By: Manya Makoski

Prospective WPS player Manya Makoski is playing with the WPSL’s SoccerPlus CT Reds this summer to keep her game sharp and blogging about her experience for womensprosoccer.com. 

Situations force people to change decisions.  When different needs must be met, it is only natural to try and fix things for the better.  For personal reasons, I have decided to stay home in CT this summer rather than trek across the country to play for the W-League's Pali Blues.  It was a very emotionally difficult choice to make after much deliberation about my future.  However, I know I will be happy being home.  And I also get a chance to play for Tony DiCicco and his SoccerPlusCT Reds again.

The season has already started with much adversity to overcome.  In my previous journal, I mentioned that I might have a stress fracture in my foot.  Luckily, my MRI showed no signs of any stress fracture.  I was so relieved when my orthopedist told me the good news, but he did have some explaining to do.  Even after icing and resting, I was still having pain that would not subside.

So what’s wrong with my foot?  According to my orthopedist, I have an “accessory navicular.”  Okay… I was confused too.  He tried explaining to me what was giving me so much pain.  Basically, I have an extra bone in my foot that I was born with.  Supposedly this only occurs in 10% of the population.  Can my body be any weirder than it already is? I also just found out that I need glasses because I can’t see distance… a slight problem when I am playing.  But hey, as long as I can tell who is on my team, I am all set.  I just know I won’t be wearing any rec specs.

So an accessory navicular can get irritated at any point in time.  Mine just hasn’t decided to bother me until 24 years later… Luckily, a quick fix of insoles and heel cups was all I needed.  I am just so thankful that this situation got figured out before the first game of the season.

The first two weeks of training with the Reds have been so intense.  As more and more players come in from their own hometowns and colleges, the more exciting it gets.  There is so much talent and personality on this team.  Everyone has smiles on their faces, as we set out together to “live the dream.”  This is the motto that we, the Reds, have decided to symbolize our journey this summer.  As soccer players, yearning to one day play in Women’s Professional Soccer, we are fighting for that chance.  And this summer is another step towards that.  Each game we play is just one game closer to being a professional.

This season has started out perfectly.  We played our first game of the season on our home turf in New Britain against the Massachusetts Stingers.  It was dark and rainy, but together we lit it up.  The final score of 10-0 represented what we have set out to do as a team.  We connected like we had been playing together for years.  Wearing my #10 that I wore last year, I started and played 70 minutes at left back.  I played with passion and intensity.  I wanted to prove to myself, to my teammates, to my coaches, to my fans, and to the other team that I was ready to “live the dream.”

Makoski notched an assist in the Reds 10-0 season-opening win over the Massachusetts Stingers.  Makoski and the Reds travel to Bangor, Me. to face the Maine Tide on Saturday, May 17 at 4pm EST.