Pick Me Up Boston!

So you find yourself in Boston on a day with pleasant weather. Where should you go to get in a great run and a few quality touches? Here is some information courtesy of Nina Nixon and Associated Content.

"One of the best places to play pickup soccer is at the Carter Playground off of Columbus Avenue. Located on the South End of Boston, this "playground" has basketball, volleyball and soccer courts. This park is one of the few that have a soccer court, therefore, it is very busy, so proper planning is necessary.

Also check out Ramsey Park on Washington Avenue and Smith Pond Playground on Western Avenue. Both are good alternatives to the Carter Playground. To attend the best turnout, try meeting on weekdays in the early afternoons and evenings, or on weekends in the mornings and early afternoons.

To further increase your chances of participating in a timely game that fits your schedule, communicate with those who are interested by registering to one or more of the pickup game meeting sites below and find out when a game is being put together. Otherwise, browse the parks mentioned above around 1:00 p.m. and join right in. Some good web sites to research are:

http://www.pickupgame.com
http://www.findsportsnow.com
http://pickupsoccer.meetup.com/cities/us/ma/boston/
http://www.meetup.com

Guest +1: Street Soccer Cup 2009

Upon my return from a playing stint in Brazil last year, I came across a television program which detailed the journeys of several teams participating in the Homeless World Cup. It was an amazing testimony to the power of soccer and how these soccer programs are changing countless lives for many whom society counts out.

July 31st-August 2nd, the city of Washington, DC will serve as the host city for the Street Soccer USA Cup 2009. The teams provide homeless men, women and youth with an opportunity to score goals on the field while working to achieve their goals off the field. Players from across this weekend's tournament will be selected to represent the United States of America in the next Homeless World Cup in Milan, Italy.

To volunteer or attend the Street Soccer USA Cup 2009, go to www.streetsoccerusablog.com.