TEAM OF THE MONTH 
Chinook FC

Division: O-40 D1
Managers: Jon Bailey & Jeff Franich

How was your team formed, and how long has it been in the GSSL?

Jon: Jeff Franich started this team 25 years ago with his high school friends and is still currently involved in ensuring the team has great people and solid soccer players.  Currently we are continuing Jeff’s dream as he has taken a step back to focus on other activities in his life.   

How did you name your team?

Jon: Jeff is a huge fisherman and loves the Chinook fish and logo.

Does your team have any main rivals?

 Rivals…  No, but we are very competitive with a few teams and over the years we have become close friends with several people / teams. 

Why do you choose to play in the GSSL?

Jon: Greater Seattle Soccer League is highly organized with fantastic fields for us to play on.  The people we work with through the GSSL are always honest, fair and great at communicating back to the managers in a timely fashion   

What are your goals as a team?

Jon: Our most important goal is the we have a GREAT group of guys that get along and want to have a time. We enjoy being competitive no matter who are playing and really enjoy winning too.  

The best thing about playing for your team is?

Jon: The people by far.  A lot of us have started to hang out side of our Wednesday night soccer league and the team really enjoys getting a beer after our games.

What is your team philosophy?

Jon: Get a great group of people together and have fun on the field and off!

F.T.I. 

DIVISION: MON O-30 D1
MANAGER: Scott Gibson

Scott: I formed the team back in 1990 after having the same team in the open division for 10 years before that in the GSSL.  We all played together for 10 years and in college or against each other in college.

GSSL: does your team have any main rivals?

Scott: Our main Rivals would be Romania, Pizzuto’s SC, and Fusion over the years.

GSSL: What are your goals as a team?

Scott: Our goals as a team are to continue to win the league Fall, Winter and Spring session, which I think we do a pretty good job. 

GSSL: The best thing about playing for your team is?

Scott: The best thing about playing for our team is going out for beers and food after we play Monday night.  I think the players enjoy that more than the soccer at times. We all have fun, and look forward to it every week.  I think also playing with a bunch of guys that know how to play soccer, have fun playing and know how to win.  The players know their role on the team and what they need to do to win every week. 

GSSL: What is your team philosophy?

Scott: My team’s Philosophy is to:

• Win every week,
• Have fun winning every week,
• Try to get everyone in the game to help the team win,
• Put the players in the right positions,
• Get 11 players out every week,
• Adjust our players or formation during the game to help the team win, and
• The team knows that as a manager, I will do what I have to do to help the team win every week, so we can go out for beers and food after the game!

 Seattle Assault FC

DIVISION: MON O-30 D2
MANAGER: Cameron Voetman

GSSL: How was your team formed and how long have you been with the GSSL?

SAFC: Our team, Seattle Assault FC was formed back in 2008, and our first season with the Greater Seattle Soccer League was the Winter of 2009. We began in D-4 of the open division.

We’re going into our 9^th year with the GSSL, and this Winter will be our 32^nd season with the club (we used to take the Summer off).

Of the 18-original players, 6 continue to play with the team.

GSSL: Does your team have any main rivals?
SAFC: Early Rival (D4-D2 Open)

FC Spare Tire was a key rival for us in the early seasons.  They were a very established club, well organized, and they had their own website back in 2009!

Mid-Rival (D2-D1 Open)

Quattro Formaggio was our next rival.  We got to know the guys well and battled it out quite often through our open days.  As we moved up to O-30’s their team morphed through a few teams and now most of their players, who still play, play with Sin Fire in the O-30s. 

Current Rivals (D2 O-30s)

As of late it’s been Pars-30 and Steel & Silk FC.  It’s always great to see good competition on the schedule and no matter how the season is going for either of us it seems our teams step it up a little extra when we play each other. 

GSSL: Why do you choose to play in the GSSL?

SAFC: We started playing in the GSSL back in 2009 because a few of our players had played in the open division and thought it was one of the better run leagues around.  We’ve stayed with GSSL because of the attentive staff, the good schedules, the solid refs, and a good competition level.

GSSL: What are your goals as a team?

