1 year ago, I went to our player Cole Harris’s games versus the Barca Academy at the Irvine Great Park. I wanted to support Cole Harris in one of his biggest games of the season, an MLS Next showdown between two of the best teams in the nation. I went and sat down to watch.

About 5 minutes into the game, I noticed two of Cole’s teammates that stood out to me, Beckett Miller and Maxim Scordo. I liked their movement, I liked their intensity, I liked the way they played. Silently, I prayed to God, “I hope those two boys come to our Play Higher soccer ministry and that I get the pleasure of working with them.” I didn’t even know their names.

Cole and his teammates played great and they won 4-0. Cole and Beckett got a “clean sheet” on defense and Maxim scored a hat-trick. I talked to Cole after and congratulated him, but I did not see nor talk to Beckett or Maxim.

The next day, we had a Play Higher street soccer practice at Rancho. With a group of about 30 high school players about to begin playing, Beckett and Maxim showed up for their first time at our Saddleback Church ministry. Chills ran down my spine! We all had a blast. I had not talked to them or their parents, but God answered my prayer.

That was 1 year ago. Beckett and Maxim have been coming with Cole to our ministry ever since, usually 2-3 times per week. They have excelled in soccer with their team: they are currently #1 in the nation, they have both been called into the US Youth National Team ID Camp, and Maxim is currently the leading goal scorer in the US.

But even more important than all of their soccer success, God has been working in their lives. Last Halloween, instead of going to a party, we stayed at The Ranch for 2.5 hours, training and sharing God stories. These are the eternal wins that we want to accomplish at Play Higher. 

Blessings,

Coach Justice