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I had a conversation this morning that I always hoped I would have, but never fully expected nor believed would happen. It was conversation with the coaches of Major League Soccer team, Real Salt Lake. They extended an invitation to me to come train with the team for a week and a half in July. In the vast scheme of the soccer world, these training sessions will barely register. But in my soccer world, and let’s face it, the only soccer world I really care about is mine, this upcoming training will be the biggest of my life.

It is an amazing opportunity and a chance to see exactly where I stand against the best players in North America (after a quick glance through the Real Salt Lake roster, it is clear I stand at least seven inches taller than the shortest player on the team, who is 5’5").

I have been given a gift. It would be a mistake to call it anything but that. But I am a small fish in a very big pond and there are many players more deserving of this opportunity than I am. That’s my motivation. I know that this is a very fortunate break and I know this is an opportunity few players receive.

Some chances you only get once. You have to make the best of them because you might not get a second. You can score the game-winning goal in stoppage time but it won’t count if you’re offside (I know). And you can lose that same game for your team when you’ve skied your penalty kick over the cross bar (I still know). You do not get a redo.

The best players take their chances however they come and whenever they come. This is my chance.