Soccer Stories

Hello, my name is Alesea. I am 10 years old and I live in the City of Sammamish. I play soccer for a premier league called Crossfire or Xf. I fell in love with soccer when I was in kindergarten, when my mom put me in Crossfire's recreation camp; I was nervous and excited! Then I LOVED rec and did one more year before I thought, “I want this to be my job when I grow up,” so my mom signed me up for Crossfire’s Premier tryouts. I skipped Select and I was so nervous because not everyone would make the team. But I tried hard and made it and that is how I made it to where I am right now. I am at Crossfire Premier U11 RCL2! I was not done there. I always taught my best friends tricks on how to play and I practiced at school. If you are a person that likes soccer don't give up – try your best you can do it!

Redmond means a lot to me. When I was in preschool I moved to Redmond Ridge. I moved into a community with many people, and I went to the school Rosa Parks. I loved it, but I would NEVER play soccer with the boys. I was always nervous I would get hurt, but on the first day of second grade I thought, “Today I will play with the boys.” So I did and I was not bad. It helped me with my soccer skills. That is why Redmond means a lot to me: it is what helped me play my first soccer at a high level and I had friends, which helped me stay positive!

- Alesea Sharma, Redmond Community Member 

I first started playing at 60 Acres 40 years ago. I still play at Marymoor Park. Here is my story about the Origin of Walking Soccer. 
 
 Redmond is my soccer hub. I have played a lifetime of games at 60 Acres, Grass Lawn, and Marymoor Park. The soccer fields are world class. The replacement of hard fields with field turf has been beneficial for the health of soccer players. The old fields were extremely hard on our joints and overall wellness. I am so grateful for Redmond to consider what an impact the City has made on the lives of soccer players of all ages. You have kept us in the game we love.

- Sue Boettcher, Redmond Community Member 

If I told my younger self that I am now the loudest person on the soccer field, commanding and changing the pace of each game, I would have never believed myself. Growing up as an introverted and shy child, I always relied on sports to give me a sense of identity. While exploring/playing tennis, swimming, and gymnastics, soccer stuck with me. Being a goalkeeper is a unique position; I am the last line of defense, but also the primary director of the game. Soccer taught me that no matter how good each individual player on a team may be, we are only as strong as our weakest player. I've learned the importance of harmony, community, togetherness, and belonging because of sports. Additionally, I've learned so many life lessons and skills that have made me a stronger and more well-rounded person. I've learned the importance of dedication, grit, resilience, and what it means to show up even though you're tired. The good and bad thing about being a goalkeeper is that the entire pace of the game can change solely because of my actions, and that has taught me the importance of being confident and trusting myself. Playing soccer has given my once shy and quiet self a new voice, and a strong one too, and I hope to continue using it on and off the field.  

Being a student athlete at Redmond High School, and playing for Crossfire Premier, Redmond's own soccer club, this city has provided me with many opportunities in the sport. I've played soccer for Redmond High for three years, being an active player, leader, and even a student coach during the Jr. Mustangs Soccer Camps. I am grateful to go to a school with so much school spirit, and to be a part of a city that uplifts and supports young athletes so much. Additionally, being on Crossfire Premier has allowed me to represent Redmond across the country, where I've played in top tournaments. I am a strong advocate for athlete mental health and supporting student athletes in all aspects of their lives. I recently started a club at Redmond High School called Play it Forward: where we support all sports at RHS and beyond, give spotlights and recognition to athletes/sports that sometimes get forgotten, create a welcoming community for anyone interested in sports, and host mental health workshops/destress events. Through my club, I've been able to meet fellow athletes beyond soccer and talk to them about their struggles, challenges balancing school and sports, and the often overlooked mental health challenges we all face.
 
This year's FIFA slogan, “Redmond is Ready for the World,” represents what Redmond means to me. Redmond to me is a city that welcomes all, embraces diversity, and creates space for all kinds of people. My mom once started as a small-business owner in this city, and is now a City Councilmember. My immigrant family has built an entire community here in Redmond, and I am grateful to grow up in a city that is so urban, fast-changing, but still feels like home. I am proud to be an athlete from Redmond, and to be a Redmond Mustang! 

