Becoming a Soccer Dad

For a few years, the sport of choice in our home was baseball, that is until "Coach D" persuaded me to enlist my son in an American Youth Soccer Organization (AYSO) team.

"The goal is to provide world class youth soccer programs that enrich children's lives," he told me over the phone in late August. AYSO's motto—"everyone plays"—was enough to get me to at least attend a preliminary team meeting. So just before school began, we gathered in the late afternoon sun at a local park to introduce ourselves to a few prospective teammates.

As I spoke with parents about the virtues of youth soccer, my son joined the boys on the blacktop, kicking around a soccer ball. And as I watched him having the time of his life, I decided, this was it. We were about to expand our view from that of the dugout to the soccer field. 

Within a few weeks of the meeting, the boys had chosen their team name and team color. The "Crazy Chameleons" received their green and black uniforms and were ready for their first game under the guidance of Coach D and Assistant Coach Jamie, who also happened to be a team parent.

I learned quickly that parents were the driving force behind this team, donating their time as coaches, referees, administrators and sponsors. But it really wasn't so different from what I had experienced with Agoura Pony Baseball—just another opportunity to bond with my son through sports. 

Together, the parents finalized the role of each volunteer and decided on one of the most important and popular parts of youth sports—the snack schedule. We even secured a team sponsor—Agoura Hills Patch. And then Coach D laid down the rules. 

"No coaching the kids from the sidelines," he said. This one might be a challenge for me, I thought, but not being a soccer player myself, I knew I wouldn't have much to add beyond words of encouragement and praise for the boys. And that was really all they needed.

The Winning Geckos were a formidable opponent for the Crazy Chameleons on opening day of AYSO Region 4, in a game that  lasted approximately 40 minutes. The players gave it their all, smiling from ear-to-ear. Hustling for the ball with the rest of the boys, my son looked like a natural out there. I guess soccer was always in the cards.

Parents and relatives lined the sides of the field and seemed to be enjoying themselves too. Grandma and Grandpa got to see him score a goal, and I didn't break the rule of no coaching from the sidelines. No score was kept, since it was such a young age division, so both teams were winners. 

It was a great day for everyone.