Main Street: World Cup and Park/Rec soccer

The 2026 FIFA World Cup spanned 39 days and included 104 matches between 48 teams. Once the U.S. team was eliminated, I didn’t have a dog in the fight, or so I thought. I’ve been Norwegian by marriage since becoming a Thoreson 40 years ago. Bert’s grandparents immigrated from Norway, and his father, though born in America, lived in a home where only Norwegian was spoken until he was 9 years old. 

Segway to a few weeks ago and making it a point to watch the Norway matches. Like millions around the world, I was smitten with Erling Haaland, the charismatic golden-haired Viking with a playful personality and mad soccer skills. But mostly I was in awe of the Norwegian fans and their enthusiasm, sportsmanship and national pride. The fans and their Viking Row chant became sensations. 

My limited experience with soccer was volunteering to coach my daughter Sarah’s fifth grade co-ed Park and Rec soccer team in the ‘80s. They had a sponsor (English Funeral Chapels), kids signed up, but without a coach it wouldn’t happen. 

I read up a bit on soccer, had an official clipboard and figured the reality is these were fifth graders, so no pressure, right? Until the first practice, when I realized I didn’t have a clue what drills we should work on. A few of the boys had played before so I designated a practice captain who would lead his teammates, rotating at each practice. Technically, I wasn’t so much a coach as I was an enthusiastic chaperone. 

While none of those fifth graders on my team ended up playing World Cup soccer, they provided much enjoyment as I watched them grow up and become high school and college athletes, valedictorians, academic and athletic scholarship recipients, high school basketball coaches and successful humans. 

At the risk of missing someone, but trusting Sarah and my memories, thanks to Brock Alexander, Mike McLean, Tim Roberts, Dallan and Darick Pope, Heath Peterson, Chad VanBrundt, Tim Cudmore, Jim Sharp, TJ Hammond and Brad Harmon for being good sports, on and off the field. 

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The backstory on the 50-foot-long American flag that’s become the traditional beginning of the Post Falls Festival Parade is one most people haven’t heard. In the very early 1990s, I took on the role of organizing the parade with a group of friends. My good friend, Joe Doellefeld, owned the Stateline Speedway and offered me his giant flag for the parade. For the past three and a half decades, he’s loaned out his flag for the parade, including this year. 

It takes a couple dozen adult/teen non-disabled people to carry the heavy flag, and this year the Post Falls High School football team stepped up. Not only did they lead the parade with the flag, but they also doubled back later to help carry banners for the Washington State Fallen Heroes Project. The banners each represent the forever young killed in action military from Washington and North Idaho, their photographs reminding us of the cost of freedom and those who’ve paid that heavy price. 

This week’s kudos to generous Joe Doellefeld and to the respectful young men of the Post Falls Trojan football team. 

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Happy Main Street birthdays today to Joe Malloy, Jim Coleman, Debbie Brown, Jennifer Schmidt, Tina Vandenheuvel and Sam Paul. Tomorrow, Katie Brodie (80!), Steve Anthony, Jeremy Epstein, Marilee Wallace, Bill Singleton, Kris Olson-Wood, Carolyn Kreager, Ginger Harmala, Cassie Ohlig, Anne Kulinsky, Jessica McLean, Darin Hayes, Steve McCabe and Brett Surplus celebrate. Samantha Nelson, Wayne McCoy, Marie Price, Tom Taggart, Karen Youman, Mark Hunsaker, Doug Miller, Shelby Stone, Anthony “A-Train” King and Srinivas Gundari blow out the candles Friday. Larry Schwenke, Robin Schlotthauer, Alenna Blakeslee, Rich Nicolson and Karen King do the birthday dance Saturday. Celebrating sunny Sunday birthdays are Doreen Mack, Marla Giese, Deb Miller, Marlo Gerber, Nick Epstein, Kelsey Wood and Lois Johnson. On Monday, my brother-in-law, Rick Scharf, Ann Beutler, Larry Trosper, Gail Everson, Brady Campbell, Shelly Zollman, Rich May and Brian Thormahlen put on their party hats. Taking another trip around the sun July 28 are Jan Nelson, Bekah Manderscheid, Cathy Werner, Zack White, Hank Wayman, Debra Wunderlich, Norm Loftin, Darrell Rickard and Karen Englestad.  

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Kerri Rankin Thoreson is a member of the National Society of Newspaper Columnists and a former publisher/editor with the Hagadone Newspaper division. Main Street appears every Wednesday in The Press. Kerri can be reached on Facebook or via email at [email protected].