9 v 11 Against all Odds

5-11-25 Opas vs Sidekicks

There is something about me that can get lost in “in being early” and not being on time! I was up and at um like a champ at 6am and didn’t have to leave until 9am. Pounding coffee and mentally preparing for Opas vs Sidekicks, knowing we would possibly have a lucky 9 players. By the time I made it out the door I had cut my morning yoga and meditation short and still got to the field later than I planned.

As I am making my way out the door, I am literally having an out loud argument with “myself.” Or “with” a former player who I know is going to have an opinion on my newest CiCi Collection t-shirt design “Save Women’s Sports” I have finished the night before. I am actually speaking outload my rebuttal to what I know is going to be a close minded ignorant argument.

“How dare you judge me! Label me! I work in the fashion industry. Do you have any idea how many gays, and transgenders live in my heart, are apart of my fashion family? The matter at hand is the physicality of a man. If a man isn’t happy with how God made him, change it. We live in a modern world with the technology to change that if you like. So do it! Be happy be you. However, don’t think for one minute you are entitled to step on the playing field with women when you have the build of a man. It is morally wrong and dangerous to women as we are already seeing serve injuries. Yes, life is unfair and in no is this “excluding.” Shit, I would want more than anything to play for AC Milan in the Seri A. Not happening, life can be unfair. I deal with it.

The true point at hand, a transgender male model and a female model are not going up for a 50/50 ball in the middle of the runway where one of them is ending up on the floor. As for backstage, that’s a whole different story, they can be fierce if you have stepped on and scuffed their stiletto. It is a true matter of physical strength. Okay so Bill Belichick’s girlfriend is losing votes to a transgender. Well then step your makeup game girl, get more firm breasts you both bought them.” CONTUINED IN THE BOOK, BUY IT! OUT HOLIDAYS 2025.

I am somewhat in my right mind knowing this foe conversation and overthinking is definitely what makes me a bit crazy and absolutely why I must play ball, I must channel, that somewhere. However, it is something I am very passionate about. Also, a fear of mine to be heard, stand true and tall. My abusive childhood has made me so bottled up I fear being judged. When in reality why? I am a loner I don’t even like being around people past the pitch and the runway. This is a very new time in my life when I am over so many things, people and embracing and exposing my realest version to the world.

I knew I had to check out of this and save it for the field. I threw on my usual #YouTube Jay-Z workout mix and locked in. When I got to the field parking was a bitch and I ran into Tosh, the opposing center back who gave me a wave and a smile. I loved that. The history between these two teams is real and very raw out there. Most certainly in the past due to me. I play to compete, not make friends, go for brunch after, I am here to ball!

Yet another piece of me I am trying to embrace is playing nice, lol. My career is coming to a point where I continue to see the same faces, a level of ladies that are here to ball but there aren’t many of us so it turns into a family sort of situation. Besides, I do like these girls, the Sidekick organization. They were the only ones still playing of some sort through COVID. They opened the opportunity to the Div 1. Of the EMWSL. I was the only one from any other team who showed up. I most certainly have a special place for these girls forever in my heart on top of being talented players, they are down ladies. One I have sort of mended a long standing beef with but that story of us both receiving a red card at the end of the game is one for the full book, buy it!

As I roll onto the field, I see my faithful four teammates and not the questionable opposing player, I know its going to be a good day. Well, all things considered. It was established the prior Sundays game our first win of the season against Azzurri that we were not going to have enough players to field a team. Everyone was away for Mother’s Day.

Well, we scrapped together eight all week on team snap and managed to have a nineth surprise us. I had actually texted the opposing teams captain the night before for a heads up. Also assuring this newly amazing mama, “You know Coach Pete, we will play.” As we met in the middle with the ref both as representing captains she asked, “ so what do you want to do?” I replied, “lets play!” She smiled and we went back to our sides to begin Opas vs Sidekicks.

This is where a moment of silence would take place, here I will give it. I found out earlier in the week that a former teammate had passed away. Absolutely gut wrenching, she was maybe 30. She passed away from thyroid cancer. I had no idea she was evening going through this, I hadn’t seen her in sometime. Facebook popped up her passing the second I opened the app, the world we live in! It was posted by her wife and I scrolled her page immediately to find she had been in the hospital having her surgery pushed, days, then a week, her frustration of waiting for help ended.

She was such a force of the field or shall I say between the posts. A solid goalie and that competitor mentality, I loved playing with her. Also, a genuine heart to the game. Instead of flowers friends and family were asked to make donations to Saugus Youth Soccer. Exactly what she would have wanted.

So, Amy, “This lace up was for you girl! I took the pitch with you in my heart. Your tenacity reined down on our team today. A field player had to step in net and performed like she had been passed the talent. Thank you for hoping in the game. Blessed to get one last match in with you.”

