My wife would say I watch a lot of soccer on TV. But the first 25 minutes was all I could stomach of last night's Mexico vs Panama game in the Gold Cup.
The game was important for both teams; the loser would be in a bad position for advancing to the knockout stage. In addition, Mexico are under serious pressure to display some quality after poor showings in recent tournaments and falling to 4th in their six-team world cup qualifying group. I sat down with my DVR and high expectations for an interesting and spirited game.
What I saw, though, was more like a couple of preschoolers fighting over toys. Early on, the Mexican captain was booked for impertinence when he needlessly carried the ball away from the site of a foul, then flipped it over the heads of the Panama players. I say kudos to the Ref for showing him the yellow card. The next ten minutes was filled with players from both sides--mostly the Mexicans--whining at the ref and arguing every whistle (and most non-whistles), asking for bookings, and collapsing in indignant heaps of fake agony.
There were a few moments of very good soccer, but they were hard to pick out amid all the preschooler behavior.
And it's the lack of that kind of thing (in general) that I like about the American team. They'll complain about calls occasionally--every player does from time to time--but unless something is truly outrageous, they let it go and focus on playing the game. There's a respect for the game, the honest effort, that kind of behavior shows. The opposite, as demonstrated by Mexico and Panama, illustrates a lack of respect and a selfish petulance that is unbecoming.
I think about things like this a lot because I take my role as a youth coach very seriously. I love the game of soccer--very few games are simpler or more elegant when played well, and it's the ultimate accessible game. You don't need to be 6 foot 10 or 300 pounds to do well. You don't need a 3.4 time in the 40. When I coach kids, I want them to love it, too. But to love something is also to respect it, and to honor it.
I ranted here last year about a game my kids played. The opposing coach taught them to play dirty in order to win. Their dirty play sucked the fun out of the game, which they won. When we beat them in the tournament rematch, it wasn't so much fun as gratifying revenge. We lost the tournament final to a good, well-coached team. That loss was far more fun than our win over the dirty team. I think that's true both as a coach and as a player.
Twelve years ago, I joined an over-30 league after not playing since I was 12. I look back now and realize how frequently I whined about bad refereeing my first few years in the league. I understand the passion of the moment that underlies such bad behavior, but I've overcome that now (for the most part). Coaching helped me see my own behavior on the field and modify it. Even though the kids on my team never watch me play, I still feel I should model the behavior I'm trying to coach.
Friday, July 10, 2009
coaching myself
Wednesday, July 08, 2009
haiku wednesday - July 8, 2009
This week's words are
gloom
kneel
transparent
Happy 19th wedding anniversary to my wife. No, not apropos to 3WW exactly, but I figured I should say it.
hypocrites, we kneel
transparent priest prays for us
gloom of man-made church
your voice lights my gloom
thick walls dissolve, transparent
come, kneel next to me
kneel before you? ha!
your gloom and doom are all lies
transparent clothes, gone
Monday, July 06, 2009
learning through play
Every parent knows peer pressure. It overwhelms us, drives us to irrational and often self-destructive behavior. Like limiting our children to 30 minutes of "screen time" each day.
Wednesday, July 01, 2009
haiku wednesday - July 1, 2009
This week's words are
collapse
sweet
yearn
Another work trip this week. I am sorry I won't get to visit everyone this week due to the travel. Thank-you to all who came by last week and left such kind notes! Also, "Airport Transportation NY" asked for a special haiku addressed to the king of pop, so I'm using one of my three 3WW haiku to do just that. See if you can guess which one. (I have to admit that although I agree he was talented, and I did sorta like some of his songs, I never cared much about MJ when he was popular... and I can't say I was much moved when I heard about his death.)
my lips yearn for yours
one final taste--I collapse
sweet, sweet Juliette...
ponzi schemes collapse
we yearn for greater justice
no sweet ending, this
fans scream, swoon, collapse
yearn for your sweet moves, smooth voice
moonwalking through life
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
haiku wednesday - June 24, 2009
This week's words are
fickle
sparkle
wrinkle
Thanks to all who stopped by throughout the week. I did in fact get my luggage the next day... after my big meeting. What a week this has been. Insane busy. This week's words... they seem like three elves that didn't make it into a Christmas claymation special.
chilly day, hot night
eyes sparkle as sheets wrinkle
fickle as weather
wrinkle, crumple, toss
my prose has lost its sparkle
fickle muse, return!
slow, black swells sparkle
fickle winds wrinkle slack sails
time for a cool change
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
haiku wednesday - June 17, 2009
This week's words are
arresting
rhythmic
wicked
On the road. Airline (United/US Air) lost my luggage. Early meeting in the morning. #$%@@#$%!!!!
she's so arresting
wicked touch, rhythmic embrace
undercovers cop
water wicked through stem
arresting, rhythmic dripping
unending cycle
no rhythmic snoring
in your place, wicked silence
arresting my dreams
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
haiku wednesday - June 10, 2009
This week's words are
dangerous
keepsake
restless
It's nearly Thursday in London already, and I'm just getting to this now. Egads!
restless memories
your ex-lover's phone number
dangerous keepsake
dangerous intent
holding stolen keepsake bones
restless stalker nears
restless spirit roams
dangerous, seeking revenge
for lost keepsake heart
Tuesday, June 09, 2009
my son is a crazy person
What I love about my son's boy scout troop: They are, by and large, nerds. They are great kids, fun and witty, well intentioned and personable. After tonight's troop meeting, they were discussing the density of various heavenly bodies. No, not Angelina Jolie's BMI. Pulsars and Quasars. Red dwarfs and brown dwarfs.


Monday, June 08, 2009
Another Jason Evans Contest Coming!
Jason Evans at the Clarity of Night blog is going to run another of his outstanding, famous contests beginning July 8th. A very nice guy, terrific writer, and sublime poet, Jason has pulled together a community of writers that is truly astonishing.
Even though the contest opens July 8th, he's giving us a sneak preview of the photo prompt. His past contests have essentially been flash fiction in 250 words, inspired by a photo he's taken. I hope all you writers (and people who might consider writing some time) jump into this with an entry of your own. Fair warning: The last contest garnered over 120 entries, and you will find that you get lost in reading them. Most are very good; some are truly outstanding.
And I'm not just saying that because I won the last contest.
Wednesday, June 03, 2009
Listen to the author... if you DARE
Robin has once again coerced us all, via her superb and unyielding charm, to post our own voices reading our own work. Below is an audio only rendition of a poem I wrote a while back called "Cold and Bitter." I blogged the text of it before, but Julaina convinced me to change the last line. I'm glad she did.
haiku wednesday - June 3, 2009
This week's words are
folly
hostile
ordinary
Here it is again, a whole week gone by without any post but 3WW. I may not make the rounds this week until the weekend, if at all. Fair warning--if you are expecting reciprocal comments, then feel free to click away now and ignore me this week. Besides, how good can these be if they were written in a total of fourteen minutes (including title, tag, and intro paragraph)?
ordinary charm
can't overcome your folly
THAT's why I'm hostile
hostile reviewer
pans book as ordinary
folly to read it
folly to resist
no ordinary girl, she
beware hostile claws
blog cacophony
