Medical student Syed Ali Adil fell in love with soccer at age 4, inspired by two uncles who played professionally, one for Afghanistan's national team.

"As a kid, I spent almost every hour of every day with a ball at my feet. I got so good that people would come and watch just to see me play. I remember dreaming about playing in the World Cup and getting to meet my favorite players," he said.

Adil moved to the United States at age 10. The fifth-grader didn't speak English and didn't know anyone in school. "Soccer was an easy way to make friends, and making friends made it easier to learn the language and adjust to life here in the U.S.," he said. "I have always loved participating in a variety of sports and love the thrill of competing."

He took up football in the U.S. as well, often playing pickup games with neighborhood kids. "I even broke a couple of teeth playing tackle football with kids much older than I was," he remembered.

He continued with soccer through high school, then began playing in tournaments throughout the U.S. and Canada.

In addition to playing on WSU's intramural soccer team, which he joined in his second year of medical school, Adil also plays intramural football and basketball, and spends his summers playing with a Buffalo, N.Y., amateur men's soccer league he joined after high school.

"I have always been pretty athletic and usually get by on my athleticism alone in whatever sport I play. I participate in sports because of my love for competition and the enjoyment I get from challenging myself. Sports have been an easy way of making friends, meeting new people, going to new places and a means to self-improvement," he said. "Playing sports during medical school has allowed me a means to alleviate stress, recharge and refocus. However, I don't play sports because it's an escape from work or study. I play because of my love for sports and competition."

Adil has received dozens of individual accolades and awards for his soccer prowess, including an individual Golden Boot award for most goals scored at a July tournament in Chicago.