Sam's team is called The Soccer Muscles. At first she suggested the Clouds, the Leaves, the Rainbows or the Unicorns. When I hinted that we might want something stronger, she came up with the Muscles, rightly exclaiming that "they are really strong mom!" The name stuck and our season rocked. We went 9-0-1 thanks largely in part to one of our star players whom I've heard referred to as the next Beckham, Messi, Pele and Landon Donovan. One mom on our team jokingly asked me if he would sign her sons jersey so that when he was famous she could prove he played U-5 soccer with her son. At least I think she was joking. Samantha had a break out Spring season. She was so close to not wanting to play again until she had a game in which she scored, then another great game and then an amazing goal in our last game of the year. She told me after she scored, "mom, I saw the guy on this side so I shot it to the other side." I am one proud mommy.
Ryan's U-7 team is called The Aces. This was her third season on the same team with me as assistant coach. Unfortunately this team was never able to rack up the wins but their abilities on the field improved dramatically. Ryan earned the nickname "the Wall of Ryan" from one of the dads for her defensive prowess. She loves the accolades but I fear that she thinks she's learned all there is to learn. Contrary to her own beliefs, she has some work to do but she has great potential and is one of the better players. Next season the girls on our team are breaking off and starting an all girls team called Girl Power. I will be the head coach and I'm so excited. One thing three seasons of coaching has taught me is that the girls are much more coachable than the boys at this age. Maybe the boys don't want to listen to a lady coach but I find the girls actually listen and try to learn. The boys are there to run around and rough house. Obviously there are exceptions, we have a few great boys on both of our teams.
I'm surprised at how much a institution soccer is in the lives of the families that participate, my own included. If you like it, you love it, and you look forward to soccer Saturdays and practices and the camaraderie. Friendships are formed on the sidelines as we root for our friends' kids and much as our own. We go for slushies after practice, we learn about the off-field goings on in others' lives, we socialize and bond and learn to love the fact that one girl shows up late in high tops and skinny jeans and one boy never has a ball and one kid is going to tell you all about the new gym his family joined as he runs down the ball for a pass. It's all part of the experience and I hope my girls continue to love it as much as I do.
