Ideally you play soccer when it’s sunny outside and not raining. More often than not, that’s not a reality when playing outdoor soccer in Seattle. Normally I play soccer games on Wednesday nights. This week I played a game late Monday night.
Generally we win our soccer games, but this season they moved us into a much more competitive division. The scores of the last two games aren’t solid indicators of our team’s talent, 12-2. We’re so so much better than those lopsided losses. Before this season we won five straight championships. Monday night’s game of 7-2 was a disastrous loss. We had to play one player short which made it tough for our team to stop their offense.
Anyways, my point isn’t to discuss the nuances of soccer. What I’d like to say is we got beat, fair and simple. A player on our team was in tears at the end of the game. I get it, she busts her ass and doesn’t want to lose. Neither do I. However, I look at a game of soccer as exercise for the day. I get a little social interaction mixed in with pentagons marks embedded in my thigh. It’s all part of the game.
I’m of the opinion it’s good to have your ass handed to you. No, I don’t like losing anymore than the next person. Losing a soccer match does force you to think about how you approach the game. I truly do believe winning isn’t everything because a little humble pie here and there is good for all. Of course this little story can be said for life in general too, but my body is sore so I’ve got soccer on my mind.
Ah…soccer. I was forced to play it in high school and dreaded every minute of it. Its just not my game. And we had one of those teams that never won any games. I’m sure it didn’t help that half of us were grudgingly there. Its good that you can see it as exercise of the day.
Amanda – if you let it get to you too much, the fun is lost. I’m not getting paid to play, in fact I’m paying to play. So why not have fun while out there? Soccer isn’t for everyone, that’s for sure.
Driving by the soccer fields and seeing all the parents huddled under the umbrellas made me appreciate that my daughter played volleyball in high school.
I totally love soccer. I play multiple times a week. I have been in the same situation where my team has won the championship and gets put in a more competitive league and then loses big time. I can be losing by a lot and still be laughing on the field. For me, it is the fun of the game. Is it more fun to win, yes, but I still love the game during a loss. Oh–and it is most definitely good exercise too!
Thanks for visiting my blog. Confession–I looked at yours the other day and was lazy and didn’t leave a comment!
I love playing soccer and watching my daughter play too. I can’t imagine crying over a lost game. I suppose at this point in my life, losing a soccer game is the least of my worries, as it is, after all, just a game.
I have to agree. Losing at soccer sucked and possibly induced tears in high school. As an adult, there are far things more sad than games.
yeah i can’t see crying over a soccer game either. except that, on occasion when I get sentimental, i’ve been known to cry while watching The Wonder Years, so maybe I don’t have a leg to stand on.
Crying over losing a game? That’s a bit extreme when there are far more serious things in life that bring tears to your eyes.
And nothing wrong with losing. It teaches us humility.
Humble Pie? Gracious- mom never taught us how to make that loser dessert. I think it was like that atrocious tamale pie she made ONCE. It just didn’t taste good and her boys deserved a better meal!
Losing at anything is humbling. I prefer to not be freezing or wet when it happens. Lessens the blow.
Maybe stick to Wed nite games.
Is she drinking coffee?! lol
I’m actually a really sore loser when it comes to major sports games… I don’t cry but I get really angry.
But when it comes to something I’m involved it, cheesy as it sounds, it’s not about winning — it’s about how you played the game. Besides, it just feels great to be running and playing. As long as I get that runner’s high, I’m golden.
I will admit, as a kid I played many sports – soccer, basketball, volleyball – and I do recall crying after a few losses. As an adult, I try to only compete against myself. Sometimes I still cry, but mostly out of frustration.
Two things: 1) those kind of scores knock you right out of the running for the tv thing b/c we’re all about winners here.
2)Can you talk to my husband? His little 3rd/4th grade soccer team lost yesterday, and it took him a good two hours to recover. (The actual soccer players were over it in 5 or so minutes.)
Meno – I think the rain only makes the soccer more experience more memorable. Rain is like adding spices to your food, it sweets the deal.
Jen – hello and welcome to my blog. It’s okay to swing by and not leave a comment. I’m a lot less active at blogging these days. Work calls. As long as you can still laugh while on the field. If you walk off the field annoyed or angry, you’re not playing for the right reasons. Thanks again for the visit.
Churlita – you’re dead on with this one. There’s no reason to cry, as an adult, over a game we play as children. I’m glad she’s competitive, but it did bum me out a bit.
Justrun – correct, they much more important things in life than the outcome of a co-ed soccer game played on a sandy field in the pouring rain.
Maggie – crying over a tv show is totally normal. I believe there’s nothing abnormal about your situation. I cry watching 90210 regularly.
Cléa – and couldn’t we all use a little more humanity? Yes, we could.
Big Bro – I’m not sure I remember the tamale pie. I usually didn’t get much food because the other kids ate so darn much. We really only had a certain dish once? That surprises me.
Emma – great advice, no more Monday night games. Crap, we have another one in a few weeks.
Felisa – you’re right, it’s about how you played. Granted we gave up seven goals and I was playing defense. I stopped a lot of shots that would have made the score even worse. I sacrificed my body to the ball because that’s how I roll.
QT – sometimes I cry too, but I usually am a private about it. My wife thinks I never cry, but for some reason I’m the most sappy when I’m alone in the car or get a wicked memory. Glad you’re back.
Gwen – funny how the adults take longer to get over a loss than the kids do. I can chat with your hubby. I’m not sure my discussion will convert him, but I can try. I want to be your TV BFF.