Do You Know Their Story?
I love what happens when people come together in joyful, dedicated collaboration - think flash mobs, theater productions, marching bands, big celebrations, and yes, sports victories too.
We’re still buzzing from one of those victories. As Seattle Sounders fans, we were thrilled to watch our local Major League Soccer team beat Inter Miami and Lionel Messi (arguably the GOAT) 3-0 in front of 69,314 fans at Lumen Field to win the Leagues Cup.
It was a thrilling night, but even more moving when you understand the lives behind the game.
The Rest of the Human Story
Several Sounders stars were out for various reasons, and that meant that 7 of the 15 who suited up came up through Tacoma Defiance, our second-division team. Our goalie was a backup, too. Still, they rose to the challenge:
Osaze De Rosario, son of an MLS icon, scored the first goal, just months after moving up from Tacoma Defiance.
Obed Vargas (20), who debuted in MLS in 2021 at 16 and plays for the Mexican National Team and hails from Alaska, kept Messi frustrated and in check all night.
Georgi Minoungou, from the Ivory Coast, who lost sight in one eye from infection two years ago, drew the foul that set up Seattle’s second goal.
Team Captain, Christian Roldan, handed the ball to his brother and teammate, Alex Roldan, to take that penalty kick, and Alex responded by scoring the second goal.
And then came the 89th minute.
To appreciate what happened in the 89th minute, you have to go back two days to when Sounders Coach Brian Schmetzer said to a journalist,
“Messi is possibly the best player the world has ever seen, but we’ve got Paul Rothrock…”
All Sounders fans had to smile at the comparison. Rothrock is another local player from West Seattle who came up through Tacoma Defiance, and we loved that Schmetz was standing by his players.
At the game, fans were invited to trade in their Messi jerseys for Rothrock jerseys, and the stadium was peppered with signs reading, “But we have Paul Rothrock!”
So in the 89th minute, when Rothrock scored the final goal, fans in the stadium (and at home!) erupted! Afterward:
The Roldan brothers were interviewed, both holding their adorable babies on live TV.
De Rosario and his family danced their trademark celebration dance.
Schmetzer teared up, thanking his players, family, and mom watching from home.
It was a beautiful night of human collaboration and heart. With that context, you can enjoy the highlights here.
What about your team?
Stories like this mean so much more when you know “the rest of the human story." And, the same is true of your team members at work too.
Do you know the effort and experiences that shaped them?
Do you know their recent personal challenges or achievements?
Do you know the rest of their story? Do they know yours?
When you and your team members know each other, your shared work, both struggles and victories, gain even more meaning.
Make it your aim this week to uncover at least one untold story on your team and share your own to set the tone.
