portland pick-up

As the pick-up organizer, Benjamin arrives early with cones and pennies to set up two fields for small-sided soccer games.

The group (anywhere from 20-40 people) meets at Buckman Field at 8 a.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. They have been playing together for over 10 years, although the location has changed over that time.

Alex has been a consistent player in the pick-up games since the initial start.

Alex watches as a teammate uses a crafty move to get around a defender.

Alex chats with Eli between games, a friend he's known since high school. Eli is one of only a handful of women that regularly show up to play.

Alex Catalan--head coach of Grant High School's boy's varsity soccer team--and member of the Portland pick-up group.