We played our last game of this last session of indoor soccer; which was just a 6 week session this go around. We played a team we have gotten to know fairly well. They have on overall endurance and I would say overall skill as well. But we came from behind to tie 5 all. Twas an epic battle.

Soccer has been great for my health. I have not slimmed down much, but I can sure run a lot longer – even with sprints thrown into the mix. Indoor soccer is on a bit of a break for the summer. It will start up again in September. I will have my Tuesdays back. Perhaps now I’ll have time get on one of those bikes more often now. Although, I’ll miss our regular gathers at the Lipskows before the games. Briana is the best team-mom ever.

A new indoor session has begun. We got some of the gang to get back out and play, which is awesome. We kicked off the new session playing the team that beats everybody rather easily. Even though we lost 5-0, we played well all things considered. We had fun and got a good workout for sure. I’m looking forward to the rest of the session.

This indoor session we have been short players with Scott and Josh both being out with injuries. Old man Paul is taking time off until the put the new turf in as well, since we basically play on green concrete; which is rough on the backs. We’ve been keeping a full squad with the use of players from other teams in the league that were willing to play a double header.

Well, this week we played the team were we normally beg players to fill in for us. But LB brought in a ringer to fill the void. This guy just moved to the area and is trying to play as much soccer as possible. He used to play on a national team in Brazil and played professional indoor in Arizona. SHHHH.

Yup. He was good. I had no idea how to help a guy like that. He played at a much higher level. Strong shot too. I know cause the first one he ripped off verred a bit left… right into me. But that’s okay, he scored 3 in the first half. Turned out to be our only goals of the game. We lost 5-3. The ringer had the competitive drive to win; but he was a good sport about sharing the ball and keeping everyone in the game.

Some of the players we played against, now play with us outdoors on Thursdays. They have bragging rights for awhile now.

First, to get the indoor update out of the way, we lost a not so close one on Tuesday. Just not click’n at the moment.

But… outdoor – we were tied for first place with the team we played tonight. Head to head battle for the mid-season title. We played well, especially for playing another short handed game. But the final result was we lost by 2 goals. We trailed by one the whole game. Good hard physical game. Good times. Next few weeks we play down in Everett. Looking forward to the shorter commute.

Tuesdays indoor we played a young team. I think they were in high school. This means that they were in excellent shape. They didn’t have any overall speed over us, but they sure husseled to the ball… EVERYTIME. We won 4-2, but they sure made us work hard.

Thursday outdoor… blazing speed by several of their players; in offensive and defensive positions. I haven’t had to sprint so hard and so often in a long time. What saved me on defense was the sloppy wet field. Slowed them down a bit. Sometimes the ball just stuck to the field. We came from behind to win 4-3. LB scored the winning goal late in the game on a solo run after receiving a nice threw ball.

I signed up for soccer for fun and to get back in shape. A few more games like these two; and I’ll be ready for Vancouver in 2010!