SAFC: Our goals haven’t changed.  When a few of us were coming back home from college we wanted a good reason to hangout and see our buddies on a regular basis.  Our team was formed with good comradery at the core.  There have been moments in our history as we moved from D4 open to D1 open, and similarly hovered around D2 O-30s and D1 O-30s, where we had the opportunity to choose extremely talented players with bad attitudes or good players that you’d want to play soccer with and then go have a beer with.  Not to say we don’t have talented players but we’ve always opted for someone you wanted to hang with on and off the field as opposed to the ‘win at all costs’ goal. 

GSSL: The best thing about playing for your team is?

SAFC: We’ve been fortunate to have a good core of consistent players.  We’ve grown as a team and while we’ve had some trying seasons we’ve done more than our fair share of winning as well.  But those are things I think about as a manager.  The players would probably say the best thing is that each week we get to come out with a good group of guys, who are well organized, and play against another team, give it our all for 90 minutes, and still want to hang out post-game and talk about both things on the pitch and catch-up with life in general. 

GSSL: What is your team’s philosophy?

SAFC: Comradery and fun are our two core tenants…but you also must be competitive (otherwise just start a jogging group).  So, while it’s not an official motto many of our player would tell you we often say, “We’re here to have fun, but remember…winning is fun!”

DIVISION: WED 0-40 D1
MANAGER: CHRIS ZERVAS

(picture includes FTI 0-40, 0-50 and 0-55)

Our Over-40 team was formed about 15 years ago. We decided to form a competitive team with guys that fit together and were committed to playing together for a long time. We have maintained the core team but have added players on our roster slowly over the years as players move to a different location or stopped playing because of injuries or other commitments.  It is also a group that gets together regularly for events that also include spouses and children.  We participate in a number of annual tournaments of which the families are also invited, and attend.

GSSL: How did you name your team?

We took the FTI name because an Over-30 team existed and many of our players were recruited from that team. We are now sponsoring an Over-50 team as many of our original players are now over 50 and 55.

GSSL: Does your team have any main rivals?

 It varies over the years but teams such as “The Kells”, “FC Roosters”, “The Nets” and “Chinook” have traditionally been some of our main rivals.

GSSL: Why do you choose to play in the GSSL?

 It’s the only quality league around

GSSL: What are your goals as a team?

Have fun, win and participate in the mandatory 3^rd half

GSSL: Fill in the blank: The best thing about playing for your team is …?

Division: WED 0-40 D4
Manager: Jeremy Rudo

FC Slabs started as [the palindrome] Ohcanabalslabanacho in Eugene, Ore., in 1989. Six members of the team moved up to Seattle and reformed the team in 1994.

GSSL: What inspired your team name?
Back in Eugene, the team was made up of a bunch of pot-smoking hippies. Some of the guys were smoking weed and creating palindromes and came up with the name Ohcanabalslabanacho. We shortened it to FC Slabs when the team reformed in Seattle. We have also been known as FC Slabs Good Times Co-Op,FC Slabs Co-Rec and FC Slabs Orange Pylons. Our current name, FC Slabs Unitard, reflects our appreciation of fine arts, and in particular, ballet.

GSSL: What is your team motto? United We Are One!

GSSL: Does your team have any rivals? Clubber Lang

GSSL: Why do you choose to play in the GSSL?
No one else would take us. Actually, we were in Co-Rec for years. But an episode regarding a game refund made us question its moral integrity. We feel we were owed a refund for a canceled game that never came, so out of principle we left, joined GSSL, and renamed the team FC Slabs. Co-Rec Owes Us $35.

GSSL: What are your goals for the team?
To come out of a game with a shred of our dignity still intact.

GSSL: What is the best thing about playing for your team?
“Practice” after games. What we lack in talent on the pitch, we make up for in the beer-drinking at the bar after the games. And the lasting friendship and team camaraderie we built up over the years.

Division: WED O-40 D4
Manager: Doug Schmidt

GSSL: How was your team formed, and how long has it been in the GSSL?

