available as 1-hour teen sports drama or shorter-format web series (w/more levity)

When a teenage soccer star's family life falls apart, he has to find his footing at a new school and discover his real worth on and off the field.

Alex Cooper-Contreras (14): a freshman in high school who, when his parents separate, has to move from urban Chicago to suburban Indianapolis; has the world on his shoulders--except when he steps onto a soccer field; has to prove his worth to a new group of friends, love interests, and soccer coaches in order to find his place again

Rebecca Cooper-Contreras (34): part Christian, part Jewish, newly separated, bilingual (in Spanish), and a restaurant manager, gone are the days she’s trying to live up to anyone’s expectations; but living with serious mom guilt, she’s torn between starting a new life back in her hometown, and making sure her kids, Alex in particular, doesn’t hate her for it.

Roberto Contreras (35): Rebecca’s estranged husband, and Alex and Abbie’s dad, pushes Rebecca away and starts to increasingly numb the pain from his past and present with drinking; although hard-working, he’s discouraged Rebecca from doing the same and going after her goals. With far too many fights with Rebecca and put-downs of Alex for not living up to his soccer dreams, Rebecca puts her foot down and moves the kids away from Roberto and his family in Chicago, back to suburban Indiana where she grew up.

Abigail Cooper-Contreras (5): Alex’s younger sister and only sibling, “Abbie” is the sunshine of the family—albeit a bit spoiled—and the one constant good thing in Alex’s life.

Grandpa Cooper - Rebecca’s dad; not yet retired, and often tired, Grandpa Cooper tries to rekindle his special bond with Alex here and there, which Alex welcomes, but gets distracted while doting on Abbie, who he is just now getting to spend significant time around—unless he’s napping.

Grandma Cooper - Rebecca’s mom; was retired/frequent volunteer, she’s now Abbie’s frequent afterschool care babysitter; gets frustrated with Alex when he’s on his phone/won’t talk to her, which sometimes makes Alex shut down even more.

Maribel de la Cruz (33): Filipina; an old high school friend of Rebecca’s, Maribel runs into Rebecca at the principal’s office when Alex is called down after a soccer-ball incident his first day at his new school; although Rebecca’s embarrassed, Maribel intervenes as a school guidance counselor and offers support to help Alex transition, as well as to be a listening ear during Rebecca’s own difficult transition back to their hometown (she swore she’d never live in again).

Bernice “Miss B” (50): bus driver to Alex; African-American female; a former semipro race car driver, the kids don’t mess around on Miss B’s bus, or she’ll mess them up; also, a widow to an army veteran, and naturally funny, she uses her bus driving gig as less of a paycheck (as it “barely pays the bills”) and more of a “ministry”—which involves a line of questioning Alex is not too comfortable at first, but eventually warms up to—and counts on.

Javier/“Javi” (14): Alex’s best friend back in Chicago—since they were four; also plays soccer, but struggles balancing having to work after school, do soccer, and maintain good grades; he says he’s always there for Alex but isn’t the most consistent at keeping up with Alex.

Cameron/“Cam” (14): Alex’s new friend at school (soon-to-be bestie) and one of the best soccer players in his grade; invites Alex to join a group of guys to play after school; at first Alex thinks Cam is taking pity on Alex, but soon, they realize they have a lot in common and need each other—kind of like brothers.

Principal Wallace (58): the principal of Carmel High School, the massive suburban high school (north of Indianapolis) where Alex has to start over again; very good with kids, Wallace finds a way to adapt bad behavior (including Alex’s) to something more constructive; frustrated by the School Board and local politics, he dreams of one day retiring, vacationing, and volunteering with the Boy Scouts.

• End line: the lines extending from the goal line to the corners of the field.If the defending team puts the ball over the end line, the attacking team is awarded a corner kick.

  If the attacking team puts the ball over the end line, the defending team is awarded a goal kick.

• Pressure: a defensive tactic that limits an attacker's time and space.

  The goal is to force the attacker into a mistake and win the ball back

• Penalty: The word “penalty” has a very specific (and very dramatic) meaning in soccer. It should be applied only to the award of a penalty kick — i.e., the 12-yard direct free kick taken from the penalty spot with only the goalkeeper to beat. It should never be used in connection with any other offense or free kick situation.