Sam's Big Night

Last night a proffesional soccer match was held at KSU.  The Atlanta Beat, the women's team, played the FCGold Pride.  It was "school night" at the event, and several soccer teams from several counties in GA were invited to come play an exhibition match at half time!

Sam's team was included in the invite.  We were stoked.  We loaded up the camera and video, got tickets, and met Gram and Grandad there for a big night of cheering Sam on.

The venue was really nice.  Mom said it was used for some of the events of the summer olympics, back when they came to Atlanta.

And mericifully, the weather was not TOO hot or steamy.

Look at those rowdy grandparents....having way too much fun.

At the beginning of the match, some of the teams marched out displaying various soccer-related flags.  Sam's team was one of them.  (In the purple shirts.) But you won't find Sam in the picture because he had been selected to help escort the players onto the field. 

Apprantely, it is a big tradition for pro soccer players to walk out on the field, holding hands with children.  Sam is in that photo...somewhere, wearing a red shirt.

Then after the national anthem, the game began. Wow. What a difference between youth soccer and pro soccer!  Those women can really MOVE the ball...the plays were fast and powerful, the ball was constantly flying around, there was a lot of jumping and leaping and crashing to the ground, and I was amazed at how well everyone controlled the ball with their bodies.   It was definitely an action packed game.

Then at half time came the REAL show!

No, not him.

Nope, not the hot-dog eating contest.



....the Gilmer kids!

There's Sam, on his first night ever playing in a professional soccer stadium. 

More Sam.....

And more........

We watched and cheered, and Marty took pictures. 

Their scrimmage game was over way too soon, and they rejoined us in the stands, sweaty and worn out, but happy.  This was a big night for those kids and you can see they felt like stars.  They took it seriously, too, they played their little hearts out and did not treat it like a simple exhibition.  I  was very proud of all of them.

Then it was back to the pro game.  The women played hard and were fantastic.  But Atlanta lost.  Oh well.....

A very good night and lots of fun!  Way to go, Sam!