Primary Sacrament Program

Today was our ward's primary Sacrament program where the kids all have little parts to say into the mic and songs to sing during Sacrament.  All their "talks" together make up a message for everyone in the congregation to know what the kids have been learning all year in their primary classes and sharing time.  Andrew had 3 different little parts, so he got to stand up three times.  He also stood right in the center of the back row and he's the tallest kid, so he was a star.  He knew all the songs and sang loudly.  I even made him comb his hair this morning and he wore his suit, with the coat buttoned up and all.  He was really handsome!  I am really proud of him.  The first thing he said when it was over was, "I have to do this again NEXT year, too????!!!!!!"  Yep, and I can't wait.  (I might even whisper to someone that I think he should have a staring role or at least get to sing a solo, haha!!!!)

hunting

Luckily for Bradley (and Scott) Wednesdays are the weekday that the refuge is opened...it's also the day that the Jr Highs have late starts, so there is time to go hunting on Wednesday mornings before school.  They went to day and got a few birds and had fun.

college soccer

I've been following the SVU soccer seasons this year because they have real live video.  It's been fun, but I sure wish they would have had it while Melanee and William were there!!!!!!!!  Both teams have been doing pretty good, but I don't know if that is because they are so good or because they have been playing some bad teams and have so many home games.  The first year Melanee played for SVU they had TWO home games, and they weren't actually "home" games, they were played over at a community park.  This year's women's team has NINE home games.  There's a thing in sports known as a "home field advantage" and it's called that because there is a distinct "advantage" to playing a game at a field that you practice on, in front of your own fans, and the biggest one- you dont have to travel HOURS on a bus/van to get to the game.  Away games are harder because legs have had to be cramped and still during the long drive, rest is hard and not comfortable, pre game meals are not as good, if there is traffic, that would be stressful and cause the team to be late, and for college players there is the stress of missing a lot of class time.

This year's women's team's record is now 8-8.  That's really good, but their wins have all (except one) been against teams who come from non competitive schools, with no subs, and who haven't even won other games.  Their 5-0, 8-0, 7-0. 8-0, 4-0, and 8-0 wins all came against teams that SVU womens teams of the past have not even played against (except Washington Adventist) (and Trinity 3 years ago).  SOOOOOO, I don't like when the coach writes that this years team has scored more goals than the last two seasons combined.  He should not compare two things that are not the same.  If last year's team would have played Hood, they may have had an 8-0 game, if they would have played William Peace, they may have had an 8-0 game...their goal scoring stats WOULD have been higher.  When this year's team played one of the same schools that last years BEAT, they lost, so those games are the ones he could be using to compare this team to previous SVU teams (although both teams (SVU and their opponents) have turn over of players, so neither team is the same).  This year's team and last year's are actually pretty even if you look at the 3 games played against the same teams as last year (not counting the D1 schools)....This year beat Milligan, lost to Ferrum, lost to Concord, and lost to Marymount.  Last years team lost to Milligan, beat Ferrum, lost to Concord, and lost to Marymount.  All 8 games were really close! 

 

I also didn't like when the game commentator said about one of this year's players-- "SVU's best ever".  She is having a great year!  No doubt!  I'm not saying she is not the "best ever", she just might be, but if he is going by goals scored, he cant really compare her to Melanee.  Melanee played freshman year as a holding halfback, sophomore year as a defender, junior year as a halfback again, and didn't get tons of playing time as a senior.  (And Melanee's teams didn't get to play 6 games against "fluff" schools.  And Melanee's teams didn't have NINE home games.) 

Earthquakes

The San Jose Earthquakes are my favorite team.  I've liked them for a long time and I'm really happy that all the games this season have been televised (that's a first) and that they have been so successful in the standings.  In fact, they earned the Supporters Shield, which is the award presented to the team in Major League Soccer with the best overall record.  Some critics say that MLS shouldn't have an award like the Supporters Shield because the schedule is Unbalanced (meaning they dont play all the teams and equal amount of times...for example, a "balance schedule" would be every team playing ever other team once at home and once away, the unbalanced schedule they use now has all the western conference teams playing the teams in their conference each three times and the teams in the eastern conference just once, and visa versa).  The critics charge that the east is tougher, therefore, the west points weren't as hard to earn.  It does make sense, except the MLS has always had the Supporters Shield and they've used the unbalanced schedule 15 out of the 17 years it's been around.