The Bainbridge Island Blues were formed in 1974 (same year as the Sounders!) by a group of local soccer enthusiasts.  There were not a lot of opportunities for competitive matches in those days, so they joined the Washington State Soccer League (which became the GSSL later) and we have been in the league continuously since then.  Several of these founders are still around and some still play occasionally.  The Blues were the first team in the GSSL to have a female player (everybody in over-40’s knows Linda Yasutake) over 11 years ago, and she has been with the team continuously since then.

GSSL: How did you name your team?

It was a joke at first.  The team always wore white jerseys, and so they thought it would be funny to be named, “The Blues”.  Eventually (many years ago), we switched to blue as our primary jersey colors and keep white as our alternate.

 GSSL: Does your team have any main rivals?

Not really.  In the past, there was an inter-island rivalry with the Red Zingers, but we have not been in the same age division for many years and in fact, many older players from both teams join together to form Bainbridge United (O-60).  Actually, we now have an annual Blues-Zingers game and social gathering during the summer break.  15 years ago, that would have been unfathomable.

GSSL: Why do you choose to play in the GSSL? 

The GSSL is hands-down the best adult soccer league in the country.  Because of the size of the league and its organization, a team can “grow old in soccer” together if they so choose (as we have for the last 15 years or so), moving up and down in divisions of play according to our team’s composition and current skill levels.  We love the league, and several of us have GSSL tattoos over our hearts.  OK, I lied about that, but I’ve often thought about it. 

GSSL: What are your goals as a team?

These days, having everyone walk off the pitch relatively intact, having played our best and making the ferry on time…with opportunity for an adult beverage or two is a lofty goal.  Most weeks we manage to accomplish one or two of those goals.  Of course, we prefer to win every week but it seems a good game is more important than a “W” these days. 

GSSL: Fill in the blank: The best thing about playing for your team is?

I would say that the best thing about playing for the Bainbridge Island Blues is the friendship and close relationships I have developed over the years with members past and present.  We spend a lot of time together on and off the pitch, at parties, Sounders games, community events, riding the ferry to and from Seattle etc.  Bainbridge Island has a strong and thriving soccer culture and it is an honor to be part of it. 

The Bainbridge Island Blues logo was created by the late Jim Williamson, may he rest in peace.

Division: TUE Co-Rec D1
Manager: Reed Miller

Division: WED 0-40 D1 
Manager: Brannon Wilson – but we never see him, only emails. We’re not sure he is real?

The team was formed originally back in 1989, a few years after the McAleese family opened KELLS Irish Pub & restaurant in Seattle (1983). We first used rugby shirts as our jerseys.

GSSL: Does your team have any rivals?

All teams that step on the pitch with us.

GSSL: Why do you choose to play in the GSSL?

Where else would we play?

GSSL: What are you team goals?

Our goals are to win and drink!

GSSL: The best thing about playing with your team?

The friendships, camaraderie and the KELLS family (beers and the winning tradition).

 Sodfathers

Division: TUE Co-Rec D2
Manager: Mark Wilkerson

Mark: We formed in early 2012 when I posted a message on the Columbia City Parents email group looking for players, and heavily recruited at my son's school. We played our first season indoors at Starfire. As we added to the roster, we moved to 8v8, then to Co-Rec's Tuesday night men's league. We've been with GSSL since the summer of 2016, after Co-Rec folded. We are all dad's in the Rainier Valley (98118 zip code and immediate vicinity), though we have a 2 'DP' rule - for players of exceeding character, and/or who's pub performance is exceptional.

GSSL: How did you name your team?

Mark: Our name is inspired by the movie, 'The Godfather'. The game is played on 'sod'. We are fathers, Co-rec's team name rules forced us to drop 'The' from the name. So, there you go.

GSSL: Does your team have any main rivals?

Mark: Possibly Keg Workers of America. They are another team made of lots of guys (and some dads) from our area, and they were often in our Co-Rec division. I think we've dropped more games to them, so it makes winning sweeter.

GSSL: Why do you choose to play in the GSSL?

Mark: We had discussed moving to GSSL a bit even before Co-Rec folded, but the player card requirement was a barrier for us. Now that we're over that hump, we appreciate losing the more onerous Co-Rec rules. And there is more room for us to move to find appropriate competition. We joke about counting the days until our 38-year-old 'baby' is old enough so we can move to the over-40 division.

