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Lafayette soccer team creates bonds over the love of sport

Posted at 7:16 AM, Feb 21, 2020
and last updated 2020-02-21 08:29:05-05

For young athletes, dreams of playing in the big leagues will cross their minds. Whether it's football, baseball, soccer, or some other sport, there's always that thought of one day going pro. While it may happen for some, others' lives take a different turn.

But that doesn't mean they still can't play the game and have some fun doing it.

From warm-ups to tricks, the soccer players on Krewe FC don't hold back when it comes to the sport they love.

"We want to do something good for the kids and something good for the community," head coach Joan Oliva said. "We really believe that there is plenty of talent, and we want this team showing the talent."

Krewe FC consists of men from all over Acadiana. All of them have different backgrounds, but they share a common bond--a love of soccer.

"I've been playing soccer since I can remember, since I was two- or three-years-old in Brazil," Ricardo Caliman, one of the team's players said. "All of this led me to Lafayette, Louisiana, where I've been part of the crew for the last six months, I would say. We played last year in the Open Cup, so it's been a good challenge."

"The energy we feel here when we're practicing with other players is really good," added teammate Munir Poca. "It's not easy to find--in other teams i've played on--this friendship. The environment is good to develop as a team and as a player."

It's that knowledge of the game that they're trying to pass down to the younger generation.

"I started out with my dad coaching me when I was young," assistant coach Scott Yerby said. "My did didn't play, but now you have a lot more players that have played the game and they're giving back to the community. I think that's how it starts. You have players teach the game that have played at higher levels. I think that's very important."

Oliva added, "what we need to do is make the kids fall in love with soccer. I think brining these excellent players is the first step."

Now with one season under their belt and another in the works, the Krewe FC has big plans for the future, showing that if you put your mind to something, anything is possible.