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Why No Goalie

 The Strykers/Fury game vs. San Diego Sockers was a fantastic game. The scoring was back and forth and the game went into overtime. The San Diego Sockers won the game in overtime by one point. In the game, the way the Strykers/Fury goalies were playing on the field instead of staying in their positions was driving me nuts and from my perspective was the reason for the San Diego Sockers winning the game. 

As I'm guessing the reason for the goalies playing on the field was to give the team a one man up advantage but if I were on the SD Sockers team I would capitalize on any opportunity to put the ball in the net to counteract that cockiness. If it were a no goalies game, it would be different but there are goalkeepers for a reason and at least 3-4 goals were scored against the Strykers/Fury as a result.

Empire Strykers Last Home Game of the Season

 Today is the last home game for the Empire Strykers this season. The game will be played at the Toyota Arena in Ontario, California. It starts at 4:05pm and the doors open at 3:05pm. Apparently Sesay, who is one of my favorite defenders is scheduled to retire after this season. The Strykers are playing against the San Diego Sockers so it's going to be a great game! 

For more information or to get your tickets, visit https://www.theempirestrykers.com. 

Dodgers on the Way to Winning Five in a Row World Series

 When my first son was little he started to ask about playing baseball. Perhaps it was the Dodgers game we were lucky enough to be able to attend. Maybe he was encouraged after his dad got the kids a bunch of goodies from the Angels game we got to watch together. I don't know what exactly prompted his interest in the game of baseball, but I gave him his nick name and we started practicing. I signed him up with our local league. 

My youngest was standing among a small crowd of kids and they were asking him what his name was on opening day at the Bob Hargis field. Since he didn't want to go through all of the trouble of saying his full name, as he understood the kids wouldn't understand him if he tried to say it, he said, "Two", which was his age.  I joined them in conversation. "His name is 2?" They asked. I laughed understanding what had happened. The irony. "No, his name is not 2." And so 2 became his baseball nickname.  

They enjoyed it so much but I wasn't much help in directing them how to play. I don't know all that much about baseball, just the basic rules. They wanted to practice. "Just put your glove up and catch the ball if it goes up. If it's on the ground, put your glove on the ground and catch it." was pretty much all I had. "How do I stand when I'm up to bat?" "I don't know." We watched some YouTube videos of Babe Ruth and I laughed when I witnessed him putting the stance into action. 

Little brother immediately got his nickname when he was a baby and we brought him to his first Dodgers game. Big Bubba. It's funny how difficult it can be to name someone. Sometimes you search and search for the right name. Other times, the name just arrives naturally. It somehow fits into time and space and aligns itself perfectly right where it's meant to be.

Anyway, soccer started for us when I decided to coach the kids with a sport that I actually know. They watched me play. I love to play. Then we played together and they learned to love to play. Then soccer started taking up all of our time, efforts and energy. Sometimes I wonder if they'll set foot on the baseball field again. If they dream about playing like they did when they were little. The Bergen brothers playing together for the same team. Sandlot movies all day and making their own Sandlot out on the grass behind the apartment with the neighbor kids. 

Defrosting Hands

 It's just that 

maybe I don't see the potential in me that you already talk about as if it exists

as much as I see the potential in you that is ever so present

all the while you think I'm encouraging you

as you are my wings

maybe that's what it is

maybe not

but I look at you looking to me

and when I sit down I wonder

about the way God weaves us together

to show us who we are

in the best eyes

that are yours for me

and maybe mine for you

Maybe I don't understand or haven't had much time to give it some thought

but as I look at my children I know it must have been his plan

how beautiful it has made mine

so I give thanks for what I understand and ask for clarity about what I do not. 

The Climbing Rose

 It's when the rain rolls in that I stay inside

To remind myself to quiet my mind and listen to the drops all around. 

The peace and solitude is as refreshing as the garden growing greener

What will I do with all of these plants and no plans to plant them?

I still long to watch them grow.

The climbing red rose shrivels with the rain and I notice a new bud in it's infant phase

It's going to take some time to watch it bloom but it'll be as beautiful as the sound of nothingness outside.

World Cup (Men) 2026

 According to Fifa.com, "The next World Cup will return to being played in the traditional period, between the months of June and July. The World Cup final date has been set as Sunday, 19 July, with the opening match due to take place on Thursday, 11 June."

USA World Cup venues include: "Most of them (11) are located in the USA: Seattle, San Francisco Bay Area, Los Angeles, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Philadelphia, Atlanta, Miami, Boston and New York New Jersey."

I would like to request as many tickets for Los Angeles games as possible.