CONCRETE TRADITION: JAKE COLLINS’ RHYTHM AROUND THE GAME

Meet Jake.

Jake Collins’ journey into soccer began during his senior year of high school. It was the U.S. Men’s National Team‘s unexpected success in the 2009 Confederations Cup that lit the spark. 

“That led me to start talking to my friends who played and joining them for pickup.”

The spark created by this magical run led Collins to develop a passion for soccer. He began to play consistently in 2021, after joining a recreational league with his friends. For the last four years, Collins has continued to play. It is a part of his lifestyle. 

That passion extended beyond his TV screen and weekend leagues when he stumbled across a local soccer community in Escondido.

“ I’m usually waking up early. Watching half a PL [Premier League] game, drinking some coffee, and stretching,” he states. “From there I’ll go play, grab a sandwich or burrito on my way home before watching The Wave or SDFC play in the afternoon.”

Collins learned about Escondido Club de Fútbol about a year ago after hearing about the group on Facebook. 

“I saw a Facebook post in a San Diego soccer group encouraging people to come check it out,” he starts. “I had wanted to play futsal at those courts for a while but I didn’t know anyone else in Esco.”

By nature, Collins is a competitive and social person. After his first time out to one of the pickups, Collins found that these communities offer both the opportunity to be competitive and to make friends.

“I love how welcoming people are while also pushing you on the pitch,” Collins states. ”There’s always a little pressure playing with a new group when you’re a less experienced player but that went away right away.” 

Now a regular at the courts, Collins understands why groups like these are important to our communities. 

“The make-up of players I meet on any given weekend varies wildly,” he reflects. “Kids, parents, Americans, people from other countries, people in different tax brackets, none of that outweighs the bond we all have through the sport when we’re playing.”

On the concrete where shoes slap and the ball glides, a simple game becomes a foundation for connection, culture, and community.