Soccer is a beautiful sport, and I think we all can appreciate the poetic performances and fancy footwork of professionals, particularly when the World Cup rolls around.  But I think that RECREATIONAL KIDS’ SOCCER is arguably even more entertaining than even the most epic artistry displayed by professional players.  Where do their shorts end and the socks begin?  It’s impossible to tell, and it’s also impossible to predict exactly what will happen each week in these Youth Leagues. 

There is generally one kid on the team who has actually ever played, and the rest of the kids are mainly Lawn Ornaments who are there for the post-game Capri Suns.  Several kids can be found on the periphery flopping around like seals, and oftentimes the “Goalkeeper” can be found karate chopping the air and doing Ninja poses.  The rest of the team clusters together in the middle of the field, an amorphous blob of multicolored shinguards and cleats steadily orbiting around the ball until someone sits or lays down on it.  The fastest that anyone runs is typically to the bathroom or when word gets out about the precise location of some Goldfish Crackers or Gummy Bears.

And where is Levi, a usual fixture in the midfield for our team?  Oh there he is!  He’s playing Wiffle ball with a few other kids on a nearby field…in his soccer uniform!

Meanwhile, a random guy is walking his dog…no wait, that’s a GOAT…along the outside of the field.  Only in Idaho…

“Damian, now is NOT the time to be flossing!” screams the coach, although Damian’s dance moves are much more impressive than his tendency to blast the ball out of bounds whenever it comes near him.

We have scored two goals this season…both for the other team.  But that Sportsmanship Award is still very much in play…in fact, we are HAPPY to contribute to the success of others! 

And isn’t that what life is really all about????