Ruby Lu Emerson’s feet never stop moving. On the concrete parking lot next to the Keach Park parking lot, in a small, knee-high, wooden octagon with chain-link mini goals, she’s queen of the ring.
Her goal is simple: score three goals or nutmeg — pass the ball through the legs of her opponent — in a one-on-one contest. Being good at the game of “panna” soccer is only simple in theory.
Street soccer aficionados of all ages line up waiting for their chance to challenge the 14-year-old from Hopkinton. Her thin frame and spry legs jump into action and the ball stays glued to her feet the whole time. Opponents lunge, opening up a window, and with a quick flick she beats them with a nutmeg.
“Panna’s probably my favorite of everything. I love it so much because you can be very big and score fast, but to win the game you have to nutmeg the opponent and you have to be skillful with that,” she said.
Emerson’s not just on top of the competition in Concord. She was flown out to Philadelphia, to Atlanta, to New York City to go up against some of the best street soccer players in the country and the world.
Her abilities and skills didn’t just sprout overnight. It started as simple training at home. It’s an everyday commitment. Two hours each day for years in her home, on tennis courts and at Keach Park.
She found videos on YouTube that taught her how to master new skills, and she got some help from her coaches at Samba X. Emerson started posting her skills videos to her Instagram page and has accrued an audience of her own, surpassing 2,000 followers.
“She finally started listening during training,” Samba X coach Spencer Nowe said jokingly about her progress as he watched her play at Keach.
Ruby Lu’s father, Zach Emerson, explained that the opportunity to travel up and down the East Coast started with a simple connection.
They established a relationship with Jack Downer, also known as “Street Panna,” a two-time world panna champion and professional street soccer player. He saw Ruby Lu’s potential. She said she’s idolized Downer for years after watching his videos.
He invited her to play a Nike TOMA street event in Philadelphia. Nike launched the events to bring out “joy, freedom and creative expression of the game,” and has organized them worldwide, culminating in a national championship.
Daughter, father and Nowe drove to it, met up with Downer and got to work. Philadelphia was where she had a chance to earn a wild card spot in Atlanta.
She faced boys much larger in stature and experience than her but didn’t shy away. She wasn’t even starstruck with having her favorite panna skiller watching her.
“They’re always surprised that she can do the things that she can do,” Zach Emerson said.
The way in which players manipulate the ball and keep it on an invisible string borders on art. The self-expression possibilities are limitless, with everyone having their own style and preferred moves.
Ruby Lu is no different. At Keach Park, she wears baggy denim shorts, worn-out Nike shoes she got before going to Philly, a chain hanging in front of her shirt and her staple space buns hairstyle.
She earned a wild card spot with top performances at that first Nike TOMA event. From then on, Nike flew her out to Atlanta to the United States Soccer Federation’s brand new national training center.
There, she was part of a large cohort of girls from across the country who earned their spots in regional competitions. She was by far the youngest and smallest girl there, surrounded by multiple Division I soccer commits. Once again, she proved she could play with anyone.
The last stop was the New York City finals. She met Brazilian legend Ronaldinho, U.S. women’s national team coach Emma Hayes and saw Travis Scott perform live after playing in front of 3,000 people.
Hopkinton’s Ruby Lu Emerson and Jack Downer, also known as “Street Panna,” one of the largest street soccer social media sensations in the world. Credit: Courtesy of Zach Emerson 
Ruby Lu Emerson booked a spot to the wild cards competition with Nike TOMA at the U.S. Soccer National Training Center in Atlanta, GA. Credit: Courtesy of Zach Emerson 
Ruby Lu Emerson (L) focuses on the tactical instructions of her coach at the Nike TOMA national championships in New York City after proving herself to be one of the most talented young girls in street soccer. Credit: Courtesy of Zach Emerson 
Ruby Lu Emerson talks to U.S. women’s national team coach Emma Hayes at the Nike TOMA finals in New York City. Credit: Courtesy of Zach Emerson
Back in Concord on a Friday night, she played how she always does. She received 10 pairs of free shoes, access to the fanciest facilities and met some of the biggest names in the soccer world. It didn’t change her approach, although the experience was awesome, she said.
Unfazed by her opponent and focused on winning, the traveling and competition showed her what the future holds if she keeps going.
“I want to do what Street Panna is doing, obviously, and just travel the world with my skills and showcase everything. But I also want to go professional in like literally everything: soccer, futsal, even panna,” Emerson said.