Richmond soccer player could play in Homeless World Cup

For one homeless Richmond soccer player, an appearance at the Street Soccer USA Cup in Washington may lead him to a chance to play on the international stage.

Paul Bigstaff was chosen yesterday to be included in the pool of players available to represent the United States in the Homeless World Cup in Milan, Sept. 6-13.

The Richmond Rebels, the city's homeless soccer team, competed in the national tournament this past weekend.

The Rebels were winless in their first seven games -- they tied Atlanta on Saturday -- before securing their only victory, a 3-1 decision over St. Louis yesterday in their final game of the tournament.

Bigstaff scored two goals in the Rebels lone win. Richmond finished the three-day tournament 1-6-1.

"It's not definite because they still have to narrow down the pool into a smaller group of players to make the final selection, but he's in the pool," Rebels assistant coach Daryl Grove said of Bigstaff's selection.

The top eight players from Street Soccer USA Cup will represent America at the World Cup in Italy.

The Richmond Kickers and a host of volunteers work with the Daily Planet to support the Rebels. The Kickers donated their 26-bed sleeping bus to transport the players to D.C.

-- Jeremy Slayton