

Now, the weather is nicer, some sports are resuming. But, what will that look like of the future? I am still weary of the post-pandemic world. I have both of my vaccine shots and am still a proponent of wearing masks for sports. Sure, it might not be comfortable in 95 degree 100% humidity days. But, with recreational sports starting to open back up with a pandemic spiking, what choices do we have?

To continue to not play? This is the safest for my physical health, but not mental. I quarantined with my family for their safety. Will we continue to do this? Yes, but I would like to find a way to slowly get back out into the world.

Play but with masks? Yes! But, that depends on how it is enforced and if other people wear masks properly. Most sports are contact to an extent, or at least close proximity. Vigilance is key to making this sustainable.

I am hoping by fall of 2021 we will be close to back to normal. It will require masks and vaccines, still. But, I if I cannot play outdoor, I hope indoor is ready. I miss the running, the kicking, the thrill of a goal, and the celebratory drinks. Will I sacrifice my family's health for that? No. Will I continue to look for ways to make soccer work? Of course.

Those that follow the beautiful game know the impact it has: the highs, the lows, the rivalries. We need it both on TV and in our daily lives. Even if that means wearing masks for years. I will do what it takes to play again.