Soccer

We jumped off the bridge they call AYSO soccer today, saying goodbye to our weeknights and Saturdays in the process. But we thought it was time to at least let the boys try organized sports, so we took advantage of last week’s late signups and got them both on a team. Unfortunately, their two-year age difference makes it so they can’t play on the same team, which translates into two weeknight practices and two Saturday games at different parks. Today we had to be an hour early for Ezra’s 11:30 game at Victory Park in order to let the kids collect their uniforms, choose a team name, and warm up for their game. By game time it was nearly 90 degrees, but the kids were troopers. Sweaty, tired troopers, but troopers nonetheless. Here are some pictures from the day.

First, Ezra’s team — the Black Strikers — warms up.

Pre-game warmups

The coin toss failed to hold Ezra’s attention; that’s him (#4) on the right looking off in the other direction.

Coin toss, Ezra not interested

Here are a couple of shots from the game and a short video of what Ezra looked like during most of it. I realized watching him that he had no idea what to do. We’ve never even watched a soccer game. He was a little timid but managed to have a couple of kicks, a block, and a throw in.

Ball coming at Ezra

Ezra's throw in

Ezra said he had fun playing, but that he was super hot. That’s an improvement over his statement as we were walking to the game: “Mommy, I wish you’d never signed me up for this.” Poor kid. I’m so glad he had a good time, but I do think his favorite part was the half-time oranges.

Halftime oranges - Ezra's favorite part

Finn’s game started at 12:30 in La Canada, so once Ezra was done we high-tailed it over there and caught the last 15 minutes or so of the Blue Ninjas. The under 6 set is really cute. Finn is an entirely different kind of player — he’s fearless and pretty aggressive considering he also doesn’t have any idea how to play. He told me later that he liked taking the throw ins so whenever he saw the ball go out he ran over. He took three of them while I was there. Here’s one.

Finn's throw in #3

I love the tongue out. He does it while he’s running sometimes, too.

Running

Running to the coach

After the game there’s the traditional handshake.

Shaking hands with the ref

And the adults form a tunnel for the kids to run through — that seemed to be a kid favorite.

End of game tunnel

All in all a good day. And it’s nearly 7:00 p.m. now and they still haven’t taken off their uniforms.

Ezra in uniform

Finn in uniform