life after soccer

[rone]

I played my last organized soccer game yesterday (assuming i don't pull a Favre in six months).  Many have asked why i'm retiring.  There are a few reasons:

• About six or seven months ago, i landed hard on my right knee and that turned out to be what was likely a meniscus tear.  Given that this only bothered me when i kneeled, i only skipped a couple of games before getting back to it; playing was occasionally quite painful but not the "shit, i should stop right now" sort of pain.  The structural pain subsided eventually but the surrounding muscles are still a mess, stressing the joint in sporadically unexpected ways.  My right shoulder has also been giving me shit, with some rotator cuff issues that limit my range of motion.
• I had also started playing outdoor soccer in November and in our second or third game, the other team started a fight and their "fans" came onto the field, looking for trouble.  That one really sucked the joy out of the game for me.
• I've been paying the team fees for nearly five years and having people just walk away from the team without letting me know, requiring finding a replacement (or just absorbing the expense), was getting old (as well as dunning my teammates).

Until recently, the game was fun no matter the injuries or the lost money.  But once i recognized that the fun was gone, then everything else got bigger.  I've been playing at Off the Wall for over 8.5 years, and with my current team for nearly 7 years (although only one other guy remained from that original team).  That's plenty.  I had a tough time making my peace with it, but for the last month i've been looking forward to it being over.  And yet i kinda felt like crying as i drove home last night.  Today, though, my knee is bugging me.  So i think i'll be fine with retiring.

Comments

life after soccer

[(Anonymous)]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5HzqoNZMlNo

Good for you for recognizing when the thrill is gone. (And hey, pickup games can be fun, without the wear and tear on body and wallet.)

it is tough

[(Anonymous)]

I agree with your early retirement from the game, but I back you up all the way. I think is very smart of you, even though it is sad. I love you, big hug and kiss, mom

[canetoad.livejournal.com]

Here's a big hug from the east coast. Transitions, even when they make perfect sense, can be difficult.

[peglegpete.livejournal.com]

Moving on is hard, especially when there is a large body of history behind you filled with good things, but I'm glad you're able to leave on your own terms and by your own choice. And I hope you find something even better and more enjoyable next.

[asienieizi.livejournal.com]

Wise decision, overall. Sad, yes, but you need those knees to take you through the rest of your life.

[foomf.livejournal.com]

Just be sure to find something else to keep your physical activity high. Preferably something that will help your knee repair itself.

[2wanda.livejournal.com]

I love you, and I'm proud of you, but I'm glad that I will no longer see you come home every Thursday night with new bruises. *besos*

off topic

[inflectionpoint.livejournal.com]

This is Joanne, we met at dinner for Samus' new job!

And sorry to hear about quitting soccer. My partner's work soccer team was also plagued by flakiness. He is lobolance, on LJ.

maybe come climbing instead?