Throughout history, soccer teams have been founded for many reasons. Many of the most prominent teams today were begun by groups of friends eager to find a source of amusement.

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During the last two weeks in which I spent doing research on migration in the Mexican state of Oaxaca, I think I annoyed my fellow students by excitedly pointing out every time I saw a soccer field or game. Obsessed is the word I often heard my classmates use to describe me. I can’t say they were wrong.

During the two weeks, I took some pictures of soccer fields and games being played in all sorts of locations. A selection of the best are below.

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For those of you waiting patiently for updates, there won’t be any until after Christmas. I’m currently taking part in a research project in Oaxaca, Mexico and won’t be posting until I return to Gringolandia.

On December 1, World AIDS Day, numerous events were held around the world to raise awareness about the deadly disease. One of these events was a soccer tournament held in Bloemfontein, South African. Organized by a young woman named Leah Bellow-Handelman and others at the non-profit organization Grassroot Soccer, the event was intended to bring in teams for athletic competition, and to encourage them to get tested for HIV/AIDS. Bellow-Handelman took time out of her busy schedule recently to talk to me about the tournament she was organizing and other work she’s involved with at Grassroot Soccer.

Students involved with Grassroot Soccer (photo: Grassroot Soccer)

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Growing up in the West Bank city of Bethlehem, Raad Qumsieh probably never dreamed that his life would include a stop in Kansas. He has led a nomadic life not uncommon of Palestinians today. But Qumsieh is different than most Palestinians. A gifted soccer player from a young age, he has played for the under-17, under-20, and full national teams of Palestine. For the past three years, he has been in the United States playing college soccer. He hopes to make a career as a professional player and to represent the Palestinian national team.

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