Coach Jo Smith was enthusiastic about the great success, "Lunar travel is the next level of soccer. Hell, everyone can play in a national league but were taking it to the next level. If kids can win the Moon Cup at 10 by the time they are13 they can get college scholarships. I'll admit it was tough travel but well worth tapping into the parent's home equity."

    The team's space travel was funded by car washes, raffle tickets and second mortgages. One of the parents was adamant about the value of her family's sacrifice, "The chance for my eight year old girl to fly to the moon and probably get a college scholarship was one I could not miss." 

    His wife added, "Coach said our little one is the real deal. He's got connections and she is gonna go big time...why I think she is the next Brandi Hamm."

    The Sad River team is 65 - 0  this year. Coach Jo's theory is to play games and skip trainings. 

    "Why train, that's practice" he exclaimed," Hell, games are the real deal, practice is fake and they need reality, these 8 and 9 year olds. I only got about four years until colleges want them to commit..these girls gotta grow up fast."

    When asked about how many times the girls touched the ball in a game he yelled,

    " Are you a communist .... worried about sharing the ball, if everyone touches the ball a few times its worth it....Hey, in football they got 50 something players and one ball, some players never touch it, for entire seasons! Look, winning Moon Cup is going to put us on top and in the USYS National League!" 

   He continued, " I use the nine step method, the swerve and the split finger fastball. My keeper can kick the ball so far we try and let teams attack.....once they do we let our keeper catch it... I train her myself .. used to be a shortstop..... we have her kick it.... I punted in high school........that's our secret.....kick it long to Sally......Sally's scored 98 goals this season...she's got the best toe poke in the galaxy....Pele, Schmele." 

   The parents of Sad River are organizing an auction to raise money for their next event - the US Academy League. The auction items features a diverse collection of household furniture, homes and cars.

   " I figure if they can enter the Academy League, I am gonna be a rich man," said Coach Smith," Once I get myself a franchise I can take it easy and travel with my team. Hell, think of the money I'll save on vacations."

   Even the most skeptical parents have been won over by the success, "Coach says I won't have to pay for college......selling my home is the least I can do for my little one. With the travel he has planned til she is 14, I won't really need a home for the next few years"

One of the players of Sad River, when asked about their trips, said," I wanna sleep in my own bed.... I miss my cat..."