I think there are critics everywhere and there are writers who are quick to criticize....but I believe that the Quakes just do not have that many fans around MLS because they have beat just about every team in the league this season.  Many of their wins have been come from behind wins.  Many of their wins have been semi controversial.  All the other teams and their fans think that they are better than the Quakes, but the SCOREBOARD does not agree.  (I used to listen to the Jim Rome Show on the radio every day.  People used to call in with all kinds of arguments and Rome would often cut them off with "Scoreboard", meaning, talk all you want but your team lost, so your argument does not hold any strength, until your team wins, then you have the right to declare "Scoreboard".)  The biggest complaint towards the Earthquakes focuses on Steven Lenhart.  People complain that he is dirty.  He (and his fans) claim that he is just playing ALL OUT.  I do remember a game where he pulled a defended down (in the box) by the shorts.  The defender got a red card and Lenny was awarded a PK.  It's things like that which make people disrespect him.  The few times he, himself has gotten a red card, he is able to take an opponent down with him.  (they get a red card, too)  Of all the late goals scored for the Quakes, Lenny has usually been the one scoring them or assisting on them.  He is the person who came up with the phrase "Goonies Never Die" as a mantra for the Quakes.  He doesn't go softly into a play, he doesn't give up when his team gets behind, and he will let his emotions get out of control if he thinks it will help his team!  He's not my favorite (Wondo is), I think he could use a hair cut, I think he likes attention, and I get mad at him when he gets thrown out and laughs about it, but the Quakes need him.  They need his heart.  They need his enthusiasm.  And they need his offense.  So many times this season, the opponents have double teamed or keyed on Wondo, to stop him, but the Quakes have still been successful because the other guys can also score.  They have 3 players with over 10 goals and Simon Dawkins has 8 or 9.  Every starter has scored except one (and the goalie, so I guess two).  The other day Wondo was interviewed and asked who would take a PK if the Earthquakes were awarded one in the next game and Wondo answered "Hernandez hasn't scored yet this season, I think we should let him take it".  WHAT???!!!!!!!!???

Anyway, the Quakes play really nice soccer.  They know how to posses the ball.  They have a strong defense.  They have fast wingers with good crosses.  And, of course, they have scorers.  I really do like them.  So I guess I am not the best to write an un biased blog about them.  (So I guess it's good that I dont write for a real blog). 

The latest bad press the Quakes just got was from a player on the Galaxy.  He said that its not "fun" to play them.  Well, of course not, the Galaxy have lost twice and tied once against the Quakes.  He said that the way that they play is "a joke".  He was upset that Lenhart ran into him numerous time when the ball wasn't even on their side of the field.  I watched the game.  I saw Omar (the complainer with the "they are a joke" quote) elbow Lenhart IN THE HEAD every time they both went up for a header (and Lenhart has missed time this season with concussion issues, which I'm sure Omar knows about).  Omar thinks the refs dont call enough physicality on the Quakes.  Sounds like the whines coming from someone who just lost a game (or tied a game they should have won, but gave up a lead at the end, as usual). 

The Quakes have home field advantage throughout the playoffs.  The Galaxy have to play a one game playoff to get there, so the Galaxy are not happy about tying yesterday.  The game was BIG for the Galaxy....the Quakes wanted to beat them because winning is why you play the game, and they wanted Wondo to score some goals, but the game really was meaningless in the standings.  The Quakes played the first half really relaxed.  They weren't connecting on passes and they were actually getting out hustled to loose balls.  It really wasnt fun to watch, except for all the Galaxy goal scoring opportunities missed.  The second half was much better.  The Quakes, especially Wondo, were on fire.  They ran faster, they jumped higher, kicked further and more accurately.  Wondo hit the post TWICE on two consecutive shots and hit Lenhart in the back on another one, which may have gone in if Lenny wasn't in the way!!!!  But FINALLLLLLY on a corner kick with about 15 players in the box, somehow Wondo got through the crowd and got his head on the ball and SCORED goal number 26 of the season!  He only needs one more goal to tie the MLS goal scoring record and two to break it.   The Quakes have one more game left.  The players all said they are going to try to get him the ball all game....the coach says he may rest him for the playoffs!  I hope he plays and DOES NOT get injured!!!!!!!!!! 

Duck Season Opener here

Bradley got 5, Scott got 4.