GSSL: The best thing about playing for your team is?

Mark: We gather at the Hummingbird Saloon in Columbia City after every game. We scrimmage on bye weeks, and then go to the "Bird". Last winter, we had our first annual Sodfather ski weekend at Crystal Mountain. We're planning to march in the annual Rainier Valley Heritage Parade in August. It's an incredible group of guys, and the team really functions as a soccer-oriented dad's support group.

GSSL: What are your goals as a team?

Mark: Help each other survive fatherhood.

 Goal Diggers

Division: SUN Open D2B
Manager: Leon Pellicer

- It was formed for the Fall season 2016 in D4 when Cindy Mitalas and Jordan James (our fantastic keeper now) organized a player tryouts in Capitol Hill to form a new team for the D-4 Sunday open division. A total of about 18 players showed up and after some fun drills and a pickup game, the Diggers were formed with so much diversity that it has always been fun to be a part of and so enriching! After the team was formed, Jordan unfortunately could not play with us for the first 3 seasons but we are now stoked and super proud to have him as part of our Summer season team. After the Fall season in 2016 in D4, we transitioned to D3 for the Winter season and to 2B for the Spring season where we had our toughest one so far and therefore, we are still in D2B for this Summer.

GSSL: How did you name your team?

- I honestly DO NOT know! When I took the team (a week or 2 after our "try outs") it was already named the "Goal Diggers" so we kept that name :)

GSSL: Does your team have any main rivals?

- Mmmm, I guess you could say that some of the best games/rivalry that we had in D4 was vs. The Bandits. Then in D3 it was Tim Team (the last game of that season was a fantastic match 4-4). In D2B it has definitely been Finn Hill United; I think we've played them 3 or 4 times already and they're always very intense matches; they are a great team with great players and even better individuals - definitely a "healthy rivalry" exists between Finn Hill and Goal Diggers.

GSSL: Why do you choose to play in the GSSL?

- We believe is one of the best organized leagues in the Seattle Area for sure and the board and organizers are awesome to work with - very nice, caring, organized and communicative. Also, the variety and diversity of the league, the referees, all the teams and team members are fantastic - true sports and camaraderie all around.

GSSL: What are your goals as a team?

- Well, we've came a few divisions up in about 9 months and our next natural goal is to pursue D1 within the next season or 2. But most importantly, our goals are: first) to be the best team that we can be within our abilities and resources and always strive for constant improvement; secondly) to be as cohesive as possible, not just as a soccer team but as individuals and people of good and c) to stay healthy, in good shape, out of trouble and with a fun motivation to look forward every week - to stay engaged and excited about the game and live in general, soccer does help a lot! :)

GSSL: Fill in the blank: The best thing about playing for your team is …?

- The people. We are such a tight group that cares for each other and that understands each other. We all know that everyone is doing their best in the pitch and that each player has the best interest of the team in mind when we're in that beautiful soccer rectangle... We push each other with respect to be better and better every week; we analyze our opportunities as a team and everyone has a voice. Again, we're such a diverse group of good individuals and EVERYONE contributes some to the greater whole... We're just very lucky, humbled and proud to be "The Goal Diggers" and belong to a great soccer league in the PNW - WE LOOOVE THE GAMEEE!!! 

 George & Dragon Pub FC

Division: WED O-40 D3
Manager: Steve Chick

 Steve: George & Dragon Pub team was formed many years ago and we joined Greater Seattle Soccer League in 1995.

Steve: The team was originally named by brokers who often visited the pub. They decided the team would be named George & Dragon, then became the Rocksport (a bar in West Seattle), and then changed back to George & Dragon Pub FC.

GSSL: Why do you choose to play in the GSSL? 

Steve: We were looking for strong and competitive opponents. After some research we found that The Greater Seattle Soccer could offer that to our team. We've been known to complain a little loud, but that's because everyone plays with heart and passion.

