Ok, we soccer players of SoCal don’t have much weather to complain about most of the time. BUT some of my strongest memories are of games in which more intense forms of weather played a role. Let’s take wind. At more than one Vegas tournament, the winds were so strong they carried the ball all the way across the adjacent highway! Winds have been known to whip up dirt on ragged fields that get into eyes. And both sides must adjust to how the wind can reroute the ball in the air. Sideline tents can suddenly disengage from the ground and attempt flight. How about rain? During one Pot of Gold tournament (now Gianetti), kicking the ball was more like kicking up water in a huge puddle. In fact, it rained so hard with an accompanying strong horizontal wind, that by day’s end I was so thoroughly soaked and freezing cold, I took off my clothes (sweats and extra tops already water-logged), and drove all the way back to L.A. on the 405 completely naked, wrapped in the one dry beach towel I had in my car. And you can bet I drove carefully so as not to attract the Highway Patrol! I also remember another time in Vegas where the games were temporarily stopped to let a lightening storm pass by and we all piled into my car. As for sun, the hottest tournament I was ever in recorded the field temperature at 102. It took place at the Olympics Training Academy in Chula Vista where we found relief indoors between games before going back out to play in thick hot air. With all games played in heat, mostly in the summer, we all drink plenty of water and slather ourselves in sunscreen. Oh to rise to such weather extremes again! In the meantime, what memories do you have of playing soccer in not-so-ideal weather conditions?
My main memory of rain is that you better hope you are not subbed out after it starts raining! It turns out to be fine running around in the rain, but once you stop playing your wet self starts to get really COLD!
My memory of Vegas and the wind. Putting the ball on the center line ready for kick off when zoom the wind scooped it up and sent it sailing across the highway. Or last year Gionetti’s cup in the rain, being thankful we had a hotel nearby to shower and warm up before the long trek home. But rain, wind, shine, or COVID, us soccer players will be ready to take to the fields again for fun laughter and one more kick.
It’s hard to see to play in the rain cuz my glasses get water on them! And currently, I tried to take my dogs on a walk but my glasses kept fogging up from my mask! But I sure am hoping to play again soon anyway!