Team Party

Since today was the final flag football game of the season, a bunch of parents were talking about going out to pizza after the game.  I didn't go to Andrew's second game, Scott took him.  When they got home I asked about the pizza plans and Scott said, "yeah they are going to Woodstocks"...so we went over there and no one was there.  I have one of the mom's phone numbers, so I texted her and she said, "no one made any final plans, so we all went our own way."  So I texted her back and jokingly said, "We are here, this isn't a very good team party"...so she said "we are on our way"...and she came, with her family, and another one of the players.  So we did have a little "party"...haha...not really...but it was fun.  Andrew was happy!!!!  Here's a picture taken before the "party" arrived---

I pointed out that the boys were both wearing Kings shirts.....they hadn't noticed...but after I said it, they both wanted to change!!!!

3 games

Andrew has two football games and a soccer game today.  His first football game was at 11:00.  They won the game.  It was a very good, close game.  Andrew played well and had fun, but only played center on offense and was sad not to get any plays thrown or handed to him.  He complained to me, but still enjoyed winning.  On defense, he helped stop the other team A LOT. 

His soccer game was at 12:40, he got there just in time for warm ups.  I told the coach he was already warmed up, haha.  He played just about every minute of the entire game out in the heat.  He scored two goals, the only two goals his team scored, in fact, his team has scored 10 goals this season, Andrew has scored 7 of them!!!!!  But his team lost.  They've only won one game.  It makes me happy, though, to look at that top picture where they are running through the tunnel and they are all SMILING like champions! 

Then at 3:00 Andrew's flag football had their second game.  If they would have won, they would have had a game at 5:00, but they lost.  Andrew got 5 passes thrown to him in this game, he caught 3 of them, the other two were over his head, out of reach.  It was a rough game.  Andrew is sad that football season is over.  I just asked him if he was tired, he said, "out of 100 percent tired, I am 1000%".  Three games in a day is too much!!!!!!!!!!!!!  VERY fun day, though!!!! 

Andrew Flag Football

 Andrew's team won tonight!!!!!

Andrew's loves playing defense.

 

 

 



You can't really tell, but Andrew is catching the ball in this picture.....then he ran it towards the endzone in the next photo!

 

Flag Football

 Andrew's team only has a few more games left, but it has been a pretty good season.  Andrew's favorite part of football is playing free safety on defense and grabbing interceptions.  He also is great at slapping the ball down to break up a pass.  He looks like a volleyball player spiking when he does that, haha.  And after he does it, he almost always grabs his head or sort of hits himself in the head and says "why didn't I pick that off", haha!  He's very athletic and tall, so that's a big advantage to interceptions.  He is also pretty good at grabbing people's flag.  On offense, he doesn't get the ball very much, so that's probably another reason he likes defense so much.  If he plays again next season, I sure hope he gets a "fairer" coach, one who plays the kids equal amounts of time and who designs plays so they all get a chance to run or catch! 

I can NOT find the ball in this picture, but Andrew got an interception on this play, I took he picture anticipating him getting the interception and he did...then I was cheering and excited and didn't get any more pictures of the actual catch or any of the run afterwards. 

Andrew played center the whole first half on offense and was out the whole second half on offense, so yeah, you can see why offense really isn't all that exciting for him.  (center's cant block, so basically he hikes the ball and then stands there, no fun)

Scott was cold and this white thing from a jet ski shipment was in our car, so he just wrapped himself all up in it to stay warm. 

Yeah, flag football is a non contact sport, right!

Happy kid after the win!

Gold Team

Bradley tried out for the Bidwell Jr High 7th grade basketball team and he just found out today that he MADE IT.  There were 38 kids at try outs and they made two teams.  Bradley is on the Gold team.  The other team is the Black team.  It's very exciting.  He has only played CARD (recreational) basketball and church basketball and I'm sure some of the other kids have played AAU and other competitive basketball, so this might be a whole new sporting experience for Bradley.  But I'm sure he is ready for it.  He is the most competitive player on his soccer team.  He's also fairly tall for his age.  He thinks he's going to be the center.  The parent meeting is later in the month, so I don't know all the details yet, but the coach is a young college aged man.  I also know that Chico Unified no longer sponsors sports as school activities, so the parents have to pay for everything like the coaches, the refs, the equipment, etc.  I heard it will be about $250.00, which I am willing to pay, but I really do miss the time of free school sports!!!!  Look at that smile, though!  He was so happy that he made it (he thought he would) and he's especially happy to be on the "A" team, even though, at first, he thought he'd rather be a star on the "B" team.  It's always best to play with and against the best if a player wants to improve, right?  I'm so proud and happy for him.  Anyone want to work out with him for them next few weeks until the season starts????