 Flying Hellfish

Division: SUN Open D1
Manager: Adam French 

Adam: It's been a team since 2000.  It was run by an older brother of my best friend, Bob Robison, and his college friends.  Over time, my friend, Jon Robison, took over as manager and the next generation of guys started playing.  Then about 6 years ago, I took over as team manager.  There's been a core group of guys since the beginning.  We've always been in division 1 or 2.  For the past 16 years.

GSSL: How did you name your team? 

 Adam: Its named based on the Simpsons.  It was grandpa simpson and Mr. Burns WWII army troop.

GSSL: Does Flying Hellfish have any main rivals?

Adam: Too many to list over the past 16 years.

GSSL: Why do you choose to play in the GSSL?

Adam: Its always been a fun, laid back league that fits our members well.  The leadership and referees have always been good to us.

GSSL: What are your goals as a team?

 Zelus Calcio

Division: SUN Open D2A
Manager: Stefano Rampazzo

GSSL: How was your team formed, and how long has it been in the GSSL?

GSSL: How did you name your team?

Pat: Zelus (as an acronym) can also be broken down into our core club values of the following:

• Zeal
• Enthusiasm
• Loyalty
• Unity
• Strength

GSSL: Does Zelus have any main rivals?

Pat: Given our brief history as a team, we haven’t established any solid rivalry matches. Some of us come from the ECS club so its always fun to play against them as they are consistently a talented squad.

GSSL: Why do you choose to play in the GSSL?

Pat: The location of the games is really convenient. We’ve witnessed a decline in competitive play at a comparable competing league over the years.

GSSL: What are your goals as a team?

Pat: We want to win the top division. Expanding the club to a second team is always in the cards, but we’re still generating a solid core of players for just one team. Establishing a distinct style of play is also important for the team and we work hard to make that style come to life.

 ZFC

Division: MON O-50 D1
Manager: Michael Thomas

Michael: Our team started in Fall of 1984. At that time, we [weren't aware] the GSSL was around so we started in the WSSL Open division. We think it was the sometime in 1985/86 we started our longtime relationship [with the GSSL]. It’s been an eventful and beneficial journey ever since.

In 1984 following some college graduations, Rich Warlick pulled the team together from a collection on past school mates, teammates, and just few good friends who have a love of the sport. You can say our team started on the bonds of good friendships and is what has held us together for all these years.

GSSL: How did you name your team?

Michael: It started with our first sponsor, a company called Zetec whose home office was in Issaquah. So we started as Zetec Football Club. A number of years later, that alignment ended but we stayed with the ZFC as our team name. We now have over 30 years referencing this as our identity. Every now and then we’ll hear a tenured opponent still reference us as Zetec.

GSSL: Does ZFC have any main rivals?

Michael:  We’ve been playing so long that it seems like there have been a lot of rivals lasting through the decades and divisions. Probably the teams seeming to have had the longest tenure, similar to ourselves, have been FTI, the Kings and the Rebels. There are others but those are teams with which it is easy to recognize their consistent presence and competitiveness over the decades.

GSSL: Why do you choose to play in the GSSL?

Michael: We’ve been with GSSL since its beginning and have appreciated the competitiveness of the teams that also have rallied to the league. The logistical options for age groups and divisions also suited us well as we transitioned from our 20s, 30s, 40s and into our 50s. I’ll leave the rest of the age reference alone. Also, the league has been well-run and responsive to player feedback. Given these reasons, it seems like the best place to be for a men’s league.

GSSL: What are your goals as a team?

Michael: Our goals have always been to be competitive and have fun. More specifically, it has been to maintain a bond of friendship that goes beyond the Full 90 and often moves to the closest post-game beverage establishment. After so many years, we’ve pretty much have our favorite pubs identified for any given field we play on.

GSSL: Fill in the blank: The best thing about playing for ZFC is … ?

Michael: ...  the ‘band of brothers’ kinship (more the Henry V reference*) we have. The deep fellowship and social aspect that has gone well past the sideline or the 90 minutes of battle inside it. Well, that, and sometimes someone treats us with another pitcher!

