Soccer Dreams At Pier 40
Kyle, United States
Kyle grew up playing for Downtown United Soccer Club (DUSC), a non-profit youth soccer organization devoted to player development and making the game more accessible in New York City.
Can you introduce yourself and tell us about your soccer journey?
My name is Kyle, I am 12 years old, and I live and play soccer in New York City. I go to school a few blocks from our apartment in Manhattan. I play for Downtown United Soccer Club (DUSC). I also used to play for the Chelsea Piers team. I started playing soccer a decade ago when I was two. I have been playing ever since.
I joined DUSC when I was 3 years old. At that time, the teams were coached by a few dads including my own dad. We played 5v5 on Saturdays, with tiny little nets, and no goalkeeper. My preschool friends and I were on the same team, and all of the dads became really close friends. Some of the kids who were on that team still play soccer together to this day. Another one became a baseball player, and another one moved to the suburbs and now plays (American) football.
My hope for the future is to play soccer on a professional team! I train 4-5 days a week and I play one game every weekend. I am also an MLS Next U13 player.
What did you try to show with the photos? Was there any wider meaning with the photos?
My photos are a reflection of my life playing soccer in New York City. My teammates at DUSC are in the photos. Some of the photos were taken at away games, but most were taken at Pier 40, which is a sports field near my house that feels like a second home to me.
My favorite photo is the team photo. I have spent a decade of my life playing with these kids, and it feels like a family.
My coach Gustavo is very important to me. He has taught me many life lessons, and helped me through many challenges. A key memory I have with him is our team trip to Spain, because we had so much fun, and it was interesting to see how people play soccer in another country.
What impact has DUSC and playing soccer had on you?
Playing soccer at DUSC has taught me a lot - not only how to play soccer, but also how to be a caring and respectful person. Some lessons I have learnt are: believe in hard work, never give up, and never get too comfortable. Soccer has always given me a place to go to where I can have fun and do something productive at the same time.
I love how playing soccer always makes me feel that I am part of a community. What I like most is that I can rely on my teammates, as more than just teammates, but also as friends.
What do you think the future looks like for soccer in New York and the USA? What would you like to change?
The future of soccer in New York and in the USA is bright because it is a growing sport. A lot of people play soccer in New York and a lot of my good friends play soccer for various clubs around the city. Many new teams and leagues have been opening up. I hope soccer becomes huge in the USA so that it is as popular, or more popular, than all the other sports people play in this country.
