Evan's 1st Soccer Games of His 4th Season

Evan has always loved soccer.  It is probably his most favorite sport he has played so far, and he really possesses a lot of skill on the field.  He really excelled the last two years he played.  He has played two years of U6 and one year of U8 so far.  Unfortunately, our old league could not get the league together this year for some reason so we were forced to find a new league.  We begrudgingly chose one of the bigger leagues in town.  We were slightly disappointed to find out that they don't have individual team jerseys and that they play U8 by most leagues' U6 standards (meaning only 4 kids on the field with no goalies).  Sigh.  We were a little worried that this would be like going backwards for Evan and that he would not be able to progress much in the sport this year.  So far, Evan seems to be on a good team with a coach that is teaching them some valuable skills for the game so we are hoping for the best.  They have "won" all of their last three games with the last two games being tougher match-ups.  The league does not keep up with scores and wins/losses so that is all unofficial.  There are also no referees so the coaches make all the calls.  As we have noted in the last couple of years, Evan has picked up being an offensive player better than being defensive.  It sometimes takes him a few games to really get back into his game and start really hustling on the field (summer laziness maybe?), but he has played better every game so far and has scored a goal in every game.  His last goal was a pretty awesome one where he really drove the ball to the goal and side kicked it passed several players to score.  Those shots are just so awesome to watch!

The boys wear either white shirts or blue jerseys depending on whether they are designated home or away team.

Getting the before game pep talk from Coach.  

Team cheer.

I think they finally settled on Dragons as their team name.

Evan throwing in the ball.  This was the really wet, humid day so they were sweating before the game even began.

I just watching him run.

Evan and his teammates are ready.  

Going after the ball.

End of game cheer.  It was a bit of a stomp at 13-0 since the other team had a lot of inexperienced players.

The end of game team handshakes.

Go Dragons!  Evan and the boy he is facing on the left are very good offensive players and work really well together.  I say in soccer, you always have to watch the little ones.  This one may be one of the smallest, but he is tough!

They got to wear blue for their second game.

It told Evan he was "floating" in this picture.  There are funny trick photography photos on the internet where people show how you pour water on the ground and then step to the side so that when you take the picture, it looks like your shadow like you are hovering above it.  This is not one of those shots.  He was literally caught with both feet off the ground.  He must have been really flying. 

And kicking up grass and dirt too!

Mommy, Papa, and Brody were watching the exciting game.  

Evan and his buddy, Ryan, being a defensive team again.

This was a close game with only a one or two point lead I think. 

They have quickly learned about being a team. 

Brody's 1st Soccer Experience

Like his brother Evan at 3, we signed Brody up for his first soccer class this fall.  Evan's soccer class was at an indoor soccer association.  Evan got a cute little soccer outfit and got his first sport's medal. We decided to let Brody do a soccer class at the YMCA because the location was more convenient.  Hopefully, he will enjoy the experience just as much.  He is a little more timid about the game so far, but he is doing well learning the techniques of the game.  He looked very cute dressed in big brother's old soccer uniform and cleats.  He was probably the most fully dressed soccer player on the field.  Since Evan's first game of the season was at the same time as Brody's class, Daddy and Mommy had to split up.  Mommy went to Brody's class, and Daddy went to Evan's game.  I let Daddy take our new camera with him to capture Evan in action since I wasn't really sure how Brody would act at the first class.  I took our old camera to take pictures, but I forgot I had removed the memory card so the camera couldn't hold more than a couple of pictures.  I did take a few pictures on my phone though.  He did well learning to stop, trap, and pass the ball and playing a thrilling game of red light green light to learn to dribble.

We tried to get a brother shot together on the first day of soccer, but Brody wanted nothing to do with it. 

Evan trying to coax Brody to smile. 

But Brody refused and just walked away.  Ha!

He actually did very well the first day.  He was timid, but he tried to do everything as instructed.  

When they played red light green light, he was usually one of the slowest and last players just because he refused to go fast. 

Coach teaching them to stop the ball with their foot. 

He didn't listen very well when the coach said "red light," but he was usually so far behind, he just wanted to catch up. 

He was dressed like a pro and just looked like such a big boy on the field.  It doesn't seem like he should already be old enough to start playing sports.  

Sitting and listening to the coaches. 

It was such a dreary and cloudy day after we had a lot of rain the night before so it was very humid, and he was a sweaty mess by the end. 

The next week's class had much better weather conditions, and Daddy and Evan got to attend.  

Showing Daddy how he can kick the ball. 

Trapping the ball.

Dribbling

Our adorable little soccer player

He seemed ready for a good day of soccer in the beginning, but with Daddy there, he wanted to be very clingy. 

Happy doing his warm up exercises.

Arm circles.

Jumping jacks or blasting off like a rocket.

Beginning the class with red light green light.

He looks happy so far.

Big brother and him doing a soccer pass. 

Nice throw.

Practicing dribbling.

Trying out being a goalie.  He didn't quite get stopping the ball from going in. 

And this picture is just so funny to me.  Brody has a lot of skill in throwing the "pity party" to get what he wants.  When he wants something or doesn't want to do something, he will pout, hold his tummy, and say "my tummy hurts."  Or if he wants some chocolate, he'll say, "My tummy hurts.  Chocolate make it all better."  Haha!