* Henry V reference:

This story shall the good man teach his son;
And Crispin Crispian shall ne'er go by,
From this day to the ending of the world,
But we in it shall be remembered-
We few, we happy few, we band of brothers;
For he to-day that sheds his blood with me
Shall be my brother; be he ne'er so vile,
This day shall gentle his condition;
And gentlemen in England now a-bed
Shall think themselves accurs'd they were not here,
And hold their manhoods cheap whiles any speaks
That fought with us upon Saint Crispin's day.

 Team Audi Classics O-55s

Division: THU O-55 D3
Manager: Ken Burbick

Ken: Fall 2009 was our first season.

A lot of players from the O-50 Audi Relics team decided to move up to the O-55 bracket.

GSSL: How did you name your team?

Ken:  We have been sponsored ( mostly jerseys) by the Greater Seattle Audi dealerships for 20 years.  The "Classics" referred to the "older" Audi cars.

GSSL: Does Audi Classics have any main rivals?

Ken: FC Lang Pacers and Gang Green

GSSL: Why do you choose to play in the GSSL?

Ken: GSSL is a very well-run league ... the scheduling, the fields, the referees and the follow-thru from the league office is all amazing.

GSSL: What are your goals as a team?

Ken: To have fun ... we really are a beer-drinking club on Thursdays ... and we occasionally play a soccer game.

GSSL: Fill in the blank: The best thing about playing for Audi Classics is … ?

 Sundowners

Division: THU O-55 D2
Manager: David Anderson 

GSSL: How was your team formed, and how long has it been in the GSSL?

David: We were formed in 1979 or 1980, then again in 2010.

In 1976, a bunch of first-year youth soccer coaches from Everett and Mukilteo soccer clubs got together in the spring to form the team. The team played in Snohomish County Adult league in the spring; then in 1979 joined the GSSL to play fall and winter for a few years. When Snohomish County began year around play withdrew from the GSSL, but came back to the GSSL in 2010 as an O-55 team.

GSSL: How did you name your team?

David:  By popular vote by team members after a game (and a few beers) at Big Sam’s Tavern.

GSSL: Does Sundowners have any main rivals?

David: The Postgamers and KSA Lakers

GSSL: Why do you choose to play in the GSSL?

David: The GSSL is the only league we could find that had divisions for old guys!

GSSL: What are your goals as a team?

David: We want to keep playing organized soccer as long as our bodies hold together. We now have an O-60 team as well as an O-55 team.

GSSL: Fill in the blank: The best thing about playing for Sundowners is … ?

David: ... friendship and fun soccer come first over winning.

 Fusion

Division: MON O-30 D1
Manager: Wes To

Wes: Fusion joined GSSL in 2008 (maybe even earlier...). They played division 2 in the open division back then and worked their way up the ladder.

The team itself was actually formed as a youth team over on the Kitsap peninsula. The players hit that U-19 age and wanted to keep playing, so one of the dad's (our previous manager Sal) started the team. It consisted of about 12-15 youth players that carried on and some of the coaches in the area.

As some of the younger players started to drop off due to other commitments the coaches that were playing eventually started bringing in other coaches and friends from the Seattle area. Sooner or later we found ourselves with a very solid squad of experienced players who got along really well.

GSSL: How did you name your team?

Wes: Fusion was name of the youth team that gave us our GSSL start. We have kept that name throughout the years.

GSSL: Does Fusion have any main rivals?

Wes: I wouldn't say we have any since leaving the open league for the O-30s. Back then I would've said Pars.

GSSL: Why do you choose to play in the GSSL?

Wes: We were at a point one year where we were performing really well and had been told the competition was better in another area league. We took a season off from GSSL to go play there to see what all the hype was about. During that one season we had two games cancelled due to the other team not showing and one game cancelled because we did not have referees. We rejoined GSSL the next season and have been here since.

GSSL: What are your goals as a team?

Wes: Don't get injured. Play at the highest level we are capable for as long as our bodies will let us.

GSSL: Fill in the blank: The best thing about playing for Fusion  is … ?

Wes: ... our occasional night out on the town.

