Digital Father Podcast

Ouch! My quads!

Yesterday was the last meeting of my son’s rec soccer team.

You see, he’s been playing on the team for 8 years, and the guys age out this year. They completed their last season undefeated,. To celebrate (which we would have done whether they had won or not) we had a pizza party, preceded by a Fathers vs Sons exhibition game. OK- we had a Mom, which was great! As a matter of fact, I believe she was the high scorer! But I jump ahead…

The teams were unbalanced at the outset. We had 7 men against 11 boys. We were not too worried, because the men have learned one thing since we started doing this- they can run faster and longer than us, so we have to play zone and pass very smartly. I played midfield center, with 2 defensemen behind me. We had 3 men on offense, who were supplemented by the one woman, who arrived late.

At the outset, the boys were confident. It didn’t take long, however, for them to realize that they had to worry somewhat. As we put a few shots on net, and made some fairly long and patient passes, they brought their game a little harder. Well, they actually started cheating. Then yelling at us for cheating. Then sending everyone up on offense to put more pressure on the net.

This is when you discover the difference between 13 and 40 years old. 40 year olds are more patient. 40 year olds can lose without embarrassment. 40 year olds don’t sweat giving up a goal in an hour-long game. However, 13 year olds begin disputing all of the calls. They begin to play very physically. They hang on the opposing goalie. They run intentionally into their fathers.

All that being said, we had a good time, and besides, we expect that kind of thing in a family soccer game. In the end, we had a 3-3 tie when the pizza arrived. The boys were very disappointed, and would have played for as long as it took to get ahead by one goal. We set the end at the next goal or the arrival of the pizza, and the tired adults gladly walked off with an honorable ending for all.

There were some touching goodbyes among the parents, since the boys will see one another in school, but we will not see the parents as much as we did before. This was a social occasion as much as a sporting event. I’ll miss it, in some small way. I will enjoy having my Saturdays back, but the cold snap on the fall will always remind me of that great rec soccer team. The one in which we all said we would come back, but only if the coaches came back too. The one where the adults played the kids, and called out plays for them in the early days so they could score. We left, stating that we would be back next year to play a rematch.

It may take me that long just to recover. My quads and hamstrings are killing me!

Thanks to all you soccer coaches out there. You are greatly appreciated by those of us without the time and talent to do what you do. (This means you, Rich!)