The night before.

Here we sit. Getting ready for the biggest, and last game of the 2013 season. We've sat through cold, heat. humidity, rain, good games, and bad games. There have been many drinks shared, hugs, high fives, angry words, and all sorts of emotions shared. Guys, we are playing for the fucking cup. Do you realize how big this is? This isn't and overnight happening. The work of the players and the front office has been phenomenal. There have been a lot of hard decisions made to get us where we are. The players know this means nearly as much to us as it means to them. I remember the Royals winning it all in 85. I don't remember everything as I was very young, but I remember the night we won quite vividly. I want my children to have the same memories of "our" team. Yeah, it's gonna be cold as fuck all during the game. We can go in and warm up or grab a hot chocolate. The players will be out there playing in it. This should be one hell of a game. Both teams are deserving of their place in the match. It may get sloppy due to the weather or the pitch. It may get chippy, well, just because it's us and RSL. Bring everything you have, our boys will do the same. Enjoy the day. Make some memories. Win or lose, make the day count. This may not happen again for a very long time. Then again, we may get to experience this over and over again for years to come. If you can't make the game, be loud at home. Do the same as those of us lucky enough to be there in person. Make memories and act like you're there. I'm off to have a couple more beers and try to get to sleep. This season has been a treat so far. We've all got one more day to go. I will see some of you tomorrow. Come say hi and have a beer. I'm bringing everything I can muster. Together, we can get this done.

First Kick 2013

Finally, we're back into soccer season. After another off season that seemingly wouldn't end, our boys are back on the pitch. We all know the guys came into camp ready to go as shown by the club jumping straight into tactics as opposed to conditioning. With several new players joining the squad, this was probably more important than years past.

As usual, the preseason was just a small glimpse of the team. Nothing was very impressive, but nothing was very worrying either. It wasn't hard to see that everyone was working extremely hard to become an unit, and the new guys were fighting to learn PV's system.

The watch party for the season opener was outstanding. There seemed to be more people in the Boulevard Member's Club for this event than any one previous. The club looks to have learned from crowds last year. They went to the trouble to set several extra tables out to accommodate the large crowd.

The fans at the stadium and the intelligence of said fans really show that the game is catching on. The silly comments and questions about game basics are becoming less common.

Sporting came out and played a bit tight to begin the game. After giving up an early goal, and a few more minutes of strained play, everyone calmed down. When we began to get our rhythm, Zusi was able to cash in off of a rebounded shot. The second half showed us what we can expect this season. The team seemed to mesh very well and earned themselves more open looks, and two more goals. Rosell and Beiler were both able to put one home. This will hopefully be the first of many for our new DP.

It was great to be able to be at the Member's Club for this match. Many familiar faces were in the crowd, along with many, many new ones.  The game was the main focus, not just being part of the scene. Cheers came after good plays, not just the goals. There was also a lack of jeering after calls that went against us that were valid.

It's nice to see the hard work of SKC, and the Cauldron paying off. Crowds will continue to grow and learn. With the couple of calls for help that have gone out via the Cauldron, this group of people have shown a tremendous amount of heart. When Hector needed help, money to help defray medical costs came pouring on. With Montez' situation, again, money and goods came flooding in. The sense of community is something to be proud of.

To anyone that has read anything on this blog before, I need to apologize. I promised more posts, and didn't follow through. My goal for this year is to be more active. I enjoy getting these thoughts out of my head and "on paper" as it were. I will make no more promises though. As we all have to deal with real life, I will post brain dumps as I can. I am looking forward to talking with more people this year and writing about the fan experience. This is for everyone to read, but more so for me to look back at fun times, and show my children how things were "in the old days" as they mature.