 Orange Crush

Division: MON O-50 D3
Managers: Darius Firethorne | Don MacInnes

Darius:  Our team was originally called Red Tide. The fog of decades and aging memories cannot quite determine who came first, the Red Tide or the GSSL (perhaps only Anita knows for certain). In early 2012 the Red Tide, having aged itself out of being competitive (last place in the last division for years) folded and the older players joined teams in the over-55 leagues. Meanwhile, Tom Cary and I decided that we still wanted to have an O-50 team, so after a couple seasons off we formed a new team with the core of Red Tide and some younger blood we scouted into a new team we christened Orange Crush. Younger we define as being “just over fifty.”

GSSL: How did you name your team?

Darius: Well, after being Red Tide for over two decades, somehow a color seemed appropriate. We wanted something bright that would set us apart from the usual red, white, blue, green and black. I like Dutch “total soccer” and so orange seemed a good choice. More than a few of the older teams have chosen names that snicker at their age and infirmities. As for us, I wanted something that was a bit more aggressive while also being delicious. So, Orange Crush we became. Orange jerseys and socks. On the field we are easy for each other to see, and as I said in the early days, “pass to the orange socks.” When and if this team graduates to the O-55 league our next name could be “Orange Crutch.” Y’never know.

GSSL: Does Orange Crush have any main rivals?

Darius:  Most of the O-50 players have been around for decades and know each other from many seasons past. Anyone still playing Over-50 loves to play the game and very much feels fortunate to still be able. So, while we play hard, we no longer are quite as reckless.  As is often said on the pitch, “we all have to work tomorrow.” In our case, this could be paraphrased, “we all have to walk tomorrow.” There is also a lot of cross-pollination between teams as players look for the team that suits best or suffer the sadness of a team that folds. I have played for at least five other O-50 teams, so the idea of rivaly is a bit absurd. We do not really have rivals teams, more like “brother” teams that we enjoy playing. In our case, The Flames, Steeler Studs, Soccer and Ale, and Gang Green are teams that always give us a good match; hard fought, well played.  Very enjoyable.

GSSL: Why do you choose to play in the GSSL?

Darius:  The GSSL provides 90 minutes of soccer play against our peers and that is as close as we can get to that feeling of being in a soccer match as seen on TV (although our games have no fans in the stands, one of our team members has been video-taping our games for the last year which is embarrassing as hell and also a great learning tool). The GSSL works closely with team managers to smooth out all difficulties; in short, they care, they listen, they take action. What I personally like best about the GSSL is their continued commitment to improving the organization in every way possible. The GSSL just gets better and better. My fond hope is that eventually the GSSL will organize women’s leagues in all age groups as well.

GSSL: What are your goals as a team?

Darius:  In our first season as Orange Crush in 2012 we won our division. Okay, it was Division 4 (yes, in 2012 there were four divisions), but we were rather proud after a very long drought as Red Tide. In Summer 2015 we again topped Div3 and played for the first time a season in Div2. Our recent short term goal was to win Div3 in the Winter 2016 season and return to Div2. This we accomplished. Our ongoing goal is to play, either individually or as a team, as long as possible because we love the game. Inevitably our team goal is to improve our teamwork and to play the beautiful game with more skill and grace.

GSSL: Fill in the blank: The best thing about playing for the Orange Crush is … ?

Darius: We have a team philosophy that goes like this: “Never whine or complain about the personal playing error of one of your teammates because you are likely to be next.” Soccer is a game of errors. We all make them. The less errors, the better your team and chances of winning, and we all perform better when our teammates are encouraging us. However, winning is not our only objective. Having fun, playing well together and as individuals, and having some social time after games is our main motivation. Soccer is fun. We know this and therefore we play and will continue to play. After all, the GSSL now has an Over-60 division.  But let’s not rush things . . .

 Sea-Town United

Division: SUN Open D3
Manager: Mitchell Torres

Mitchell:We were formed in the fall of 2009 by the GSSL (our first official GSSL game was against FC Spare Tire).

GSSL: How did you name your team?

Mitchell: It’s a mix of my hometown and my favorite team. Sea-Town is for Seattle and United was from Manchester United.

GSSL: Does Sea-Town United have any main rivals?