- Mehr Soni, Redmond Resident

Soccer was the first energetic thing I had done – other than running, obviously! It just called to me, and I’ve been playing ever since then, recreationally and competitively. 

We visit different soccer stadiums when my family travels. My favorite stadium is Lumen Field and once I was able to walk out onto the pitch with the players before the game. I also really liked touring Parc des Princes (Park of the Princes), which is the home stadium for PSG in France. I feel very lucky that my parents find ways for me to enjoy soccer at home and around the world!

Redmond has been my home for almost eight years, and I’m only nine. It’s a very interesting city with lots and lots of parks, many with big soccer fields. My absolute favorite park is Marymoor Park with the variety of equipment, like the tube slide, baseball and soccer fields, jungle gym, and the swings. We have also seen drive-thru movies in the summer and the Cirque de Soleil show earlier this year – we took the light rail to the Marymoor station which was super convenient and fun! It’s wonderful that our town of Redmond has so much fun stuff for whatever your interests are!!

- Akash Fifadra, Redmond Resident 

My name is Yashveer and I am in first grade at Ben Rush Elementary. I fell in love with soccer at school when I was playing with my friends: Guy, Hashwith, Masrou, Ismail, and Jonathan. I am the happiest when I am scoring or saving goals for my team. When I come home from school, I change into a Brazil soccer jersey and play with a foam ball with my father. We play "World Cup Final" every day and I usually win them. For my birthday, my parents bought me a Ronaldo jersey which made me very happy. Ronaldo is a GOAT and every night before sleeping, I watch some clips of Ronaldo with my mother. I love Ronaldo and he is my favorite player.

Grass Lawn is my favorite park as I can play soccer with my family and friends in their big and clean fields. I also love my school and bike in my neighborhood and to nearby trails when it is not raining. Redmond also has nice summer camps and clean and safe neighborhoods. I wish to remain here forever!

- Yashveer Shetty, Redmond Resident

Growing up in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, soccer was a part of your daily life: you eat, breathe, and live soccer! At an early age, kids get together on the streets for a quick impromptu game where the goal is marked by the player’s sneakers as they play a match barefoot. I, however, had two left feet and never played soccer; my thing was more to watch the televised games or attend the nearby matches. You organically learned what it meant to have soccer run in your veins by just existing, but it was only during the World Cup of 1982, as a young child, that I truly learned what soccer really meant to me, to my neighborhood and city, to my country, and the world. 

That year, we had a killer team, and we made to the Semifinals. The upcoming matches were the talk of the town and not only bets were placed, but the city encouraged you to register your street to compete against other streets in order to win the title of best decorated. We had flags painted on the streets – utility poles became yellow and green. Pennants and strings hung from one side of the street to the other, flags hung from balconies alongside street art. Gameday to qualify for Final finally arrived. Brazil vs. Italy – two powerhouses going against each other for a winning spot in the Final. Someone, somehow, had a giant screen placed outside my apartment building and all of the neighborhood kids were beyond excited to go outside and watch the game together. 

I lived in a big vibrant metropolitan city, where apartments were big and buildings were nine stories tall or higher. In my child's mind there were at least 40 of us plus grown-ups, bringing snacks from home to create a giant potluck, there was no shortage of popcorn. It was hot, we sat on the pavement or in beach chairs. We goofed off so much and then suddenly as if we had a secret code silence washed over everyone, everywhere; not even cars were driving. The town was quieter than sleeping children on Christmas Eve. 

The game had started and with every passing minute the energy started to build up until Italy scored the first goal. We died, we groaned and called foul, we started calling out shots, directions and hints meant to help the players in the screen – we all became coaches and experts. Then, Brazil scored and the town went crazy in one giant, street-by-street unison chant: GOOOOOAAAAL!!!!! 

