"soccer are you kidding me"

That's how it started, way back in 1996 i was 39 Married to a great woman (still am) had 2 sons at the time Stuart who was five that spring and Nick who just turned 2 (no David yet, that's a story on its own)  I just came home from work and Suzan just told me she signed Stu up for Soccer.  Please understand at  that time all I knew about Soccer was what i seen in a few movies and that there was a new Major Soccer team in Columbus  LOL like that was going to last not only is this Football Country but they were going to play in the Horse Shoe, yea right.   I have always been a big football fan was a die hard Dallas Cowboy fan my whole life, posters, jackets, hats  the works and my wife is talking soccer was she crazy??

That first season in the spring I don't remember much, just something for the boy to do,,what a stupid game.  I did go with Stu and another dad and son to a Crew game that fall, I will admit it was enjoyable even though i was clueless about what was going on, the thing I remember most is when Stuart looked up at me and said "dad you know this is real football"!   oh my god, what was happening in my life?  I started to pay more attention as the year went, we moved before Stuart started the 2nd grade and by then the die was cast we were a soccer family, every season since Spring, Fall, Indoor we were there, Stuart and his group from the rec league became great friends and all turned out to be good young men, the family's are still close.  Nick started playing and played all the way up though 11th grade and then decide he had enough, but I still Had Stu playing in collage and David in High school, I been to so many tournaments in club, high school and Collage I cant count we won and we lost but we had great times.  

So here I am Stuart played his last game this last fall,  he was captain of his collage team that played in the national championship tournament for 3 years, was All region and All American he made his family proud,  Nick played his last High school game a year ago, David is still in school and will be playing this fall and I am sure will give me much to watch in years to come.

So whats the issue??? David isn't on a spring team, the first time in 16 years I won't have a spring game to go to, no son to cheer on, no ref to fight...... oh wait I am still a Hooligan and have the Crew to go too :)

I am that guy, the old man on the side of the filed yelling and screaming, not because my son is there but because I love the game.