Stronger Than a Losing Season

Posted 11/3/26

My school-based team once had an entirely losing season. Actually, two. Two back-to-back seasons where we didn’t win a single game.

Did the team dissolve? Fall apart? Did the players quit sports?

Nope! I’m still coaching a variant of that same team today. While I can’t recall the exact headcount of who carried over from those losing seasons, I can tell you how that experience transformed us.

When they were in 5th grade, the team dominated their SFYS Recreational (now City) bracket, winning around 90% of their games. Feeling ready for a challenge, we decided to step up into Upper House (now Premier). We were a mix of skill levels and athleticism, and had recently welcomed a teammate who had never played soccer before.

We lost. Every game. By a lot.

The players who were there still remember some of those brutal scores: 14–0, 15–1. I’m pretty sure we spent 97% of every game in our defensive half.

As that fall season wrapped up, it was time to register for the spring season and choose our division. I put it to the team, and with near unanimity, they wanted to give Upper House another shot. So we tried again.

The scores didn't change much, but the players showed incredible growth and resilience. I don’t remember much complaining, nor did my players walk off discouraged. At the end of the day, they were still getting out there to play soccer with their friends every week. After each game, we talked about how hard they worked and reminded them that the score didn’t define who they were or how much heart they had.

After two seasons in Upper House, we discussed our options again and decided to move back to the recreational division. For me, when we "arrived" back in rec, it felt like coming home. At our core, we’re a recreational team - but that doesn't lessen what we gained by playing in Upper House. I was, and still am, so proud of the grit, risk, and energy my players put into those two seasons. I'm even prouder that many of those kids are still playing - whether on my team, another squad, or in a different sport altogether.

Today, our team plays in the SFYS Varsity division, bringing together high school freshmen and sophomores from different schools and soccer backgrounds. That player-driven approach still defines how I lead my team today. Just last night, with drizzle in the forecast, I was on the fence about cancelling practice. But several players reached out asking to play in the rain - so we hit the field. Giving them ownership of their journey keeps them invested. Every now and then, someone brings up those zero-win seasons, and we laugh it off. But deep down, I’d wager those players know they can handle tough challenges…because they’ve already proven they're stronger than a losing season.