It was deafening. Your heart is beating faster and faster, it starts to pound out of your chest and the adrenaline takes over, it is the clash of the titans: Socrates, Zico, Falcao and Oscar vs. Rossi, Graziani, Giancarlo and Gentile. Italy scores, Brazil scores, Italy scores, we almost score – the goal that would've tied the game was stopped, literally on top of the goal line! The game ends and we were shocked, quiet, and defeated. We had lost and didn't move into the Final. We all mourned. But children recovered quickly as many of us were children of immigrants so we quickly picked up the pieces of our broken heart and glued back together to put it behind Italy as the team to now cheer for. I don't remember who won that World Cup. I don't even care to look it up. However, that World Cup changed me, as I learned what soccer really is about and that is a lesson I never forgot: soccer is about bringing your community together, about friendship, about putting your support behind those that need. The imagery and the emotions of being part of something bigger than you, with your neighbors and friends is indescribable. Soccer matches brought our whole city together. That is what soccer is all about to me: celebration, support, friendship and community. That is what I hope soccer is for my children and will be for my children's children.

Redmond is home, not because I was born here but because it is the town I chose to call home. This is the place where my husband and I raised our family. Redmond is a beautiful city with so much to offer. It is not free from developmental challenges, but with the right cards played it has so much potential to create and sustain an amazing community. I can't imagine a better place to have chosen to call home.

- Rachel King, Redmond Resident 

I am neurodiverse and soccer helps me to connect with people. The first time I played soccer was when I was two years old. My grandfather used to play soccer with me at Grass Lawn Park. He mostly just kicked the ball to me and made me kick it back. However, my first real match was in the summer when I was seven years old (between first and second grade), and my sister was nine (between third and fourth grade). 

My first day at the summer camp was weird. There were tons of soccer balls scattered everywhere. We first had to kick the ball into the net, and at one point a soccer ball going about 55 miles per hour hit me in the stomach. I couldn’t talk for about two minutes. After that, I slowly got used to kicking. 

A few months later, in second grade around winter (about 15 months after the summer camp), I joined an average team. They didn’t stay average for long. One of my friends, Ryad, was on my team. The coach’s son was also on the team and had been training for eight years (since he was five), which gave us a big advantage over our opponents. Eight other teammates also helped, but I forgot their names. 

Every day we switched sides. One day we were the whites against the reds, and the next day we were the reds against the whites. The camp always started with a warm-up, like passing, shooting, and drills, and then we played a game against our opponents. The camp was called i9 Sports Champion. Weirdly, my team won every single match. 

My team won the championship, and I’ll give you an idea of how it went. First, I was chosen as a midfielder and defended the goalie from a shot. Then another midfielder from the opposing team scored a double-point goal, making the score 2–0. That same midfielder scored again, making it 3-0. After that, one of my teammates (the coach’s son) scored, making it 3-1, and then the first half ended and everyone took a break. 

After the break, I scored a goal after one of my teammates scored, tying the game at 3-3. Time ran out, but because of the tie, an extra ten minutes were added. My opponents scored two goals, then one of my teammates scored, and I deflected a ball as goalie (I changed positions from midfielder to bench to goalie during the game). Finally, my teammates scored three more goals before time ran out, making the final score 6-5, meaning my team won! 

Redmond is where I lived my entire life and I have memorized every nook and cranny in the place. 

- Rishav Das, Redmond Resident

I kicked my first soccer ball on the grass fields of Marymoor Park right here in Redmond at the age of six. Both soccer and Redmond have been part of my life ever since. 

When I started Kindergarten, my family moved into our newly-constructed home in Redmond’s Idylwood neighborhood – the same home my parents still live in today. In first grade they signed me up for soccer, and those early games were played at Marymoor. I kept playing on fields all around the Eastside throughout my childhood and well into high school. I reffed youth soccer games on many of those same fields – my first foray into the working world as a young teen. 

