If you’ve ever driven past Buss Field on a Sunday, you’ve probably noticed the crowd. Families gathered with lawn chairs, kids kicking balls along the sideline, music in the air, food nearby, and players in bright uniforms battling it out on the pitch. That’s Worthington soccer — a sport that’s grown right along with our community, and one that brings people together in a way few things can.
Soccer has a long history here. Our high school teams have carried the Trojan name with pride for decades, giving us exciting fall nights under the lights. The boys’ team has had their share of strong seasons — some years even making state tournament runs — while the girls’ team continues to grow and build momentum of their own. Records and stats are fun to follow, but what really stands out is the way students learn teamwork, leadership, and resilience each season.
But soccer in Worthington is so much more than the high school programs. The youth academies get kids started as young as preschool age. Some join just to burn off energy and make friends, others discover a lifelong passion for the game. By the time they hit middle and high school, many of our local players have been dribbling and kicking for years, building the foundation for competitive play.
And then there are the adults. If you’ve never been to a Sunday Soccer League game at Buss Field, you’re missing one of the best community experiences Worthington has to offer. Teams face off in full-day match schedules that stretch from morning to evening. The league has grown so much in recent years that they expanded their playoff spots just to fit everyone in. Games are competitive, but the sidelines are as much about connection as they are about competition — neighbors catching up, kids darting around, the smell of food drifting across the grass.
When winter comes, the JBS Fieldhouse keeps the game alive indoors. From youth futsal to adult leagues and open play, soccer doesn’t hibernate just because the snow flies. Step inside on a cold night and you’ll hear the same echoes of laughter, cheers, and the thud of the ball against the boards.
Soccer here isn’t about trophies or headlines — though we’ve had our share of those, too. It’s about belonging. It’s about kids learning discipline, families cheering together, and adults finding a way to stay connected to the game they love. It’s about creating spaces where our community can gather, celebrate, and share a little bit of who we are.
In Worthington, soccer is more than just a sport. It’s a story we write together every weekend, every season, every year. And if you ever want to see our community’s heartbeat in motion, just head to the field. You’ll hear it in the cheers, see it in the players’ determination, and feel it in the way strangers become neighbors on the sidelines.