World Cup Fever

-
It seems that all the rage is to see how your favorite country is doing in the World Cup competition. The USA, of course, is playing the underdog role, but received a heck of a boost when the goalie from England played a shot as if it were a cannonball.

Been there. Smaller scale, but know his pain.

You see, I've always hated soccer. I hate watching it. I hated playing it, and I really don't get the worldwide passion for it. Yet a lot of Americans have fallen into that boat. We don't treat soccer as well as we do football or baseball or even racing cars around a track. It seems a tad slow, doesn't it?

Oh well, to each his own, my pain runs much deeper.

I played basketball in school. I made the teams each year from 7th grade on and always loved participating. I didn't dominate, but I was there.

Well after one season my coach begged me to go out for soccer as well. Seems he liked having me on the team and figured I could loosen up the troops from my spot on the sidelines. I told him I'd do it under two conditions: 1). I don't run sprints and 2). He is to never put me in the game.

He agreed. He used to tell the other people on the team that I couldn't run because I was having my period, and as the year went on, I had a good time. I was sort of the Waterboy.

But the coach didn't live up to his end of the bargain...completely. We were short players one game and he informed me that I had to play.

I remember the game as if it were yesterday. I got sick of chasing the ball and was standing on the sidelines chatting with some friends.

"Fuzzy! The ball is down there!" Coach yelled.
"Don't worry, it'll come back," I replied.
"Go! Now!"

I never should have headed towards our goal. I was dead center in front of our goalie when the corner kick came roaring near. Pretending I could help, I raised my huge head and made contact with the ball. The goalie, Mike Goo, actually groaned, and the ball nestled nicely into the right corner of the goal as the other team celebrated.

I had scored an own goal.

The only goal I ever scored. Thankfully, the team won seven to one, and there were plenty of laughs at my expense.

Yet the ultimate came the following day as the announcements were read over the loudspeaker for all to hear:

"The North Collins Eagles won 7 to 1 yesterday, but the goal of the game was scored by Cliff Fazzolari who ruined the shut-out in the final minute by scoring for the other team. Nice header, Cliff."

So there. I hate soccer for good reason.

It only hurts when I laugh.

Comments

Gag said…
I hate soccer too. To big a field and to little scoring. Did you run around and take your shirt off after the goal and jump into the arms of someone on the other team?
14 June, 2010
Larry L said…
I rather watch the grass grow then watch soccer. Congrats on you goal!
15 June, 2010
Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Suits

-
Like a lot of other people we got pulled into the series, ‘Suits’ on Netflix. I’ve never had much fun hanging around lawyers who have questioned me as a construction safety officer. I once testified in a case where the opposing lawyer started questioning me by going through my educational background. “So,” he said, racing to a crescendo, “You graduated from college with a degree in Communications-Journalism and suddenly, 30 years later, you’re a ‘safety expert.’” He actually made the quotation marks with his fingers. I just looked at him. “How does that happen?” He bellowed, sure that he was going to discredit me. “Well,” I said. “I knew I was overqualified to become a lawyer.” The courtroom erupted in laughter. Even the judge chuckled. The rest of his questions landed flat. So, I wasn’t all that keen on a show about lawyers, but ‘Suits’ is great. Meghan Markle became a princess because of the show, and she is very good in it (and a beautiful woman). Yet, there is so much more. The wri
Read more

My Buddy, Dave

-
Way back in 1997, I started working with a steel erection company out of Syracuse. I was coming straight from a long stint with a steel erector here in Buffalo so I knew my stuff when it came to steel erection safety rules. On day one, I met with the safety director and he was just getting started as a safety guy, but man, he certainly cared about the guys he worked with. Dave was a good man from the start. He’d say things like: “You’re so full of beans.” Just a down to earth, hardworking guy who became a fast friend. We drove all around New York State setting up jobs. I always let Dave drive so that I could rest. One fine day, way up North of Syracuse, we passed a state trooper.  I glanced at the speedometer. “You’re screwed,” I said, and seconds later, the lights came on. Dave was beside himself.  The cop stopped by the window, grabbed the license and registration and headed back to his vehicle. “Here’s the thing,” I said. “You’re pissed, but you’re such a good guy that I bet you tha
Read more

Mom & Ollie

-
Image
 Ollie Stadium is a mess. The heavy rains rendered the backyard a mud pit and even though we threw in the side yard, the Big O was looking for more, and we were both covered in mud. I had to take some steam out of him somehow so I suggested we go visit Grandma. Ollie hates the car, but he laid quietly as we made the trip. We even brought the football because there is plenty of room to play at Grandma’s. Mom opened the door and started laughing. I thought about the love she had for every single dog we ever had. Oliver was quick to give my Mom a kiss, and then he stood beside her. The love between Mom and Dogs is a mutual bond. Through the years, Mom would make breakfast for the dogs.  Fried eggs, toast, bacon… She would wrap Christmas gifts for them. “To Jeter, Love Santa,” she would write on the cards. They played with the big chicken that made a lot of noise. Mom tossed the football and Ollie brought it back to her. As the visit drew to a close I headed for the door.  “C’mon, Oliver,”
Read more