Midnight Game | SoccerMagic.com

Watch the Story

Before there was a book, there was a road trip. Watch the story behind Midnight Game.

Watch on YouTube

The embedded player has been removed for reliability. Use the button below to watch the video directly on YouTube.

The Road Trip

In 2007, Real San Jose entered the National Premier Soccer League as a new club. Like many new organizations, the club faced challenges that more established teams avoided.

One of those challenges was a difficult road trip to Albuquerque, New Mexico and El Paso, Texas. Faced with high travel costs and limited resources, the club chose a different path. Instead of spending money on airline tickets, Real San Jose purchased a used bus.

What began as a solution to a problem became one of the most recognizable parts of the club's identity and inspired the story told in Midnight Game.

Midnight Game book displayed in a bookstore setting

The Book

Midnight Game is based on a true story and follows the events surrounding Real San Jose's 2007 road trip. The story explores the decisions, challenges, mistakes, and unexpected opportunities that helped shape the club's future.

Midnight Game available on Kindle Unlimited

Find on Amazon Visit SoccerMagic.com

About the Author

Nick Arellano is the founder of Real San Jose, SoccerMagic.com, and Soccer Magic Magazine.

For decades, he has worked to promote soccer through publishing, coaching, education, software development, and community projects.

Midnight Game tells one of the many stories that emerged from that journey.

Lessons From the Road

Midnight Game is ultimately a story about solving problems.

When resources are limited, creativity matters. When challenges appear, there is often more than one solution. What looked like a difficult road trip became part of Real San Jose's identity.

Many of the projects featured throughout SoccerMagic.com share the same philosophy: find a problem, build a solution, and keep moving forward.

Explore SoccerMagic

Midnight Game is one chapter in the larger SoccerMagic story.

SoccerMagic RDA Patches Banners Real San Jose