Spring Roundup

Quite uncharacteristically, I have not yet had a blog post about soccer this spring. It's not that I haven't thought about it. And it's not that we haven't been playing (you KNOW we've been playing). I don't know. I can't quite explain it.

But the wait is over (as is most of the season, I'm afraid)!

The truth is, we've all been enjoying soccer since mid-February and having quite a good time at it!

Though the whole family spends quality time on the pitch, the greatest joy is in watching Wonder Boy and his team.


And it's been quite a season for the Boy! We've seen quite a few changes in his play again this year, the next evolution you might say. He is still most comfortable (& most effective) in the midfield. In fact, I'd say he's becoming quite the field general in that respect. He sees the field quite well and always seems to know where his teammates are going to be (not just where they are at the moment he gets the ball). I sit in awe of his passing skills. He is beginning to develop a nice soft touch. This is something that doesn't come naturally to everyone (myself included, I have to admit). And so to see it in Wonder Boy is quite exciting, let me tell ya.

Another area in which we have seen real change this season is in Wonder Boy's effort on the field. Don't get me wrong, he has always played with a lot of heart and energy. But he just didn't seem to play with a sense of urgency. And he was always perfectly happy to just be the guy who passed to someone else.

There is nothing wrong with that kind of attitude and it set him up to be a really solid midfield player. But what has changed this season is his desire. Yes, I think that is it.

Now he really WANTS the ball. I think he is confident in his ability to not only handle the ball but to get it to where it needs to be. Sometimes that is an unexpected pass to the teammate streaking down the field with him. And other times it is the cut back that freezes the defender and allows him to get his own shot off.

Confidence. Yes. That's it. Confidence! THAT is another big difference I have seen in the Boy this season. He is beginning to feel truly confident in himself with the ball. And that is having a positive effect on his own play as well as that of his team.

It's exciting to watch, let me tell ya!

Here's a brief snip from a recent game. Just remember what I've said before ... we are fans first! And as such, we often miss some of the best action on the field while we are cheering our hearts out. I hope you'll enjoy the show regardless.

Game 4 Highlights