From Fan to Player

When Sydney was about a 18 months old I remember being woken up in the darkness one morning (the clock read 4am) to the chants of "Seattle!...Sounders!!!," the teams most popular cheer.  At that early age, I knew it was only a matter of time before she made the switch from soccer fan to soccer player some day.

She already had a rich history of watching the English Premiere League games and Sounders games on TV.  She's also attended a few Sounders games in person (loved every minute of it), not to mention countless of my own games.



Sydney's first Sounders
Experience.

She may have been prepared to play earlier in her life, but unfortunately there are no leagues for those under 3 years of age.  But now that she has hit that milestone, we look forward to Monday night practices and Wednesday night soccer games.  She's ecstatic because she also gets to be on the purple team.


GOOOAAALLL!!!!

She's been working on her kicking, dribbling, and shooting, but I expect next month she'll be ready for diving headers and bicycle kicks.  Actually, at this age it's more like 'swarm' soccer, or as I used to refer to it, 'the blob.'  Positions are really meaningless.  Strategy- not even a concept yet.  It's mostly an act of kids surrounding a ball and kicking at it.  In fact, most times you have to remind them to turn around and go in the right direction.


Sydney's second annual trip
to the Sounders!

There's no pressure from us...we actually just want her to have fun.  If she wants to do it again, that's great.  If not, I'm sure she'll have 100 other interests to pursue!

More to come activity surrounding this new sport activity for Sydney.  In the meantime, we hope you all have a good weekend!!!



Sydney gets in the mix and dazzles
with her amazing skills!





Dad tells Sydney the secrets to
a good slide-tackle!