Where It's All About Goals

But he came to realize, he said, that it works to dispel stereotypes and shows homeless people as able to do more than "stand in a soup line."

The first Homeless USA Cup tournament was in 2006, and players were selected to compete in the Homeless World Cup in Scotland. Last year's World Cup in Denmark hosted nearly 500 players from 48 nations. Players will be selected from the D.C. tournament to represent the United States in December's World Cup in Australia. Yesterday, the D.C. team placed third in the third division. The Minneapolis-St. Paul team won the top division's USA Cup, and an all-star team will go on to Australia.

Some teams drove to the District; others flew. The men and women stayed in dormitories at George Washington University, and they spent time sightseeing as well as watching D.C. United play the Los Angeles Galaxy yesterday afternoon.

For many players, the trip to Washington was their first. Marcus Davis, 40, of St. Louis said he was overcome by "going to the very spot" near the Lincoln Memorial where the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his 1963 "I Have a Dream" speech.

Funding has come from various sources, including Washington businessman and philanthropist Ted Leonsis, who produced a documentary, "Kicking It," which tells the story of the Homeless World Cup. It is playing a short run at E Street Cinema in the District.

For Jones, the tournament offered a chance to connect and have fun after years of moving from place to place and abusing drugs and alcohol.

Jones is interning with Stoops's coalition this summer. He said he found his time in Washington to be life-altering, especially after seeing the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum and facilities at King's shelter.

"I realized I didn't have it as bad as I thought," he said.

Jones plans to return in the fall to Franklin College in Indiana, which he said he has been attending for two years while living in various places. He said he doesn't know where he will live.