We all know that kids across America -- and not just ethnic kids anymore -- play the game and love the game. But we're told they'll outgrow it and choose a more patriotically-appropriate game like football or baseball.
One recent Tuesday night, at 10 p.m., I went to this facility out on Lisbon Road and was surprised to find a handful of small indoor pitches hosting a seemingly never-ending rotation of games, played by adults of varying ages and of both genders. Considerably more adults playing soccer than I've seen playing football in recent memory.
Some were clearly neophytes, others darn good and lots fell somewhere in between. But all of them appeared to be having a blast. Not returning punts or laying down bunts, but taking shots on goal.
Admittedly, the indoor game bears, at times, only glancing resemblance to the outdoor game, but the fact remains, these people are playing soccer. One regular there told me he plays every night of the week in these leagues and that the place is always crowded.
Maybe not everyone is ready to trade in their shin guards when they reach puberty. That can only be good news for soccer in America.
Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., where he lived until he was 17, Bobby received his BA-Mass Communications from UWM in 1989 and has lived in Walker's Point, Bay View, Enderis Park, South Milwaukee and on the East Side.
He has published three non-fiction books in Italy – including one about an event in Milwaukee history, which was published in the U.S. in autumn 2010. Four more books, all about Milwaukee, have been published by The History Press.
With his most recent band, The Yell Leaders, Bobby released four LPs and had a songs featured in episodes of TV's "Party of Five" and "Dawson's Creek," and films in Japan, South America and the U.S. The Yell Leaders were named the best unsigned band in their region by VH-1 as part of its Rock Across America 1998 Tour. Most recently, the band contributed tracks to a UK vinyl/CD tribute to the Redskins and collaborated on a track with Italian novelist Enrico Remmert.
He's produced three installments of the "OMCD" series of local music compilations for OnMilwaukee.com and in 2007 produced a CD of Italian music and poetry.
In 2005, he was awarded the City of Asti's (Italy) Journalism Prize for his work focusing on that area. He has also won awards from the Milwaukee Press Club.
He has be heard on 88Nine Radio Milwaukee talking about his "Urban Spelunking" series of stories, in that station's most popular podcast.