USMNT

I can't even get my fairly talented under 10 team to beat the worst team in the league, so I am probably not one to criticize another coach, but if I got to PICK MY OWN team, I think I could do a pretty good job of winning games.  The coach of the United States Mens National Team gets to choose from all the athletes in the entire United States to make up his team.  (He could put Tyreke Evans mom in the goal or even Dwight Howard.)  (it might be breaking the rules, putting in a woman, but that's an inside joke that I think a few of my family members would laugh at!) 

I know he wants to win games.  Losing games=losing his job.  Losing games=not qualifying for the World Cup.  And really, the World Cup is the reason soccer players play soccer.  There are a lot of good (GREAT) players in the United States.  It's up to the coach to put together the best team.  He has to decide if he is going to pick the top 24 "athletes" or the top 2 players at each of the 11 positions.  He needs to decide if he wants people with good attitudes, who try hard at practice, uplift their teammates, and follow his philosophies, or does he want the guys with the best stats, even if they are jerks, don't listen to him, and are too big headed to think they need to improve by working hard at practice.  He has to decide how the guys he picks will work together. 

We all have favorites, he must, too.  I always wondered what Jonny Bornstein was brought in for during last World Cup.  Was he just super fun to be around, was he a coach's pet, was he so good in practice....???  I have a kid on my team who I like a lot, yeah, above the rest.  He is always first to practice.  He always thanks me at the end.  He encourages the others.  He doesn't mess around at practice.  He always tries hard.  I bet if I got to pick an u 10 team, I'd put him on it!  Maybe some of the guys make the team because the coach likes them?!?!??  Maybe some guys DON'T make the team because he DOESN'T like them.  Maybe they don't listen, follow his plan, maybe they bad mouth him, or act bad back at the hotel, things we "fans" don't see. 

Well, I want the USMNT to win.  I want them to qualify for the World Cup.  I also want to watch my "favorites" play.  It's no fun rooting for jerkoids like Eddie Johnson. 

The USMNT roster was announced today and the coach snubbed Chris Wondolowski.  He is the MLS top scorer.  He scores goals.  He scores tap ins because he knows how to be in the right place at the right time.  He also scores headers, long shots, left foot shots, creates his own shots, goals off of pk's, corner kicks, free kicks, he has even CHESTED in a goal.  He just scores.  He's not "lucky", he is skilled and talented and works hard.  He deserves to play for his national team!  The coach said in a press release before the roster announcement that he was going to base his decision on how players are performing at a club level...but then he fails to choose the MLS MVP.  I don't get it! 

Another Earthquake, Alan Gordon, did make the team.  I'm thrilled for him, but still disappointed about Wondo's exclusion!  The coach brought in THREE injured guys...why?????  WHY??? 

I know that players ultimate goal in their soccer career is to play for the National team and ultimately play in the World Cup.....so there really is no "bright side" or "consolation", but, well, at least Chris wont get hurt while not playing in these two games....and I doubt he needs any "rest", but he'll get a week off by not being placed on the team, so I guess rest never really hurt anyone.  Some may think that the snubbing will motivate him....I guess, if it does, then that's good....but I just wish he could be on the team and show the US that he is more than that ONE time he skyed the ball over the crossbar in the Gold Cup, because, right now, that's what the haters remember! 

Go USA!  (but I wish it was a team made up of my "favorites"!) 

Good Soccer Day

Today was such a good soccer day.  Well, except for the team I coached.  UGH!  Those kids, I can never tell which team will show up....I guess that's how it goes with EIGHT year olds.  I either get the team who plays well, passes, shoots goals, stops players, has fun or the team who just messes around, walks, talks to each other, kicks softly, bunches up......yeah, I got the second team today.  I'm scared for next week, we play the undefeated team who won their game 9-0 today!  The team we lost to today was the team we beat 6-2 last time we played them and we only had 8 players that day!  I don't UNDERSTAND!  UGH! 

But, on a happier note, Bradley's team won while Bradley scored a hat trick.  Andrew's team played their best game of the season and only lost 3-2 with Andrew scoring both goals!!!