Redmond has played a large part in my life from those early days, too. When I was in grade school, my mom ran for the City Council. I have fond memories of knocking on doors – won’t you please vote for my mom? – as well as riding on her campaign float in the Derby Days parade, listening to her speak at candidate forums, and gathering with her supporters in our living room on election night to tally the precinct returns as they rolled in.  

She won that race and ultimately served two terms on Redmond’s City Council. I have fond memories of those years, too – answering the phone and taking a message whenever a reporter from the Journal American would call about some controversial issue facing the City, watching her read impossibly large packets to prep for Council meetings, and waving signs on election day when she ran again four years later. 

Soccer temporarily exited my life due to a high school basketball injury. It re-entered when I moved back to Redmond after college and joined a co-ed recreational adult soccer league. At that point in my life, soccer provided a great way to socialize, get a little exercise, and meet people after being away from the area for a few years. Soccer would reappear in my life once again when each of my kids played on rec teams during their grade school years, providing a way for all of us to meet people yet again. 

Redmond returned to my life in a big way when I was in my mid-thirties. After a decade away, my husband and I returned to the Eastside when he received a job offer from the City of Redmond’s Planning Department. Though I was busy with I my corporate job and our growing family, I listened with great interest as he shared the big plans Redmond had to evolve into a vibrant, thriving city. He was thrilled to be part of the early planning work for Downtown Park, Esterra Park, and the first Sound Transit station in Overlake. 

Sadly, he died before any of those projects became a reality. I’ve watched them come to life in the decade he’s been gone. When he was diagnosed with brain cancer, his colleagues at the City were so supportive of him and our family – bringing food, sending cards every week, and even donating their own leave time so we didn’t face financial hardship when he was unable to work. He would have been honored that then-Mayor Marchione did a reading at his funeral and that so many of his beloved colleagues attended. As for me, I’m grateful to all of them for the care they showed him and our family during our time of crisis. 

Now, as a Redmond resident living yet again in the Idylwood neighborhood, just blocks from where I grew up, I find myself dreaming of making a move someday to the Downtown neighborhood. Redmond’s vision for the future as laid out in the “Redmond 2050” comp plan is full of energy and momentum, and I can’t wait to see it come to fruition. The day the two new Redmond train stations opened this past spring I was like a kid in a candy shop – and the train opening is just a small taste of all the exciting things to come. 

One day soon, we’ll all be able to enjoy the large “REDMOND” legacy art installation in Downtown Park. The origin of this new permanent feature may be the 2026 World Cup, but I know we’ll see kids and adults alike kicking their soccer balls around in its shadow for generations to come. 

As for me, I expect that July 19, 2026 – the very day that would have been my late husband’s 55th birthday – will find me joining the festivities at the World Cup Final Community Celebration watch party at Marymoor Park. 

It’ll be a full-circle moment for me, celebrating Redmond being “Ready for the World” right there in the very spot where I kicked my first soccer ball at the age of six. 

- Jenny Lisk, Redmond Resident 

I loved when my wife coached pee-wee soccer 
She had very little experience but it didn’t matter 
She encouraged the kids at each practice and game 
No matter their skills she treated each kid the same 
Her teams were successful in more ways than one 
They always played hard and they always had fun 
We cheered for the team no matter the score 
I loved pee-wee soccer when fun mattered more! 

Soccer in Redmond 
Before the beautiful turf fields 
in Redmond today 
My kids played soccer  
the old-fashioned way 
They ran through mud puddles 
They splattered and splashed 
They gave each game their all 
By the end they were gassed 
Some games went to shootouts 
Each kick was exciting 
Each outcome was final 
Battles done with no fighting 
Every kid on every team 
Really wanted to win 
But the main thing they wanted 
Was to do it again! 

- John Crosley, Redmond Resident 

I started playing soccer around two and a half years ago, after being inspired by the 2022 World Cup. For a long time, I never considered myself as an athlete or sports fan, but soccer was the one sport that truly interested me.  

