Rent We All Wore Blue

Synopsis

What started out as a simple invitation for a young African boy to join a soccer practice somehow turned into this remarkable story of a youth soccer team representing sixteen different countries and a myriad of of assorted races and religions; transforming this team from the "bad news bears" of youth soccer, having not won a single game in their first three years to going on to win two Washington State Championships. But this is getting ahead of ourselves. Jamal, the young boy, having just come to the U.S. after spending his early life in a Kenyan refugee camp, was invited to join this white, middle class suburban soccer team. He'd played soccer before, but never with a real ball. He'd only kicked around a bundle of rags tied together, a discarded can or anything else that would respond to a swift kick. He had heart and some athleticism, but not much else. However, he had great fun with his new team and soon his younger brother, Yaqub was invited on as well. It wasn't long before the two boys began to tell others in their ESL (English as a second language) class about the new team their new team. Soon, a boy from Nepal wanted in, then a boy from the Netherlands, then China, then Fiji, Gambia and more joined the team. Most of these immigrant boys had little, if no formal soccer experience, but they all shared a profound love for the game. Few of the families could afford to pay the high costs associated with youth soccer. However, the Coach didn't want money to get in the way of the boys playing a game that they all loved, so he paid their way and the families, repaid his kindness by cooking incredible foods from their native country. Within a few years, this team, had somehow transformed from an ordinary white suburban team into a racially, religiously and culturally diverse group of boys all working together towards a common cause. The families all bonded as well. This rag-tag group, with every disadvantage in the book, ended up becoming one of the top soccer teams in the State of Washington. But soccer is only a part of the story. The true wins, were the deep friendships that developed among these radically different young men and their families. It is about seeing past the differences, which are obvious, and discovering the similarities that are just as obvious, if we look for them. We All Wore Blue is the true account of a coach who was a coach on the field and a friend and mentor off the field. It's the story of a team coming together, seeing past their differences and in fact, celebrating their differences and thereby achieving the seemingly impossible. Even though a decade has passed since the team played their last game together, the boys (now men) consider their years playing for FC Shoreline International, as some of the most impactful and transformational times in their lives. The story of We All Wore Blue is truly inspirational and will surely be enjoyed by all; those who have played, coached or been involved with any youth sport and especially those who love the "beautiful game", soccer.

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