Once upon a time, there was a young boy named Max who loved to play soccer. He had been practicing for months and was finally ready for the big conference tournament.

Max and his team made it all the way to the semifinals, and he was feeling nervous but also excited. As they walked onto the field, Max noticed that the opposing team was much bigger and stronger than they were. But Max didn't give up. He knew that his team could still win if they worked together and gave it their all.

As the game began, Max took his place on the bench, waiting for his chance to play. He watched as the action on the field unfolded, cheering on his teammates and studying the other team's moves. Finally, his coach called his name, and Max ran onto the field, eager to show what he could do.

As the game went on, Max worked hard, but the other team was tough. They were playing a great defense and keeping Max's team from scoring. Max didn't give up though, he continued to work hard and was determined to help his team win.

With only a few minutes left in the game, Max saw an opportunity to take control. He dribbled past a few defenders and then passed the ball to his teammate. His teammate took a shot, but it was blocked by the other team's goalie. Max was there, ready to get the rebound, but the other team's player got there first and tried to clear the ball.

Max was quick, and he managed to check the player, stealing the ball back. He looked up and saw that the goal was open, so he took a shot. The ball sailed into the net, and the crowd erupted in cheers. Max's team had scored the winning goal!

Max's team went on to win the championship, and Max was proud of himself and his teammates. They had worked hard and never gave up, even when things were tough. Max learned that with determination and teamwork, anything is possible.

Reflections

1. Who is Max in the story?
2. What was the big soccer tournament that Max and his team were playing in?
3. How did Max feel when he first saw the other team in the semifinals?
4. What did Max do when his team needed a goal in the game?
5. What did Max learn from playing in the tournament?
6. Why was the crowd cheering at the end of the game?
7. What does the word "check" mean in the story?
8. What does the word "bench" mean in the story?
9. Was Max's team the favorite to win the tournament? Why or why not?
10. Can you think of a time when you faced a challenge but worked hard and didn't give up? How did it turn out?