Variety Staffer Sid Tesler grabs a soccer ball out of the air at Allen Creek Soccer Complex in Gainesville, Ga., on Oct. 26, 2025. Tesler has dreamed of becoming a professional soccer player since he was 5-years-old. “As my passion for goalkeeping continues to grow, so do my skills and ambition as a goalie,” Tesler wrote. “I train every day after school until I can’t move my legs. My training includes diving drills, footwork, distribution, and reaction saves.” Photo courtesy of Shayla Blalock
Variety Staffer Sid Tesler reflects on his passion for playing soccer and his goal of becoming a professional goalkeeper.
The first time I touched a soccer ball, I was around 5-years-old. In the years since, my passion for the game has grown, and my skills have improved. I am a goalkeeper, but I haven’t always been or wanted to be one.
Goalkeeping found me.
I started playing at the Athens United Soccer Association on a recreational team when I was 7-years-old. Soon after, I earned a position on their club team and was thrown into the position of goalkeeper. At first, I embraced the idea simply because I didn’t like to run, and goalkeeping is the only position on the pitch where you aren’t running constantly.
However, as I started to play in the position more, I realized that being a goalkeeper wasn’t for the weak.
As my enthusiasm for goalkeeping has continued to grow, so have my skills and ambition as a goalie. I train every day after school until I can’t move my legs. My training includes diving drills, footwork, distribution, and reaction saves.
Variety Staffer Sid Tesler (middle) holds a soccer ball behind his younger brother, Ben (left), preparing to do a soccer drill on Sept. 10, 2016. Throughout his 9-year career, Tesler has improved tremendously. “The first time I ever touched a soccer ball was when I was around five years old. Ever since that moment, my passion for the game has grown, and my skills have improved. I am a goalkeeper, but I haven’t always been or wanted to be one. Goalkeeping found me,” Sid wrote. Photo courtesy of Jennifer Tesler
Some days are frustrating because I don’t see improvement right away, but I keep showing up. The more I practice, the more I realize that progress comes from consistency. Now, I play in MLS NEXT, which is the highest-level youth league in the United States
Most people think being a goalkeeper is easy, that all you do is stand in the goal and wait for the ball to come your way, but they couldn’t be more wrong. Over the years, I’ve learned that goalkeeping requires toughness and involves not just physical strength but also mental strength.
There is a relentless pressure that comes with the position. I am the last line of defense: if I make one mistake, everything comes tumbling down on me, and I often feel the weight of the world on my shoulders. This pressure has taught me invaluable lessons, shaping my resilience and coachability both on and off the field.
