PALATINE – Christian Meza was planning on pursuing his business career, content with how far soccer had taken him. Aaron Nichols was just looking for a chance to see if the game he fell in love with as a kid could lead to a life as a playing profession.

But for the two former area high school standouts, receiving a call from the Chicago Soul – an expansion team in the Major Indoor Soccer League – has opened the door to a new opportunity. But the chance also means Meza, a former Northwest Herald Player of the Year at Dundee-Crown, and Nichols, a top-notch defender at Marian Central, have had to make adjustments.

Both played Division I college soccer – Meza at Bradley and Nichols at Wisconsin – contributing in their own ways. And although both grew up playing together in the outdoor game with the Chicago Magic club team, both are rookies in a professional indoor league that forces them to look at soccer in a different way.