The State of Soccer

There are soccer highlight reels that are inspiring to watch and they might even bring a tear to the eye. They chronicle goals that impossibly reach the back of the net, moves that defy gravity and and moments of genius.

That is not what today is about.

Today is about the hard, smelly road of soccer for the moms and for the kids. There are days that I just want my girls to come out alive, without major injury. Amongst the kids on their teams, there have been many concussions, broken ankles, knee injuries, bloody noses, sprained everything, and too many cuts and bruises to count. People wonder why I carry an extra set of crutches around in my car. Because the fields are a long way from the car, and these kids are too old to carry! Hellloooo!!

But look, this girl is so considerate of my Izzy, that she is trying to wipe her nose for her. Wow. So thoughtful!


Thanks. How about you sit on my kid. That would be great. What is going on? Were you trained by the Minnesota Vikings defensive line?




It's alright, my baby is strong. Plus, you made her so mad, that she challenged you back and ruined your ability to pass the ball. She might rip your hip socket out of joint. I would watch your back if I were you.

I know people think my life is all glamorous, going from one soccer game to the next to the next to the next. Scheduling drop offs and pickups with my husband and still having to go to the same field 3 times a night, twice a week to get the kids. Waking up at 6:30am on a Saturday so we can get to a field on time. Standing in the pouring rain for 2 hours, holding an umbrella, and STILL trying to take pictures with my other hand. Not to mention the heart palpitations, the gasping when my babies get hurt, and the general state of concern I have for their well being.

I know, it makes people green with envy.

It's glamorous for the kids too, as you can tell.

Here are Izzy's knees that are already turning purple from bruising and have bloody spots where the turf has worn the skin away. All in a days work.

But somehow, they love it. Day in and day out, they are at it again and again. They must have an extra strand of chromosome somewhere that is the mega sports gene or something.

Izzy didn't even have practice or a game today, and still she is on the couch, in her shorts and soccer shoes ready to go. So we went and found a field and played around. I was verrry coordinated the entire time. Really.

Cleats on the couch? Seriously? This is why we can't have nice things people!!

We have soccer junk EVERYWHERE. We have turf EVERYWHERE.

We even have a soccer bag drying on a shoe drier (thank you incessant rain for that one). All their gear is soaked every single ever loving DAY. Enough already!!

Izzy loves it when I get pictures like this one. I call her my flying ninja (it has happened more than once). It is to her benefit though, look how she is freaking the people out around her. They are grimacing and the ball is nowhere near them! Izzy is kicking the ball towards the ref in case you needed some perspective. Is your hamstring alright honey? Can I get you anything?

Stop tackling my baby!!!!!!!!!!!!! Are you okay Maria? Come here, and I will put you in my pocket and keep you safe and warm. Do you need a jacket? Do you have enough water? Are you sore? Let's hug.

Quick, get a chiropractor!! Why does soccer involve the head? This hurts me.

Oh look, not 7 feet away from the shoe drier, we have ANOTHER soccer bag hanging in the kitchen. Nice. It's not like they smell or anything.

In one week, this is the laundry I get. You would think I have 14 kids of my own playing soccer. Yup, this is the life, hand me some more bon bons please.

Oh great. At the exact same time that these soccer socks are ready to be folded, this is what I come across in the next room.

Smelly socks and smelly shoes.

Sometimes I wonder why I love this game so much. Where the passion comes from that drives me to watch my kids play soccer, my friends kids play soccer, my sister's kids play soccer, and I have been known to watch games that I don't know any of the kids on the field. How can Morrie and I put up with the early mornings, piles of dirty clothes, turf in OUR OWN shoes, water bottles spread across each room of the house, lost jerseys, and endless amounts of gear that needs to be purchased for a game where you only play with your feet and ONE ball.

I must have 8 extra strands of that mega soccer gene.

Because, even with all of the things we just discussed, I still really love this game!

Hey, can someone turn on FOX soccer, let's see who is playing!