I’m a soccer dad, and a solid one at that. For years, I schlepped my kids to and from soccer practice. I attended all their games. I endured tournament weekends in the middle of nowhere. I even tried my hand at coaching a few seasons.It’s not just about a dad watching his daughter and son play sports. I’ve also acquired a love for watching the game on TV. At any given moment, my DVR has matches queued up from La Ligua, Italian Serie A, English Premier, German Bundesliga. I know the names and characteristic motions of star players. I even revel at wonderful touches by unknowns, making me a soccer dad extraordinaire.
What soccer dad can top all that?
Turns out at least one soccer dad has taken the form to new heights. I recently met him drinking Guinness while I was sipping the best margarita recipe out in a bar. We were chatting about which teams would do well in the upcoming World Cup, when he said something that put me completely to shame as a lover of the beautiful game.
He’s flying to South Africa this summer so that he can attend FIFA World Cup 2010!
More than that – he’s been globe-trotting to World Cup Tournaments for decades!
I was beyond impressed. Here I thought sipping pinot noir in the Napa Valley during a break between games at one of my daughter’s club tourneys was boondoggle enough.
Super Soccer Dad said he puts aside $40 from each paycheck in his own personal World Cup fund. Every four years, he has $4000 at his disposal, to at least get him to the tournament. Buying tickets and finding places to stay is something he deals with once there. It’s part of the adventure.
But wait, there’s more – this year, Super Soccer Dad is flying his son with him to Johannesburg. Talk about a dadly maneuver!
And here I thought sneaking my son into the Jelly Belly factory during a break between games at one of his sister’s club tourneys was impressive enough.
I will say, Super Soccer Dad had one fault in his World Cup plans - he’s rooting for Brazil.
I like the Italy national team.
Forza Azzurri!
19 comments:
Wow! What a great idea! That is too cool. (And I'd be rooting for Italy, too.)
So...did it give you that traveling bug? Are you developing a plan? Is there one last hurrah for you and your son before he heads off to college?
Somehow, I see Europe in your future...
I think you rock!!
The Kid wanted to do that, and I was all for it — until we did the math. Uh ...
We'll be watching on the TV.
But there's always Brazil ...
Nice!! And it sounds like you've made a fun new friend too! :)
He is the ultimate! But you are pretty great too...
Wow what an amazing experience to go to Africa to watch the World Cup! Seems like soccer madness is taking over!
That is very impressive! I was only able to follow my beloved Azzurri during the WC here in the States. Rationally I do not delude myself about how far Italy is going in this tournament. Short of a miracle and being completely optimistic I say we get max to the quarters. Of course come kick off I will turn into the quivering, sweating, yelling and hair pulling mess that I always am when following my AS Roma and the Azzurri!
Let the games begin :)
what a chance! Flying to africa to watch the World Cup! I'll say its simply marvellous, But don't forget to get yourselve the ticket in advance and also be there on time because you can image from now itself a crowd of about 60,000 people and perhaps much more.
That will certainly be an experience they will never forget. Start saving now so you and your kids can go in a couple years!
What a great idea to put aside money every week with the end goal to experience something memorable with your kid. Last year, I took my son to see the Phillies and the Yankees in the world series. I paid for the airfare and tickets and hotel in one big (huge) lump sum. I enjoyed it tremendously, I would have enjoyed it more if I had saved for it.
Well my friend is obsessed with soccer so she wanted to know something, actually more like I wanted to know something so she'd quit lecturing me about it.
She thinks that girls can play a lot better than guys and should be able to play in the world cup. She also thinks that girls understand the point of soccer a lot more than the guys do.
I realize that 1.5 years in advance tickets have set prices, but how much do you think they would sell for the month of the world cup??
I do not delude myself about how far Italy is going in this tournament. Short of a miracle and being completely optimistic I say we get max to the quarters.
Why not a soccer mom.
He is the ultimate but you are gorgeous.
Nice!! And it sounds like you've made a fun new friend too! :)
Wow! What a great idea! That is too cool. (And I'd be rooting for Italy, too.)
ice!! And it sounds like you've made a fun new friend too! :)
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