First Goal, First Interview

The pace of life changes substantially as the school year gets underway. And, especially with soccer, my weeks start to revolve around these games and practices and driving from point to point along the grid of high schools and parks spread throughout the 49 square miles that defines the city and county of San Francisco.

In tonight's game, my sixteen-year-old, who wears #16, had a turning point game. He's a junior, starting his third season as right back on his high school team. This year, for the first time, his coach has given him some new marching orders.

Noting his height, he is now sending him in on set plays like corner kicks and telling him to try to get his head on the ball. Tonight, in the fifth minute of a game against a traditionally very tough opponent, the coach's strategy worked, as we saw the red-headed #16 soar high above the scrum at the front of the net to put his head on the ball as it arced in from the corner.

He met the ball perfectly and redirected it into the upper left hand corner of the net for his first goal ever -- in a high school game.

For a second, I stared in disbelief, as this was so unprecedented as to be unimaginable. A goal! Then I broke into a long throaty cheer. A kid who, no matter how well he's played, has rarely ever had a taste of this kind of glory, now was being high-fived by his teammates for putting his team ahead, 1-0.

Eventually, after his team won the game, 2-1, he got to have another "first" experience, as a young athlete.

One of the small group of reporters and photographers covering the game asked if he could interview him. He asked him about scoring that first goal, about beating such a touch opponent, and about holding the opposition scoreless under their increasingly desperate assault throughout the second half.

As I watched my young son field these questions, I could tell that he was feeling a bit embarrassed by being made the center of attention, but I also was struck by his poise. He complimented the other team, saying how tough they were to play against, and how talented they were. He also allowed that it was a real thrill to score his first goal.

I wish I had gotten that reporter's card, because maybe someday this interview will prove to have been the first of many. Who knows? But for now, for me, it was good enough just to witness this newest stage in the development of my young athletic star.

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