He's pretty quick. And a decent kick. 
And he may be small, but he can hold his own against the bigger kids.
We parents were overjoyed just to have the game tied (2 to 2). Seriously, watching us you would have thought is was some pro sports final--jumping up and down, excited screams, hollers of encouragement. And then when they actually won (5 to 4)--whaaaaa, we never thought it would happen. And all this was done in 95 degree air soaked in it's own humidity.
The last few minutes of the game were actually called due to the heat and the kids literally dropping like flies. The referees were trying to push through to the end but the boys were obviously exhausted. The clincher was when the biggest boy on the other team took a fall. He was unhurt but it took a lot of persuading to get him back up. As he started to walk back to the sidelines the coach said something about all-right-let's-get-back-out-there-and-finish-up-this-game. That's all he could take. The humidity had sucked the 8 year old right out of him and toddler tantrum was all that was left. He broke down with a wail "I'm too tired!"
And he may be small, but he can hold his own against the bigger kids.
We parents were overjoyed just to have the game tied (2 to 2). Seriously, watching us you would have thought is was some pro sports final--jumping up and down, excited screams, hollers of encouragement. And then when they actually won (5 to 4)--whaaaaa, we never thought it would happen. And all this was done in 95 degree air soaked in it's own humidity.
The last few minutes of the game were actually called due to the heat and the kids literally dropping like flies. The referees were trying to push through to the end but the boys were obviously exhausted. The clincher was when the biggest boy on the other team took a fall. He was unhurt but it took a lot of persuading to get him back up. As he started to walk back to the sidelines the coach said something about all-right-let's-get-back-out-there-and-finish-up-this-game. That's all he could take. The humidity had sucked the 8 year old right out of him and toddler tantrum was all that was left. He broke down with a wail "I'm too tired!"And that was the end of the game.
Matthew and his team were elated, we all went out for ice cream, and then his Dad and I had a good talk about how nice it is to support our boy but what particular things may or may not be appropriate to yell at 8 year old soccer matches.
I'm not sure if sports will turn out to be his scene. He seems to get more excited about math and science. (Just today Will was explaining to Joseph what magic was by way of an example and Matthew kindly and sincerely commented: That's not magic. That's physics.) But he gave it his best, tried really hard, actually played VERY well, and I love him for it.
Way to go Buddy!
Side note: The little Miss took her first two faltering steps on the side lines of the game. I'm sure they'll be the first of many steps taken while trying to stay occupied at her brothers' activities.
