An Adults Only Play Date
I’ve been watching my daughter play soccer for more than a decade. First AYSO (they used to make daisy-chains on the field, during the game!), then competitive club (two-time defending champions!), and high school soccer. Watching her and the other girls grow as indiviuals and as a team has been one of the unsung joys of parenthood.
But how come the adults never get to play?
Turns out we can. There’s an adults only soccer league in Palo Alto, and it’s been around for years. Woo-hoo! I signed up for this fall season and played in my first game on Sunday.
Keep in mind, this is B league. Not Italian Serie A, English Premier, Spanish La Liga, or German Bundesliga. Just a bunch of men of varying skill level, some overweight, some graying, all looking for a fun time.
Since it was my first game ever (well, except for a year playing in my youth, but I had asthma back then and only got to play goalie), one guy on the other team felt he should school me. He received the ball, and I got into a defensive stance to cover him. His teammates called for him to pass, and he said “No, it’s no problem.” Me, no problem? WTF!
He made a move and went right past me. Doh! What he didn’t realize is I workout a ton, cycling and running, and I’m fast. I chased him down and took the ball right away. Ha. He wasn’t so cocky after that.
While I haven’t played before, I have coached two seasons of AYSO. And I watch a lot of Italian soccer. In fact, I prepped the night before by watching AC Milan on Tivo, studying the moves of Brazilian superstar Ronaldinho. (Like I did even one of his moves.)
Most of my soccer knowledge, though, comes from watching my daughter. I know basic strategy, basic technique, how to call for the ball, how to send it through. Give-and-gos, overlaps, offside traps – all these things are engrained in my brain. And I did them all. I even took a shot! (A poor choice, it turns out, since a nearby teammate was wide open and would have crushed the ball into the back of the net. But hey, it’s B league, so who cares!?)
My speed and endurance made up for my lack of skill. I definitely held my own in this play date. And even if I didn’t have Ronaldinho’s moves, I knew I looked good.
My daughter helped me pick out my cleats.
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Comment by SingleParentDad
| September 15th, 2008
Soccer? Surely you mean football!
Glad to hear you’ve found a league to play in. Here there are leagues everywhere, Saturday, Sunday, indoor, outdoor, five-a-side. It doesn’t stop there, it is the default sport in this country, and you never have to go far to find a kick-about that suits your skill and fitness level. I haven’t played for a while, I was half-decent as a youngster, and used to love it, until it became too serious, then I switched to cricket, which I’m sure you’ll know well about.
Have you set yourself up as a defender, midfielder or striker? Sounds like if you have the pace and athleticism you should be a winger, a la the least poplular brit in LA right now.
If you need any tips let me know.
SingleParentDad’s last blog post..Like Father, Scratch That, Like Mother Like Son
Comment by mama llama
| September 15th, 2008
HA! I bet you DID look good out there! What fun! Makes me want to get back into volleyball–but oh, whenever to find the time??
I’ve always been a big Pele fan, myself.
Good for you, and I am so glad you had fun! Be well, Dads.
mama llama’s last blog post..the lone box of raisins
Comment by Kitkat4real (SOLO dot MOM)
| September 15th, 2008
Great blog. I’m sure you had a blast…. and so… you looked good, huh? :)
Comment by Cathouse Teri
| September 15th, 2008
So, your cleats are pink? ;)
I have a friend who plays soccer, too. She’s so cute. She was amazed at how much it wears you out, even when you are in great shape. I guess you use some muscles you don’t always use? At any rate, this friend of mine will be 49 years old at the end of this month. She has eight children. Yep, I said EIGHT! And she gave birth to all of them! Yet, she looks almost exactly as she did when she was 18! She’s a cool cat.
Here’s a funny story about her, my soccer-playing-soccer-mom. Once, I asked her what her email address was. She told me and it was something like mary7@aol.com. Now, her name is not “mary,” but then I remembered her middle name is, so that explained that. Then I asked why the 7? (I always ask people about their nombre of choice for email and screen names. I find it fascinating.) She said, “Well, my husband signed us up and picked the names, so when he gave me mine, I asked him the same thing. He replied, ‘It’s for our seven kids,’ and I said, ‘We have eight kids!’ He said, ‘Oh, I keep forgetting about the baby!’” Hee hee.
Comment by T
| September 15th, 2008
Woohoo!! You go Dad!!
Sounds like fun for you. And I would enjoy watching you. I’m sure you were totally hot on the field!
Have a great Monday!
T’s last blog post..Friday night heat
Comment by Single Mom in New England
| September 15th, 2008
So who won the game? Or maybe it doesn’t matter? Glad you found a league for yourself!! We’re starting indoor leagues here, since winter is fast approaching – not the same as outdoor!
Comment by The Exception
| September 15th, 2008
Adults definitely need play dates. (I have yet to convince my daughter of this, but I keep trying)
What a fun way to spend part of your weekend. (Other than that, I ditto what T said above – she often writes my thoughts before I have a chance!)
The Exception’s last blog post..Gems from Living with the Diva
Comment by dadshouse
| September 15th, 2008
No pink cleats! But I do have those fancy side laces that don’t affect the flight of the ball. The wayward shots are the result of my own bad kicking!
Comment by Lance
| September 15th, 2008
I suck at soccer but LOVE to watch it. I’m a men US MNT fan, I like Fulham in the premiership, and (unfortunately) I follow LA in the MLS.
I am really good at the sport I coach, though, and I stayed jacked up about it because of the kids I coach. their enthusiasm and energy rubs off for sure.
Lance’s last blog post..Does Race and Size Really Matter?
Comment by Holly Hoffman
| September 15th, 2008
The BF played organized & played on both a co-ed and men’s league team in SA, and LOVED it. As soon as he gets back there, I’m sure he’ll be playing again.
A man who plays soccer is hot, hot, hot. Period.
Holly Hoffman’s last blog post..Some things really are sacred
Comment by Lia
| September 15th, 2008
I played competitive soccer all through high school and part of college. I quit when I was like 20 and didn’t play for like 5 years. My husband and I joined a co-ed adult league and I went out there and played like I was 18 again. Man was I sore for days. I can’t even imagine playing now because I can’t convince myself to not go out and play like I used to.
I hope you have a great time!
Lia’s last blog post..The Big Winner
Comment by krn
| September 15th, 2008
Great blog, I’m hooked. :)
Okay, so what color of cleats did your daughter pick out then?
Whatever the color, I bet you did look good since it sounds like you were enjoying yourself out there!
Comment by dadshouse
| September 15th, 2008
Lia – I have to admit, I am SORE today. ALL OVER.
Krn – thanks! The “boot” is black. Nike. Sweet.
Comment by Laura
| September 16th, 2008
You go baby!!
Sounds like it was loads of fun ;o)
Mmmm maybe I need to see if we have a club here and take up being a soccer spectator :-P
Comment by NewWrldYankee
| September 16th, 2008
I was a softball – taking up soccer in Europe? Are you kidding me?!! There is a casual uni soccer league here, but I’d be laughed off the field. The last time I played soccer was in gym class and I am in country of experts. EEK!
Comment by Vinomom
| September 16th, 2008
We start soccer today here as well. This will be my DD sixth or seventh season, and I love watching her play. Her enthusiasm is waning though. An adult league sounds like loads of fun! They even have kickball teams out here for adults as well. Next time look into a coed team so you can meet some pretty soccer Moms :)
Vinomom’s last blog post..My First Meme