Team Brasa

By Michael Brewer

On three occasions I have sat to pen my memories of  30 years in the sport of soccer. Just this evening I came to the simple conclusion that it is not possible to do in one sitting.

Were I to include the brief time I played on a youth team in Redondo Beach, Ca.. that time frame would span 46 years, with some recreational play while in the Marine Corps.

Hard to imagine, but we did slip in some beach soccer at China Beach in Vietnam  during a brief  respite from combat. We played by “Jungle Rules.” No Red Cards allowed!   We told everyone that we played for the University of  South Vietnam Varsity Soccer Team!  Some folks actually believed us! I still have those joke shirts preserved in storage.

One time while traveling with the Amigo’s  Soccer Team, I actually met a man after the match in El Paso, Texas, who was a Vietnam Veteran and remembered those pick up games on China Beach!  We were clearly a minority sport in those days. Not so much anymore.

The memories of evolving with the sport as a youth and high school coach and official in Tucson are jam packed with tons of friendships and a level of camaraderie that rivals that of the  Marine Corps.  Soccer folk have their very own “Semper Fi” and “esprit de corps” that is quite unique to the sport. It would be inappropriate to name all the families I have met over those coaching years, but let it be known, I can not imagine a better way to be involved in a community than to be entrusted with ones children for several months each year.  Twenty four years as a youth coach, with approximately 15 kids each year is 360 families!  Some of those kids, now grown with their own families are friends to this day.  Now that is nostalgia with glue! God love Facebook!

In addition, I was honored to be the AYSO Area Coach Administrator for nine years, certifying 710 coaches. Again, memories of people and fun that will be relished for life.

The hosting of the renown Ken Aston, a former FIFA honoree and World Cup Referee, was a highlight of those glory days.

The captioned picture is of our team named Brasa, that went on to play Club soccer and then remained together in the Adult Leagues. We won innumerable Tournaments over the years, including a  State Championship at the Copper Cup  in 2006. The picture is of our Championship Indoor Team in 2003.  My son and daughter are in the front row. I had the uncommon honor of knowing and coaching some of those team members since they were 9 & 10 years old!   For that, I am a man in full.

Thank you Team Brasa. And thank you Tucson soccer community for some of the best years of my life in the valley.

To be continued.