by Matthew Hernandez, Age 14

As I lay in bed one night gazing at my glistening trophies, I asked myself "Is soccer a true sport?" I pondered this question for minute upon minute, and still had no clue.

Soon my eyes wandered to the wall, where I saw medals., plaques, awards, and more. I asked myself " Is soccer a true sport?" "Ah well, " I said, "I'll think about it tomorrow."

The next day as I walked home I passed a football field. I said to myself "Well, football is a real sport, I know that." Then I passed a baseball field and basketball court. I said to myself "Well, baseball is a real sport and basketball too." Next, I passed a swimming pool, track field, and golf course. I said to myself "Well, everything there is a real sport, except for golf." But what about soccer, was soccer truly a sport? I did not know.

The next night I had a soccer game. I would find out there, or I would never find out. As I got ready for the game I stared at the numerous trophies and such. I arrived at the field, began to warmup, and pondered my question when "wwweeeiiippp," the whistle sounded. I took my position and readied to play. The action began! Two minutes into the game it began to pour and then the rain turned to sleet. We continued to play. The game was stopped. The game was stopped and a player was carried off the field on a stretcher. The game resumed and was soon stopped again. A child with a broken nose was escorted off to the sidelines in pain...what a wimp. The game began again. My teammates eyes filled with hatred for the other team as the battle raged on. The field was bloodied and the players were dropping like flies. The half ended and we left the field aching and cold. The field was now one big mud puddle. I pulled grass blades out of open cuts as the coach yelled, and I realized the truth had been out there the whole time. Soccer is more than a true sport, it is life, it is a legacy.