Not everyone will agree with me, but I think it’s a lot more fun to play soccer in the fall than it is in the summer. You’re not breathing in thick July air, swimming through humidity or writhing due to cramps. It’s cooler, the ground’s a little softer and the atmosphere awakens memories of your high school soccer glory days.

Beginning at 8 a.m. Sunday, FC Buffalo hosts the city’s first Soctoberfest, a one-day, 7 v. 7 soccer tournament boasting three divisions: men’s competitive, men’s recreational and co-ed. The games will be held in Delaware Park occupying the two small fields close to the 198 (best to park on Nottingham or along the ring road) and the field behind the tennis courts, directly in view of Nichols School.

The cost is $250 for registering a team (minimum seven players, max 13), and each team is guaranteed at least four, 30-minute games through a round-robin and playoff format. Payment is accepted via PayPal on the FC Buffalo website, and the pre- and post-parties will be held at Mes Que, Buffalo’s lone soccer-only bar situated at 1420 Hertel Ave., Buffalo. Any questions can be sent to FC Buffalo co-owner Scott Frauenhofer at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

If they so desire, players can participate on one co-ed team and one men’s team but cannot suit up for two different men’s teams.

The Soctoberfest idea was spawned after Frauenhofer participated in a similar tournament in Burlington, Ontario organized by former NPSL owner and Director of New Team Acquisition Christopher Keem. I was fortunate enough to join Frauenhofer on the squad (pictured as the header), and the team finished as runners-up out of an eight-team field.

Rumors are circulating that FC Buffalo players Kendell McFayden, Andy Tiedt, Ryan Walter and Josh Hall will be participating in the tournament that’s slated to run through the early afternoon. The Buffalo Bills don’t play until 4:15 p.m. on the road against the San Francisco 49ers, so you won’t miss any NFL action.