Played my first organized game of soccer in ... 28 years, and boy was it a test. The guys I coach with have run/been on the team for years, part of a complex of under 16 boys teqams, girl teams, and this one - the 'Verten' team. It is a mix of older and younger guys who play for fun - but are also very competitive. The league - CLASA - is mainly Mexican Americans and Mexicans who all have played the whole lives and want to continue playing as they get older. Pretty skilled an dknowledgable, it's not aleague for beginners. And ... Im sorta a challenged player, so I'd've been happy to get a few minutes in each half to break meself in - but ...
We had a team of 11. In a sport thta plays 11 @ a time. So there would be no rest for me. 90m full of running and covering and muscling and trying to control and pass the ball. Yikes!! So out of shape I am. We played Saturday in the 90+ heat, and I was wilting. From the kickoff. Prtetty much all I could do was just run into the other players to try to destroy what they were doing. My tramates put up with me - there were no replacements, so it was better w. me on the field than me off - but I felt oftentimes embarressed @ my skill level/fitness.
1/4 of the way into the game my team -Atlante Veterns - got an extra player. I immediately signelled "cambio" and sat for the last 20m of the half, just drinking ater and pouring it on my head. Oi so devestated!! I was somewhat recovered for the second half and actually played the entire second half - but was so gassed that I was inneffesctual. I could break up someplays, but others my guy was left unmarked. Sometimes I got to the ball, but often it would be just stolen off of me. Once I was open and there was a real long pass from the back - agreat play on me an dmy teammates part - but I was not fast enough to catch up to it.
I felt I left them down a lot - but they were more thna happy to have me on the tram - crappy as I played. I need to play more to get myself to a place where I will not embarress myself. I was glad none of the kids I coach witnessed me playing.
But I was also happy I finally played. It was a goal of mine to get on a team. I almost did last spring, but then I had my knee injury. I was prodded by the other coaches to join this team, and I'm glad I did. Must get inbto shape, eat less macdonalds, and love water ever more.
Loved wearing #33.
I felt I left them down a lot - but they were more thna happy to have me on the tram - crappy as I played. I need to play more to get myself to a place where I will not embarress myself. I was glad none of the kids I coach witnessed me playing.
But I was also happy I finally played. It was a goal of mine to get on a team. I almost did last spring, but then I had my knee injury. I was prodded by the other coaches to join this team, and I'm glad I did. Must get inbto shape, eat less macdonalds, and love water ever more.
Loved wearing #33.