We started with eight being one player was at the wrong location. We made a good start of it being our usual center back and miraculous goalie were out. We played a 3-4-2 we sometimes we kept going from 8 players to 9 players. I started up top which I have my issues with. I am not a forward, not a center one. I am a left midfielder! Done please and thank you. Yes, I score goals yes, I can play left back. Coach Peter and I rarely see eye to eye. I play where I am put and we gave what we had. We even recruited and registered Pete’s daughter Elise who played for the team years ago but apparently moved on to frisbee football. I almost died at halftime when she told me that. I get pissed when I see them taking up field space, we need permits for soccer! After yesterday, I stand corrected on my opinion. Elise absolutely killed it. Played well, hard and physical. It was a pleasure to have her in the battle.

We had a few attacking plays and were doing well getting possession back and playing the ball to feet out of our defense where a good portion of the match was played. I was already thinking I may offer to play goal, being something was up with my ride side. The prior Sundays match my right Achilles was hurting which tuned into my whole right leg over the week. Odd being that’s not an issue for me, although I have plenty. I have been playing with a torn meniscus in my right knee for two years now. My orthopedic said the stress and recovery of surgery to my body wouldn’t be worth it at this stage in my career. This is the final chapter tat seems to keep going, lol.

I hadn’t had the best workouts that week due to some actual soccer stress. Stewing over the decision I was having to make. Nor did I warm up properly that game being I made it seconds before kick off coming from and crying at my last game coaching my 2015 girls. I love them! Spent extra time pulling them aside one by one letting them know they can play pro soccer, to work hard and it will happen. Pure ballers, still children being my little star nugget asked me at practice that week if I love her. She’s, not a softy either a player who knows too much from her big sister at this age and an attitude… I hugged her and said, “yes!”

We are taking a short detour; I coach to mold ballers and be a mentor. It’s nowhere near livable income! I have always prided myself on being a strong woman that will never degrade myself. Shit I walked out on a waitress job in a sports bar once because they wouldn’t put on a LIVE uswnt game. I waved, tossed my apron and walked to the North End where the game was put on for me! I recently again have had to make a statement… CONTUINED IN THE BOOK, out holidays 2025.

I knew I wasn’t going to get us any offense, being our only hope was for a through pass and a breakaway. I also knew being concerned for my right leg I was sure as hell was NOT going into any 50/50 balls with Tash, their center back. She’s a force I was not going to recon with. I pulled Julia, who was playing in the center mid something or another, to go up top. Worked out well she got through their defense a bit more than I did and my leg was down for all the damn running. A newbie to the team Lindsey who is a beast that runs through anything sent me out to left midfielder and pulled the outside player in. THANK YOU, GOD I am not a central player. I had great through balls from there.

The half end 1-0 and we walked back to Masten who was killing it in the goal yet a much needed midfield forward when we have a full team. The vibe at half was exactly why I still put my body through this shit! At half Pete said, “so what are we going to do”  “I said play!” He laughed and said we will die no one can play a full 90. I was so jazzed and all over the place on such a high. So was the team. We knew what we had already accomplished and wanted more. Checking back into reality, I went over to the other team and asked for a 35 min half.  

We all get back out there in the same sort of formation we had ended the half. The match seemed to take a notch up to literal battle. A game with Sidekicks is always known for a bit of a physical bout on both sides. Yet this one was different. None of it was intentional, nor was there hostel Ness or animosity. We all had a few laughs here at there at as always, the damn ref. Yet the level of play was pure raw athleticism.

Opas refusing to make it an easy win, putting our bodies on the line, find five minute spans of offense and corner kicks. Sidekicks, getting pissed that a team who practices twice a week is only up 2-0 in the 60th minute on Mumm okay goals. It was football at its finest. Athletes there to represent why we all play the game.

It was such a game, both teams fought for “Il Bel Gioco,” the beautiful game. It ended in a 4-0 win for Sidekicks yet we, Opas walked away feeling like champions. We all shook hands and smiled after. Every single one of us enjoyed walking off the pitch the way we all did. Shout out to Rose! Who told me the night before all she wanted for mother’s day was to play. I gave her a dap and told her glad she got her game, its her day!

This is why I ball. I sat on the field for some time after enjoying the sun and most certainly stretching. My spring chicken days are far gone. I thought about how I have no specific plans; I actually have the day off although plenty to do and t-shirts to design. Thought about how nice it would be to spend a gorgeous Sunday afternoon walking the city, out to brunch, at an afternoon party.

Those thoughts were short lived knowing, I am not normal and I am blessed not to be. Sure, spending the Sunday with my family most players do but I was abandoned by 11 so it is what is it with me not having, parents, or a family to eat Sunday dinner with. I mange! I actually love my life, thankful for it. Back to the beginning, life isn’t fair but it is what you make of it.

Instead of that simple Sunday, I spent another 40 minutes in the gym. Cyro chamber, red light, massage chair and a tiny bit of strength. I will be honest, when I got home it took me a good ten minutes to peel myself out of the car. When I hopped in the shower, I was tired, sore yet I wanted more. I wanted to go back. Do it all over again. I wanted exactly everything a had a few hours prior to be everything every day and even in more sore state wanted it NOW!

Maybe it is an illness something that no doctor can cure. I can’t expect the average to understand my sick mind that feeds on the field. Okay, I can live with the judgments. Tuck me away down the rabbit hole with the mad hatter, just make sure the Queen has a proper pitch please.