News reporter plays soccer with celebrities

Daily News reporter plays soccer with celebrities

By Sean Evans

"Someone cover Superman!" The screaming cry comes as the soccer ball nears "Superman Returns" actor Brandon Routh. With a quick flick of his foot, Routh dishes the ball to World Cup star Alexi Lalas, who deftly cuts a swath up the field, leaving a wake of humbled celebrities looking a little sheepish.

As Lalas nears, my mind quickly tries computing how to stop a Hall of Fame player who has years of experience under his belt. However, in the time spent thinking, Lalas blasts past, as if I wasn't even there.

We're at Lion's Gate Field, where a heated match is underway between Hollywood United Football Club and Grassroot Soccer United. The latter team has kindly allowed me to play for them, but as the game wears on, it's quite apparent my presence is unnecessary, given the level of talent on the pitch.

Playing for Hollywood United is Anthony LaPaglia (star of "Without a Trace" and a former Australian professional player), Richard Gough (a former Scottish National Team member), Frank LeBeouf (who won the 1998 World Cup with his French National Team), Kyle Martino and Brian Dunseth (former Major League Soccer stars), Routh, Lalas and a few other actors.

Our team consists of Ethan Zohn (the "Survivor" winner played pro for a while), Youri Djorkaeff (a French national team player), Steve Jolley (a nine year MLS veteran), Tony Meola (who's played in three World Cups as the US's goalie), Heather O'Reilly (who just picked up a gold medal in Bejing with the US Women's National Team), and actor Mark Consuelos.

Sure, the game is for a great cause: Zohn's Grassroot charity, which raises awareness for the African AIDS pandemic. And sure, everyone involved was there to have a good time. But the intensity on the field is overwhelming.

Within seconds after kickoff, I've already been humiliated by LeBeouf – he gracefully slipped the ball right between my open legs, and clumsily tripped over my own feet while not even near the ball, drawing a roar of laughter from the assembled crowd.

The skill amassed during the ten years I spent playing as a youth quickly come back after a few more touches on the ball, and it's not long before my feet remember how to properly pass and dribble. But players who I grew up watching on TV quickly thwart any advances made. Lalas plucks the ball from my foot with such ease at one point, the only viable reaction is laughter.

Quickly, both teams rack up goals, and soon the score is 6 to 7, with Hollywood United FC in the lead. But Meola puts a sizzling shot on goal, which squeaks by goalie LaPaglia and the game is tied. At this point, I've taken to cheering and wheezing on the sidelines. Apparently, while skill returns easily, lung capacity does not and Mark Consuelos readily concurs. "Your mind tries to tell your body it can do it, but your body doesn't want to respond," he laughed while we stood on the side.

Seconds after Meola's goal, the game ends, in a tie. I'm left with a bloody knee from falling the harsh turf, sore legs, a burning chest and a sliver of pride, due solely to O'Reilly, who tells me I played well. Her compliment helps soothe my aching body, and during the limp home from the field, I can't help but smile at being able to hold my own among some of the sport's greatest players. Even if only for a few brief moments.

http://www.nydailynews.com/gossip/2008/10/05/2008-10-05_daily_news_reporter_plays_soccer_with_ce.html