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DAYTON — With no youth soccer league where he grew up, Chris Frazier didn't have the opportunity to play as a child. Now, at 44 years old, he's making up for lost time.

Frazier plays and organizes tournaments for the Dayton United men's over-40 soccer team. In late April, the team won a 6-vs.-6 tournament in Louisville, Ky., besting seven other teams. Two other teams were from Ohio, including the Cleveland Croatians, whom Dayton United beat 5-2 in the championship.

Dayton United, comprised of 10 players from the Dayton Amateur Soccer League, also has played tournaments in Virginia and Pittsburgh. Dayton United plays a tournament in Virginia Beach in August.

When Frazier's not at his information-technology job or spending time with his family, he's usually playing or coaching soccer.

In his words

"I've been coaching for about 20 years. Everything from 5-year-old bumble-bee soccer to high-schoolers. (My son) Matthew was pretty excited about us winning the tournament. It's one thing to have your Dad coach. It's another to see him go out and play just the same as you do.

"Some of my co-workers could not care less; others like it. They bring in the newspaper articles and give them to me. Some people think it's great that I'm still doing it. Some are like, 'Wouldn't you rather be on a golf course?'

"I grew up as a Reds fan, and I love to watch pro football. I watch everything but hockey. No hockey.

"I've been playing almost 30 years. Most guys (on the team) played as kids, in high school, some in college. The guys going to the tournaments are very competitive and very compassionate. When we played the Croatians, there were yellow cards, even a red card for cussing to a ref.

"Three years ago, I tore my (anterior cruciate ligament) and couldn't play. I was terribly bummed knowing there was no soccer. As you get older, it's harder (to stay healthy). There will be a time when I can't chase people around anymore. Time takes its toll on everyone.

"Up until this year, gas (prices were) reasonable. Now, it's a concern for guys when we travel. Instead of bringing their families in their own cars, guys pile into a van and carpool. It's not enough of a problem to keep them from playing.

"I grew up playing baseball. I used to play in an over-30 baseball league with fastpitch and stealing and everything. It was too slow. In 6-vs.-6 soccer, it's a smaller field and smaller goals to make it more fast-paced.

"It's a personal challenge. As you get older, it's always a challenge of 'am I fit enough?' The tournaments we go to have over-60 (year-old) teams; soccer is a game for life."

Contact this reporter at gsilverman

@coxohio.com

.