I joined a Crossfire Recreational team at the start of 8th grade and then tried out for my middle school team. I was voted as team captain, which made me realize how soccer helped me become a better person. Whenever I play soccer, I always feel focused and motivated, even if I’m in a bad match. I feel confident about my skills, and that’s definitely translated into other parts of my life. 

I would say that I watch a lot of soccer, too. I’m mainly a fan of FC Barcelona, and I like the Sounders, of course. I’ve been to three of their matches with my father, including a Club World Cup group stage match against Atletico Madrid and the Leagues Cup Final against Inter Miami. The environment and atmosphere of soccer is something that I really love, and it’s why I’m planning to go into sports marketing when I get older. Overall, soccer is something that really means a lot to me, and I hope it will always be a part of my life in some way or another. 

I’ve lived in Redmond since I was two years old, and I think it’s a very relaxed and calm city. There are all sorts of restaurants, parks, and malls, and it’s like there’s something for everything and anything. Redmond is a city that really respects its environment and people, which is reflected in a lot of its places. The schools here are also really great, and I’m grateful to be able to go to a school that truly helps me learn. I feel like I belong in my school, since everyone’s so friendly and inclusive, which is something I can say about Redmond as a whole. Overall, it’s a great city with great people, and I’m glad that it’s the place where I’ve been living. 

- Rohini Dasgupta, Redmond Resident 

I started soccer when I was in 4th grade. I was reluctant at first, but I found myself loving it. Getting a chance to practice with my soccer team was somewhat the best way to connect with those friends. We helped support each other through game losses and cheered each other on with wins. Soccer is my go-to sport. Soccer isn’t just a sport that requires a person to score goals. It’s about sportsmanship, community, and commitment. We helped support each other throughout our entire seasons and so on. We found new besties along the way and/or become even closer to them than ever! ⚽️❤️WE LOVE SOCCER!!❤️⚽️ 

Redmond plays a role in my life because it has some of the best parks and schools. Plus, it has some amazing people! 

- Harper Shan, Redmond Resident 

My Soccer Journey

It was 1976 and my son, age 5, wanted to play soccer. I was concerned with the traditional male bullying from kids’ coaches, so I decided to be his coach. At age 38 I had no background in soccer since when I was growing up there were no sports available for girls. My husband suggested that if I was to coach a soccer team, I might want to learn something about soccer. Soon after this discussion, as he was running through Marymoor Park, he stopped to watch a women’s soccer team practice. He asked someone if they would like another player. The answer was yes, so I had a team and was learning to play soccer. There were numerous training sessions provided by the state soccer association and I availed myself of all that I heard about. My boys’ team, the Rockets, was doing well in the league, I was enjoying playing soccer, and I was gaining knowledge about soccer. My husband and I were also season ticket holders and avid fans of the Seattle Sounders and loved attending the games; first at Memorial Stadium, then the Kingdome.  

When the boys were 10, they had an opportunity to try out for the Lake Washington Select team. By that time, I had attended a week-long coaching class sponsored and taught by U.S. Soccer coaches and I earned a National C license to coach soccer. I was appointed the new coach for the U11 Lake Washington Boys Select team. At that time there were eight Select teams in Washington State, so we had to travel for many of the games. The following year I attended the B level coaching school held at PLU. Upon arrival I was shocked to discover that, in a class of 50, there were only two women. We were treated with respect by the coaches and fellow attendees. I partnered with Booth Gardener (future Washington governor). Booth had an ankle injury so he didn’t participate on the field, but he could take notes for me.  

During this time, I was teaching at Mercer Island High School. My daughter was playing soccer, both club and school, and I attended all her games which didn’t conflict with my coaching. When she graduated in 1985 there was an opening for the Varsity Girls’ soccer coach at Mercer Island. I was appointed head coach and continued as coach through nine seasons. We were quite successful and played in the 3A championship game in 1991. We lost that game, but I felt it was quite an achievement to reach that game.  

