Soccer Season Begins

So this year we have 3 kids playing soccer! Michael, Ryan and Amanda. We were hesitant putting all 3 in, mostly because of games, how would we be able to get to all 3 games on the same day? How would we be able to shuttle all 3 to practices if they ended up on the same day? Christina would have played, but we sorta told her she couldn't. We couldn't imagine FOUR in soccer at the same time. Not without help, anyway. She said she didn't really want to play, so we didn't push it. Well, luckily for us, all their practices are on different days. Phew! And games? Well, Michael plays on Thursday nights (after Ryan's practice) and Ryan and Amanda play games on Saturdays. Looks like we lucked out on that too. So they started games this week. Michael played a great game! He played Goalie, and as a parent you are always nervous about this. What if he sucks? What if he gets scored on over and over again? You see the other team driving toward him and you just want to close your eyes and hope he stops the ball. Well, he did Awesome!! He stopped so many shots and I have to say, he looked really good playing that position. He usually plays up front (wing, is that what it is called?). Coach did take him out of goalie for a short time so he could play up front, he scored a goal! Woo Hoo!! Then he got hurt. A player from the other team pushed him to the ground and kinda trampled over him. He landed on his shoulder and bruised it pretty good. Coach saw he was hurting so he pulled him and put him back at goalie. Don't know if that was any better, but he managed to stop a few more, but unfortunately one got by him. A penalty kick that bounced off the goal and was followed up by a shot. Nothing he could do. Oh well. They tied. It was so fun to watch the teams. They were both really good. I was impressed. Unfortuantely we didn't get any pictures. Too dark.
So Saturday Ryan and Amanda played -at the same time, different fields. I watched Amanda's team the first half then we switched and I watched Ryan. Their teams were last minute wait list teams so they only got one practice in. It was a little obvious. When the other team kicked the ball to start the game -Amanda's game- all the girls just stood there and watched the other team drive to their goal and score. None of them moved! It was kinda funny. This happened 2 or three times before the girls figured out that they were suppose to go after the ball! Once they started to move, Amanda kinda took over. She was all over the place. I don't think some of the girls ever figured it out as they kept going the wrong direction and scored on our own goal for the other team I think 6 times! lol... One of the parents asked if Amanda had played before. I said no. She said 'wow, she'd good. She is aggressive!' (Yeah, she gets that from me!) I just laughed. Christina said in the second half she was grabbing girls and saying 'move!' 'my ball!' and 'get out of my way!' Looks like we may need to work on that! lol...

Ryan's team was fun to watch too. They are so little and their uniforms drown them. He has not taken off his jersey since the day he got it. He sleeps in it too! I finally convinced him to take it off one day so I could wash it! He is so excited to play soccer. Although when I first went over to his game he didn't really look that excited... He seemed a little bored! But eventually he got back into it. The term 'Bunch Ball' came to mind while watching them play. It was so cute to see these little kids running after the ball and trying to kick it. Ryan missed a few times. Most of the misses were harmless enough, but every once in a while he got another kid. I guess that is why they have shin guards. I have no idea who won, I don't think the kids even cared. I am looking forward to watching them play this season, and hopefully they get better as time goes on!