And then tonight there was an Earthquakes game.  I sat near the TV at exactly 6:00 to take the remote away from Andrew.  Flip to channel 699 and see a black screen.  Then a message "technical difficulties"....so turn on the computer....see what's going on...everyone with Directv had the same problem.  So I start reading Twitter....to find out that the Quakes SCORED.  Then a few minutes later SCORED AGAIN...all while I am listening to elevator music and watching a black screen!  I thought about searching for a live feed online somewhere, but I've read that that is a good way to pick up a virus, so I was leery to try it!  But I was very happy that the Quakes were up 2-0!  And super super happy that Wondolowski scored the second goal!  About 20 minutes into the game the technical difficulties ended and Andrew stopped asking if he could change the channel. 

Wondo scored two more goals for his hat trick, just like Bradley!  Wondo's hat trick was more meaningful, though.  He passed the leading career goal scorer for the Quakes AND he's only 3 goals away now from passing the player who holds the record for most goals ever scored in a season, with 25.  And the Quakes win puts them even closer to win the Supporter's Shield, although Sporting KC has three games left, while the Quakes only have 2, so they have to keep on winning!

"not a soccer player", yeah, RIGHT

Andrew's team is not very good this year....but they played their best game and their closest game of the season today.  They only lost 3-2.  Andrew scored BOTH of his team's goals.  I love watching him play, even though he keeps claiming that he likes football better and that he's not a soccer player.  He's really good. 

I do think, though, that more and more of the skilled, talented youth soccer players are now playing in the Butte United and Chico CAL leagues because the skill level in CYSL right now is fairly sad.  Andrew is in Under 12's and they can't really seem to do anything near what Bradley's old under 12 teams could (Michelle, remember our light blue team?  we could pass, the kids would set each other up, do planned plays, really was fun!)  Maybe it's also that kids are doing so many other things besides soccer, that they don't become as good at soccer.  I don't know, but Bradley's game (u14) could have been 20-0 if his team could shoot and Andrew's game could have been made into a Bad News Bears movie, before the Bears got good! 

Hat Trick

Bradley's team is really good this season...today they played super well against an inferior team.  Especially Bradley!  He scored a hat trick.  His first was a tap in on another kids long shot that the goalie muffed.  The second he dribbled and juked a bunch of defenders and even head faked the goalie before slotting it in the corner.  The third goal was a back heel while he was faced away from the goal (picture in top right corner).  He had a lot of fun, it was a better week than last week for him, that's for sure! 

Flag Football

Andrew had a flag football game this afternoon.  His team lost badly last week, so I'm sure the boys didn't want another game like that.  They played SO good this game.  The season is more than half way over, so the coaches no longer stand on the field telling them what to do before, during, and after every single play, so the game goes a lot smoother and a lot faster.  It also allows more scoring.  Andrew didn't play AT ALL on offense the first half, which made me V E R Y angry.  There are 10 kids on a team, 7 play at a time.  That means if only 6 kids are out on offense the whole game, 4 of them got to play the whole game.  If playing time would be fairer, I'd be A LOT happier.  Maybe if Andrew played the ENTIRE game on defense, it would make the time "out" on offense seem a little more acceptable, but he was also out during two of the defensive series (there is about 8 each game).  Andrew is a good football player, I'm not just saying that because I am his mom.  He's tall, which helps for receiving and for playing safety on passes.  He's smart, so he can sometimes "read" the plays when others can not.  AND we all payed the same amount for registration fees, so our kids should all play the same amount.  I know I am right on this. 

 

Andrew's team did not get blown out this game.  The game was very close.  By the end of the game it was 4 touchdowns to 3, with Andrew's team near the goal line with one play left.  They threw it to Andrew who caught it out of the end zone.  He ran to the endzone, but was grabbed by his SHIRT to slow him down, then grabbed by his foot to trip him.  They didn't get his flag until he was on the ground.  Since the ref had already announced that it was the last play of the game, even though it was a penalty, the game was over. 

Here is a great shot of Andrew right as he was catching an interception.  He ran it back almost all the way into the end zone, but a fast guy caught him right at the very end.  Andrew says he was in, though.  He claims that the kid threw the flag backwards, out of the end zone, and by the time the ref arrived down the field, he just set the ball where the flag lay, not where Andrew was standing.  The team made the touchdown on the next play, though.  It was Andrew's team's first touchdown of the day, so that was exciting.  Everyone was high fiving Andrew for a few minutes!

The Quarterbacks always throw the ball VERY short...no one caught this one, but 3 kids had the opportunity!