Mitchell: I wouldn’t say that we have one particular rival. Because we have been in GSSL for some time now, I’d we are aware of a few teams who may be a bit more competitive than most.

GSSL: Why do you choose to play in the GSSL?

Mitchell: I guess I really didn’t care to look anywhere else to play on Sunday mornings. Not a big fan of co-rec rules and from what I have seen out there that most other Sunday leagues are co-rec. Starfire is out of the question - I believe their men’s league is only premier and require qualification. Seeing how we have been jumping down between D2B and 3 as of late, I don’t think we can hang. The GSSL has been great to work with. Enisa and Traci have been good to me so I enjoy working with them :)

GSSL: What are your goals as a team?

Mitchell: To keep pushing forward and improve. We haven’t won a season yet so I am hoping that we can do this on our current campaign.

GSSL: Fill in the blank: The best thing about playing for the Sea-Town United is … ?

 Rainstorms

Division: THU O-55 D2
Manager: Rob Stewart

Rob: The Rainstorms began playing in the 0-30 league in the fall of 1979, and we have played every GSSL season since that time.

For many years, we played two nights a week, but this year we’re only playing in the Thursday night 0-55 league. Conservatively, over the 36 years we have been in the GSSL, we estimate that we have played about 1,800 games … and we would rather not estimate how many we’ve lost.

The team was started by a couple of dads who had never played the game, but who fell in love with soccer watching their kids play.

The only word to describe our level of play in 1979 was terrible. We didn't win a game that season, and I don't believe that we scored a goal, which may still stand as the record for futility.

GSSL: How did you name your team?

Rob: The dads who formed the team claim that it always rained when their kids played soccer, so they just assumed that rain was a required part of the game.

GSSL: Does Rainstorms have any main rivals?

Rob: Although few teams have been around the GSSL as long as we have, a surprising number of the guys playing today in the 0-55 and 0-60 leagues played against us in the 0-30 leagues back in the ’70s, and we have become friends with them all. Our main competitors these days are Gang Green, Lang and a bunch of teams named Audi.

GSSL: Why do you choose to play in the GSSL?

Rob: Without the support of the GSSL, the Rainstorms would never have lasted 36 years.

GSSL: What are your goals as a team?

Rob: We always strive to be competitive, but we’ve come to realize that the camaraderie we’ve built over three decades is much more important than winning games—although winning is still fun.

GSSL: Fill in the blank: The best thing about playing for the Rainstorms is … ?

Rob: … the lifelong friendships that the team has created.

Bonus Rainstorm story:

Rob: When the core of our team hit 60 years old, we decided that it was time to learn CPR.

With 25 or more 60- and 70-year-olds running around the pitch every week, it seemed inevitable that eventually one of them would have a heart attack, so we scheduled a special CPR training class just for our team.

The class was held on our regular soccer night on a week when we had a bye. Spouses were invited, we went to the pub afterwards, and we had a great time. 

 More importantly, a couple of years later, one of our guys had a heart attack during a game, and his teammates’ CPR training saved his life.

Teams in the older leagues ought to take this to heart!

 Blacksox

Division: WED O-40 D3 
Manager: Dennis Ferry

Dennis: Our team has been in the GSSL for about 18 years - first as an Over-30 and now as an Over-40.  Rumor has it that there were 13 dwarves who met at our former managers’ house to start some strange quest about a ring.  But they lost the ring and decided to just play soccer instead.

GSSL: How did you name your team?

Dennis: As you would guess, from the Blacksox.

GSSL: Does Blacksox have any main rivals?

Dennis: We don't really have rivals - but we always like to play the Blues Brothers, AC Frantic Tumble and the Hornets.  We seem to see those guys over and over every season - so their knees are just as bad off as ours are.

GSSL: Why do you choose to play in the GSSL?

Dennis: We play in the GSSL mostly because of history - this is where our team was started. 
The office is always great to deal with, and that makes it easy to keep going.

GSSL: What are your goals as a team?

Dennis: To stay in shape and have fun playing - and drink beer.

GSSL: Fill in the blank: The best thing about playing for the Blacksox is … ?