I was still playing soccer but gave up coaching in 1993. Teaching full time and coaching was very exhausting.  

I saw the soccer in the area gain more and more interest and skill over the years. It was interesting to note that when I started coaching there were women coaching girls’ teams (I believe I was the only female coach of a boys team). After Title IX there was equal pay for high school soccer coaches, so men started applying to coach girls’ teams. There was no pay for club coaches while I was involved. There seem to be very few female coaches in soccer or any sport right now. The why of that is pure speculation. The coach for my first team taught me some of the basic skills of soccer. After that I never had a coach with any real soccer knowledge and, since I never really had a team experience, I lacked some of the knowledge of coaching a team. I wish I could have done better in the communication part of coaching. 

My involvement in soccer has brought me joy through the years. I am still an avid Sounders and Reign fan and don’t miss a game on TV. I am delighted that the sport has gained interest, excitement, skill, more followers in this area and across this country. I am grateful that I had the opportunity to part of the soccer movement in this country. 

We moved to Redmond in 1968, and I have lived in this house since then. I have watched the City grow from a small town with one stoplight – where the main store was a feed store – to a thriving city with a shopping mall, several grocery stores, and a new Senior and Community Center. Many changes in those many years. My children grew up here, went to school here, and played soccer here. Marymoor Park had some grass fields which had gouges to cause ankle sprains. New soccer fields at Marymoor, Sixty Acres, Hartman Park, Grass Lawn fields were developed while I was a part of the soccer community. Redmond is home. Not all the changes are what I consider a good thing, but it is still my community; my neighborhood. 

- Dorothy Simpson, Redmond Resident 

I was born in Guadalajara, Mexico, and soccer has always been a part of my life. As a kid, I was either joining street games with friends, watching matches on TV, or going to the stadium to cheer for our local team.

When I became a parent, the game continued to be a big part of our lives — all of my kids played recreational soccer growing up in Redmond. During those years, there was always a need for volunteer coaches in the Lake Washington Youth Soccer (LWYS) recreational program, so I decided to step up and coach one of my kids’ teams. What started as a way to help out, turned into eight wonderful years of coaching, and I even served as president of the Redmond club for LWYS. It was a way for me to give back to my community, spend quality time with my kids, and stay close to the sport I love. 

Even though I didn’t get the chance to play on a team as a child because we couldn’t afford it, I wanted to make sure other kids had that opportunity. That’s why I joined a group of local Redmond moms who created OLE — One League for Everyone, a nonprofit that helps low-income families by covering registration fees and providing uniforms. We also collected new and gently used gear — cleats, balls, and more — and gave them out to kids during registration nights. 

My kids went on to play all through high school, and now I get to enjoy the game as a lifelong fan of the Seattle Sounders, cheering them on faithfully since their first MLS season in 2009. 

I lived and worked in Redmond for 28 years, and it will always hold a special place in my heart. It’s the City where my children grew up where we built lifelong friendships, and where we created countless beautiful memories as a family. Although life recently led me to move to another city, I continue to work and visit Redmond often, especially since my mother and daughter still live here. Redmond gave us a strong sense of community and belonging — gifts that will stay with us forever. 

- Monica Trujillo, Works/Spends Time in Redmond and Former Resident

I've played soccer since I was five years old, from school teams to club level, on to college and then in adult leagues locally. My husband and I met playing co-ed soccer, our first date was at a Sounders game, and we got engaged right outside the Sounders’ stadium. I was inducted into my college’s Hall of Fame for my achievements in soccer, softball and academically. I now also coach our youngest son's soccer team and still try and play at local adult leagues in between my kid's busy sport schedules. 

Soccer has been a big part of my life for a long time. Soccer has taught me discipline, resilience, and teamwork and has helped shape who I am. It has been a source of fulfillment, a way to challenge myself, and a reminder of the importance of hard work and commitment. So many happy memories and personal achievements are connected to soccer. 

