Club soccer kicks off new semester

Students gathered on the band field for the start of the new season for the club soccer team this past week.

Players in the club love the teamwork and camaraderie soccer brings, as it reminds the players that it is a team sport, regardless of talent.

“It’s not a single man's game; even Messi and Ronaldo need somebody to pass them the ball,” said Yagya Pokhrel, president of the Troy Soccer Club and graduate student majoring in sports management from Nepal. “This sport requires teamwork, and that is what I like about it.”

This semester has seen 23 new members join the club, and this year's arrivals were a little different than normal.

“The only thing that is much more interesting is that a lot more of the American crowd has come in,” Pokhrel said. “We used to only have the international crowd here, but this year we are having more of the American crowd coming and playing with us.

“It's much better this time, and it's easier. When we have international students, most are here only for like a semester. Having American players around, they're going to stay here for a longer period of time, and we can actually make a team and go play around.”

For a former player who turned into the faculty adviser and coach of the team, club soccer does not just strengthen a student’s soccer skills. It also builds their social skills.

“My first time, I didn't know anyone, but it was the clubs and organizations that helped me get to know people,” said Mohamed Chakib Belkhodhja, the faculty adviser and coach. “Also, seeing different cultures is why we are also doing this here with our club.”

Practices are on Monday, Wednesday and Friday nights from 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Anyone can join, regardless of gender, and signups are as easy as just showing up.

“It's super easy, and you don't need to do anything,” Belkhodhja said. “You come here on the practice days; they just have to sign the waiver.

“We will explain everything: what our project is, what we're going to be building and what we're seeing for the future. Everyone is welcome.”

For many students, this is an opportunity to continue playing the sport they love.

“I like it,” said Theo Rossetti, a junior majoring in political science from France. “It’s like an appointment with the team.

"We just come, have some practices, have some games and we go away sometimes. They're just fun.”

The club is trying to line up potential games with UAB, Alabama State and Auburn. To stay up to date with the Troy soccer club, follow its Instagram @troyusoccerclub.