Soccer Magic

Eva and Emilio played hard soccer with their teams this past weekend in the Land Park Shootout. We were on soccer fields all day, both days. The temperature was in the upper 90s, both days. Eva's team, the Extreme, played all four of their games with only 10 players, no substitutes. That means that each of the girls was on the field for each of the 40 minute halves played.

There are times when I find things my children do to be odd. Playing competitive soccer in the heat is one of those things. They did not get their soccer genes from me. Their grandpa watched the morning games. He is fond of believing that the children's "extreme" soccer and inclinations toward athleticism are somehow hard on them. It is all too much, don't I think?

Respectfully, there are some woosy genes on my side of the pool, and I got them. Eva and Emilio did not. Not once, the entire weekend, did I hear one girl on Eva's team complain about the heat. Not one time did I hear a girl say she was too tired, or needed to come off the field. Not one time did a girl make an excuse or hesitate, not once. Each of those 10 girls remained on the field, in the heat, and played her heart out for her team.

And, they won. They kept winning. Against all odds they made their way to Sunday's 5:00 pm championship game. Small miracle (throw in some good skill), times 10. Those young ladies were something.

First half, no score. Second half, no score. Parent leaves to get more cold water. First 10 minute overtime half, no score. The parents are unsettled. Second 10 minute overtime...no score. I was experiencing feelings and reactions that I am ashamed to own. I felt occasionally juvenile. All the while, my daughter was out there on the field, in the heat, playing the best she knew how, trying desperately to score a goal for her team.

Eva's team won the under 16 girls championship in penalty kicks. It was really a moment. It was one of those rare, sweet moments when it is so great to be a parent. She might as well have been an Olympian...
Mostly though, I am in awe of her ability to play on a team, under the harshest of circumstances, and stay committed to her team mates. Lifelong skills, those are.

Emilio's team played the Sunday evening championship game also. They also went into overtime. They took second place in under 14 boys.

Dad stayed home in the cool of the house, and finished off the Sunday New York Times. Boy, though, was he proud.

We celebrated that evening with BBQ and soccer stories.

Magic...