Since starting in my role about six months ago, I have been genuinely grateful for the opportunity. I did not know much about the Redmond community before I arrived, but it has quickly become a place I am proud to be a part of. There is a strong sense of connection, collaboration, and shared goals here. It feels like joining a new team – one that cares about making a difference together. Being here feels like a meaningful next chapter in my career of public service, and, just like soccer, it will continue to impact my life in meaningful ways. 

- Lauren Thompson, Executive Department

Soccer has played a prominent role in my life, from growing up playing family soccer in the park, to a brief professional career, to watching my kids play and scheduling vacations around attending soccer matches. I grew up going to Sounders and FC Seattle matches, and watched my parents play into their 50s. Soccer is a common language wherever you go – I’ve played with a Cuban in Canada, a Nigerian in Germany, an Englishman in Kansas City and a Panamanian in Costa Rica. I’ve been lucky enough to attend three World Cups, where Dutch fans turned fountains orange, Brazilian supporters drummed their team to victory, and I witnessed entire countries shut down to watch their teams play for 90 minutes. For me, soccer is an excuse to get together with family and friends, kick the ball around and to support teams at all levels. 

I’ve worked for the City of Redmond for 16 years, primarily working to restore streams and habitat throughout the city. Redmond is located at a unique intersection of a lake, river and a critical salmon stream, Bear Creek. Redmond’s unique location in the landscape has driven restoration and protection efforts for 30 years for the benefit of salmon, wildlife, and people. I’m proud of what the city has done and the ongoing efforts to continue to improve the wild places in Redmond. 

- Tom Hardy, Public Works Department 

xI would love to share a little about my son and the incredible role soccer has played in both his life and mine. 

He first kicked a soccer ball at just three years old at Arena Sports in Redmond. Today, he’s 27 – and that same passion for the game still lives in him. Over the years, he played in countless seasonal tournaments each fall and spring, dedicating himself to practices, games, and the unspoken lessons that come with being part of a team. 

Our lives became intertwined with the rhythm of the game. Fields at Marymoor Park, Grass Lawn Park, and Sixty Acres Park became like second homes – places filled with laughter, competition, muddy shoes, and unforgettable moments. These parks were more than just venues; they were where our family created memories that will last a lifetime. 

What I remember most from those years isn’t just the goals or the wins – it’s the spirit of those days. No matter the weather – rain pouring, winds howling, or sunshine glowing –children played with boundless energy while parents cheered with full hearts. We stood on the sidelines in soaked jackets or under umbrellas, shouting encouragement, sharing snacks, tying shoelaces, and warming cold hands. In many ways, we parents became like kids again ourselves. 

It never really mattered who won. The joy of the game connected us all—players, families, friends, even strangers. Soccer brought so many wonderful people into our lives. It gave us community, friendship, laughter, and the unshakable feeling of belonging to something greater. 

For our family, soccer wasn’t just a sport – it was a way of life. It taught my son discipline, teamwork, and resilience. And for me, it brought immeasurable joy and pride as I watched him grow – not only as an athlete, but as a person. 

Soccer is a beautiful, exhilarating game – for all ages, and for every heart it touches. 

I lived in Redmond for 20 years, and over time, it became more than just a place to call home – it became like a motherland to me, with its beautiful parks, welcoming spirit, and truly unique character. 

I had the privilege of watching Redmond grow and transform over the years. Yet, no matter how much it changed, it never lost its charm. It was never boring – every season brought new beauty, every walk revealed something special, whether it was a quiet trail, a burst of wildflowers, or a glimpse of local wildlife. 

Although life has taken me away from Redmond, a big part of my heart still belongs there. Many of my dear friends still live in the city, and all of them speak with love and appreciation for the life Redmond offers. It’s a place that embraces you with a sense of peace, connection, and belonging. 

I miss my city deeply – its quiet mornings, green spaces, and the comforting feeling of being part of something familiar and beautiful. 

- Alla Glagoleva, Finance Department