By John Philip Wyllie 

In South Africa, 32 of the world’s best national soccer teams are currently competing for honor and a World Cup Championship. Much closer to home the (5-0) San Diego Flash are competing to raise money and awareness for a variety of good causes and to bring an MLS franchise to San Diego. The players on the Flash roster come from all over the world, but the player with the longest commute is defender Luis Gomez.

Gomez grew up in San Diego before moving with his family at the age of 14 to his current home Perris, California. That is easily a 90 minute commute in each direction. With traffic, it can take far longer. Knowing that there is virtually no money to be made playing with the Flash, why would somebody commit to that drive and the rigorous physical demands that come with playing elite level soccer?

“If you are going to dream, you should dream big and that is what I am doing right now. Even though I am living over there I think the drive every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday is worth it. It doesn’t matter if they are not paying me. If it gets me somewhere then it will be worth it.”

Somewhere for the Gomez would be a spot on a Major League Soccer roster. If he realizes his dream, he won’t be the first Flash player to make it to the MLS. Goalie Joe Cannon and defender Jimmy Conrad both played for the Flash before signing with the San Jose Earthquakes. Both players went on to log multiple appearances on the U.S. National Team and Conrad went on to play in the 2006 World Cup.

For now, Gomez loves being part of the Flash.

“This has been a great experience. I have raised my level of play quite a bit since coming here. In Perris, I used to play in Sunday leagues and tournaments. I wish that I had this kind of training back them.”

For the Flash Gomez usually plays on the left side of the defense and he has been sharing time with several other players. He has started three of the five games to date and has one goal to his credit.

Currently, the Flash is a team in search of a league. This season they are playing a series of benefit exhibitions with the hope of joining a league next year. CEO Clenton Alexander came up with the idea of using the games to raise money and awareness for organ donation. Alexander spent eight years on kidney dialysis before receiving a donor kidney. It has given him a new lease on life. He decided to use his soccer team to give something back. Building on Alexander’s original idea, the Flash have partnered with Make a Wish, Donate for Life, The Cardiovascular Disease Foundation, The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, The National Kidney Foundation, The National Multiple Sclerosis Society and on Saturday June 19, Kick for Hope which aids African children’s charities.

Gomez is pleased to see his efforts on the field benefiting these various causes. He is hoping that the team will benefit and develop too. The hope is that the Flash will be successful enough here to one day become part of the MLS.

Undefeated thus far, the Flash returns to Balboa Stadium for a match on Saturday, June 19 at 4:00 p.m. Tickets are just $5. For additional information: www.sandiegoflashsoccer.com