Not many passes were thrown to Andrew, but he caught this one.  It's not a very good picture, but he has the ball in his hands!  He ran around that guy and ran way upfield. 

this was the last play of the game...you can kind of see the white goal line there in the background...he got really close, but after catching it, those two guys dragged him down before he got in! 

Andrew's team

I know I'm going to sound like a bragging biased soccer mom....but after watching Andrew's team this season at practices and games, I think Andrew is the best player on his team.  He's also one of the youngest.  He's also the tallest.  It's weird that he is so young, but so tall....but unfortunately, he doesn't really like soccer all that much.  I can understand his reasons---it's always hot, there's lots of running, he has to wake up early on Saturday and miss Saturday morning cartoons, his coach yells a lot, and probably the biggest reason- his team ALWAYS manages to lose.  Losing is no fun, but especially not when it happens over and over and over.  We had a board meeting tonight and Andrew's coach's name was brought up because he thinks he was given a bad team, not "bad", but a team with no talent.  We tell coaches like that that it's a random computer draw that makes the teams, but I also believe that he is not coaching them properly....he yells A LOT, he blows his whistle, his drills go on tooooooooo long, he is a good person, he is trying, but he needs to compliment more, make practices more fun, and he should NOT make a big deal about never winning, especially in front of the boys!!!!!!! 

Bradley the competitor

Bradley is a very talented soccer player...I don't know if it's the fact that he has grown up around soccer, if it's in his genes, or if soccer is just easy for him, but he is one of the best on the team (in the league) right now.  He's good at dribbling, at crosses, corner kicks, and shooting.  He also has a hot head.  He talks to the refs when he doesn't get the call he wants, he yells at the other players when they push or trip him, and he is just easily excitable.  Well, last game he played his friend's team.  I think that takes Bradley's competitiveness up a notch, but the add the fact that the ref for the day is one who has already seen enough of Bradley's antics and wont give him an inch, it's like she's watching HIM.  Well, he played with his usual gusto and was very demonstrative when he was pushed, kicked, or knocked to the ground, but she would NOT blow her whistle for ANYTHING, except to call HIM for pushing, or offsides.  So his temper was a bit hot all game.  Also, his shots weren't going in, they were hitting the crossbar or going over or to the side.  It didn't help that the coach switched Bradley off with the one player who works best with him, so they were never in at the same time.  ANYWAY, to make a way too long introduction to what I wanted to say shorter, I'll just get to the punch line----this weekend, Bradley got a yellow card.  He was harmlessly dribbling down the sideline and was tripped by a blue team guy.  The ref DID call it, she DID give Bradley a free kick....but he stood up from where he was laying and went straight to his friend on the other team and SHOVED him away.  Automatic yellow card....and the entire sideline did the "oooooooooooooohhhhhhhhhhhhhh" at the EXACT same time.  He didn't get back into the game after that.  It was deserved.  He cant shove during the game.  It was inexcusable, but here was his excuse...he said his friend called him a "F*&$+ing Flopper", which made him mad.  No excuse is a good excuse here, but that's what he said happened. (and I do believe him...his little friend is a PUNK and even though they have been in school together since kindergarten, they are not very much alike and don't really get along.  And I dont think he would have shoved anyone else, it was just a familiar person, who at school or at home, or anywhere else, the shove would have been something that friends just do to each other.)  (but the ref didn't know that....neither did any of the "ooohhhh-ing fans")  What Bradley did made him look stupid and I even felt like it made me look bad!  I shouldn't care how I look, but I have coached before, I am on the Soccer League Board, I was sitting right there, feeling like everyone was thinking that boy must have bad parents who haven't taught him sportsmanship or that it's the RETALIATER who always gets in trouble!!! 

I think Bradley HAS learned from the yellow card incident.  I hope he has.  For the first little while after the game he seemed pretty pleased with himself and that also really bugged me. 

His favorite soccer player is Cristiano Renaldo. I think Bradley tries to act like him and be all fancy with his moves and celebrations, but I think Renaldo is a bad role model and a few weeks ago I told Bradley that.  I told him he should admire someone like Chris Wondolowski who is a great leader and upstanding citizen.  Well, after they yellow card incident Bradley came out with some comments like "Doesn't Wondo get yellow cards?"  "Isn't Wondo always yelling at the ref?"  Well, I guess he's not the best role model either!!!!!!!!!!!   But if the pros look stupid doing it, youth players SHOULD NOT imitate them!!!!  That's pretty obvious to me, but not Bradley, who is only 12 and thinks he is SO COOL. 

Elder Guymon in Brussels