Naif Al-Baiji of Hafr-al-Batin, Saudi Arabia.

Naif Al-Baiji has loved playing soccer as early as he can remember, he says. Back in Saudi Arabia, he dreamed of becoming a professional soccer player. But, after his father died, his older brother encouraged him to pursue his education. So, Al-Baiji is studying electrical engineering at Western Kentucky University. In his spare time he enjoys playing soccer with his friends and smoking hookah. These photos were taken at the Lovers Lane Soccer Complex in Bowling Green, Ky., in March 2011. All photos by Tabitha Waggoner.