A group of soccer enthusiasts in Vancouver, led by Alexandre Gangue-Ruzic, have been gathering every Monday for pickup games on a bumpy pitch that has become a street football magnet in the city.
Sunset Beach FC
The group, which calls itself Sunset Beach FC, started about five years ago with just 10 players and has since grown to attract players from all over the city. The games are played five-on-five, and players of all types and backgrounds are represented, with many wearing club and national team shirts.
The games are fast and competitive, with a nod to Canada’s ice hockey culture. The rink stops the ball from going out, and players can run or pass behind small collapsible soccer goals. Newcomers and out-of-town players are quick to pick up the rules, and the game is played until the sun sets.
The group hopes that the World Cup’s legacy will lead to more facilities and a greater awareness of the game among the public in Vancouver. As Gangue-Ruzic explained, ‘Vancouver has always been a bit of a sleeping soccer city. You see it in pockets, you see it in little moments. You’ll go to a pitch and you’ll feel that pickup culture, you’ll go to a game from one of the club teams and you’ll see that supporter culture.’
Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
