A recent social‑media post from the Los Angeles Dodgers showcased a light‑hearted soccer juggling contest that took place on June 11, just days before the United States is slated to host the 2026 World Cup. The video, shared on the team’s official channels, invited several players to see how many consecutive kicks they could manage with a soccer ball.
Juggling Numbers Tell a Story
The challenge featured a roster of MLB standouts, including right‑hander Roki Sasaki, outfielder Andy Pages, starter Yoshinobu Yamamoto, catcher Dalton Rushing and veteran slugger Mookie Betts. Each athlete was given a single chance to keep the ball aloft, and the results varied widely.
Sasaki’s attempt ended after just three touches, a modest tally that contrasted sharply with Pages’ impressive run of 83 consecutive kicks, the highest recorded in the session. Yamamoto managed five juggles before electing to kick the ball away, while Rushing reached six before doing the same. Betts, known for his versatility across the diamond, managed only two successful kicks.
For context, team captain Christian Pulisic, a recognized star of the U.S. men’s national team, was cited as a benchmark for soccer proficiency, underscoring the athletic crossover that the Dodgers were exploring.
While the exercise was largely symbolic, it offered fans a glimpse of their favorite ballplayers in a different arena, blending the competitive spirit of baseball with the global appeal of football ahead of the sport’s premier tournament.