Growing up in the USA, soccer was never the most popular sport. Unlike traditional American pastimes such as football, baseball, or basketball, soccer often found itself in a secondary position. I dabbled in those other sports, but soccer was the one that stuck with me.
My love for soccer was nurtured by my German dad and family, especially my opa. Reflecting on it, it wasn’t necessarily the technical aspects of the game that created this bond. It wasn’t just the act of kicking the ball or scoring a goal. While those moments of success were thrilling, they weren’t the main reasons. It was something deeper that transcended the sport itself. It was about the memories, the love, and the connection it fostered with my friends, family, and community. The passion came from times spent kicking the ball with my dad and opa in our cul-de-sac in Charlotte, North Carolina, and the summer days in Germany playing with friends and watching the national team in the evenings.
Soccer has remained a way for me to connect with people as I moved from Charlotte to Switzerland and back, eventually settling in Washington. Now a sophomore at Peninsula High School, I’ve made many friends through my high school and club teams. For me, the love for a sport is more about the people and memories associated with it than the game itself. Youth sports offer more than just fitness; they provide a place to connect with the community and create lasting memories. They also teach values like hard work and respect through competition.
I started playing premier soccer for Harbor Premier in 2021 and experienced both positive and negative moments under different coaches and team cultures. There were times when pressure and struggles made me hate the game. This sentiment was shared by many of my peers. Youth sports can sometimes make you lose the love for the game that brought you to it.
In May, Harbor Soccer hired a new director, Jason McGlothern, whose philosophy and German background intrigued me. McGlothern, a former Elite Clubs National Coach at PacNW soccer club in Tukwila, emphasizes the importance of culture in a soccer club. Born in Germany, he also learned to love the game from his opa.
McGlothern moved to Washington at five and played for clubs like PacNW, Eastside FC, and later the Sounders Academy. In 2010, he spent a year with the academy of 1. FC Nuremberg in the Bundesliga. His journey taught him many lessons he now applies to coaching and directing. He shared that even at a high level, it’s easy to lose sight of why you started playing. “When I got to Germany with 1. FC Nuremberg, you start to forget the days you played just because you purely loved the game.”
At Harbor, McGlothern aims to develop a culture that instills values and prepares players for life. He believes that winning is a byproduct of development and emphasizes nurturing a love for the game. “We’re always looking to be the best, but winning isn’t development.”
Playing youth sports means different things to different people. For some, it’s a fun pastime; for others, it’s a full-time commitment that may lead to professional or collegiate athletics. Soccer, cherished by millions worldwide, offers a joyful experience to many in our community.
As I approach the end of my time at Harbor Premier and Peninsula High School, I hope to contribute to a culture that fosters positive values and a love for the game.
Jonas Koller is a sophomore at Peninsula High School.
Source: keypennews
