As I posted recently, my granddaughter Lauren (8 years old) attended the highly regarded Nike soccer camp at Nike headquarters. It was by invitation only.

This Saturday, she had her first league game of the season. Her team won 8-3. Lauren had six of her team's goals. She had five in the first half, and scored only one in the second half because the coach moved her to defender. She still scored on a breakaway steal, even from there.

Her team is the "Mad Dogs". They have a stamp of a dog's paw they all stamp on their hands before each game.

Her younger brother Nick is 6 and played later that day. He scored his first goal ever, but had to sit down for a few minutes because he knocked a kid down. They don't issue cards at this level.

That's my boy.

Now, if I could only get them to go to basketball camp.

FYI - those of you in the Portland area - if Lauren doesn't move before HS, she'll wind up at Sunset. Yeah - like they need the help.

What -- they're better than Jesuit?!?

Padgett, You're already sounding like a true soccer grandfather. You better start brushing up on offside, direct and indirect kicks, and yellow and red cards. You'll be quartering oranges and bringing fruit to the games, and riding around with a soccer ball static cling decal in your back window soon! You're going to be hooked on the game before you know it! IT'S A GREAT GAME!

That's great, but reading the topic and who wrote it, I was expecting you to brag about how good you look in your new fishnets.

Last summer at an AYBT basketball event, I was asked at the hotel by a player if I was also a soccer ref, he said I looked familiar. I replied "Young man, I don't even BELIEVE in soccer". This past weekend, I attended my son's first soccer game.....cheering him on from the sidelines. I think it's a great game for physical fitness, I still have heartburn when I see kids who "should" be playing baseball focusing on soccer....but then again, I'm from a slightly different era.

Just for the record, and also for Mr. Padgett's edification, it must be noted for the record that soccer is France's favorite sport. Yes, it even ranks ahead of cheese-eating and surrendering.

It's true, it's true......

Le Football anyone???
 

Ah the irony. Playing "Le Football" with FIFA rules. Isn't FIFA the sister organization for FIBA??? :eek: