For The Parents

Dan Shaughnessy's column in Saturday's Boston Globe should be required reading for every youth soccer parent in the country - not to mention for every youth baseball parent, youth swimming parent, every . . . you get the idea.

Shaughnessy, one of the country's best sportswriters in my book, reminds parents ". . . that it’s about the kids. It’s not about the parents."  Amen.  The column should be on the website of every youth team in the country and every coach should print it and give a hard copy to every parent on his or her team just in case they didn't look at the website.

Shaughnessy summarizes: "Try not to care about the game(s) more than your child cares."  He then offers eight reminders that are valid in every sport, in club or school games, at every age group and in every season.  And concludes: "Embrace the spirit of sportsmanship and competition. Frame these moments in your cerebral cloud and enjoy the games." 

If you have a kid - or grandkid - playing on any team in any sport, click on the link at the beginning and read the column.  It will make you a better fan and your kids will appreciate it.

Tunnel Vision

Offbeat story in today's New York Times by soccer superwriter Sam Borden about the trend of televising and filming teams in the tunnel leading to the field before a match.  More than other sports soccer has a ritual of teams parading onto the field, led by the officiating crew, and lining up to face the fans.  For a number of years now, the parade includes one youth player for each pro.

Anyway, interesting piece.

Copa America: It Got Worse After the National Anthem

The Uruguayan National Team should have had a hint it wasn't going to be their night before the opening match of Copa America against Mexico in Glendale, Arizona Sunday night.  As the teams lined up for the playing of the national anthems, the University of Phoenix stadium played the national anthem of Chile.

Things went downhill from there.

In the 4th minute, Uruguayan defender Alvaro Perieira started the scoring - for Mexico - by heading the ball into his own goal.  Just before halftime, Matias Vecino was sent off for a second yellow card after kicking a Mexican player, leaving Uruguay with 10 players.

Despite being down a man, Uruguay rallied when Diego Godin scored off a set piece in the 74th minute.  But being down a man proved too much and Mexico went up for good when Rafa Marquez scored in the 85th minute.  El Tri made the final 3-1 with goal in stoppage time.