Soccer Days

The soccer playoffs have come and gone.  We had fun watching Andrew (age 17) and Anthony (age 13) win their league championship game.  They are both on the same team, AJ plays defense and Anthony plays offense.   Both teams were scoreless, until the last minute of the second half.  Then their team scored and won the game, so exciting and fun to watch.  AJ has been on the team 5 years now, the first 2 years they didn't even win a game!  Both teams played well, its a shame someone had to lose.  


Fans are pretty civil at the older boys games, not so in the U8 league.  The parents are the worst, screaming and carrying on as if the future of the world depends on their son getting the ball and scoring for their team every time they get near the ball!!  There is always one grandfather screaming at the ref and coaches, usually the older man looks like he never kicked a soccer ball in his lifetime!


Michael's team (U8) only won 2 games all season, but it was fun seeing the boys play better and improving each game. They had a playoff game on Sunday, somehow they had made it past the first round.  Michael's team scored 2 goals late in the game to tie which forced overtime periods.  And guess who volunteered to be goalie????   Not me, but my 8 year old son, who by the way, is too hard on himself when he fails!!  


Mike and I were still at church, so the other 2 boys were watching as Michael did great and the game went to PK's.  We arrive at the field and as I am walking toward the field I see Michael in the box and lots of spectators (from all other games) watching and cheering as the other team take a PK.  I was MORTIFIED!!!  I hate seeing him miss the ball, then he's talking to himself, hitting his fists, and kicking the ground.  But Andrew and Anthony assure me that Michael is doing very well, he even made a diving save.  


The PK's are done for our team, we have 2 pts.  Now all eyes are on Michael as the last kid from the other team kicks the shot.  Right to Michael and through his legs....  Ugggg.  I feel so bad for him, I know he's mad at himself, I was sure he was going to cry.  


The other team is jumping up and down, celebrating.  Thankfully, our parents and coaches are congratulating our team and Michael.  They played a great, exciting, competitive game.  Michael didn't cry, and he seemed OK with missing the last ball, he's even smiling.....


Something for us all to think about when we are cheering on youth events.  If we are so happy for our kids who won, what about the kid on the other team who dropped the ball, missed the shot, or struck-out??   I am not saying that we should not have winning or losing teams, but simply that we should be dignified and respectful in our celebrating.