Day 3 - Monday with Leo

Welcome to Maastricht! We began our soccer leg of the trip and it was love at first site with Leo, our 68-year young grandfatherly trainer. The girls were very nervous but he soon put them at ease. Some of his lines from the day:



• How was your communication? SHIT. IT WAS SHIT COMMUNICATION!
• Soccer players are either smart or lazy – that was not smart….
• You girls pass like you are color blind.
• Regarding formation and goalies not being included – What’s the matter? Don’t you like them?
• After Candy missed trapping ball – SUB!
• You will be playing against 24-year olds, blind with wooden legs (Mia believed)
• Seeing Keith carrying all of the equipment – He’s a donkey

Leo and Coen (our guide) were both extremely impressed with the skills and abilities of our team – “they can play soccer!” Our two 2-hour training sessions emphasized possession, playing simple and opening their hips to see the field.

We replenished the girls with a pre-game feast of fruit salad and peanut butter and jelly sandwiches a la Chef Wendy, Candy and Chrissy.

The girls from Vermont then travelled to play the local club Polaris and won 8-0. We were assisted by some "home town officiating" with our volunteer flag person.  After the game, the two teams bonded at the Club Canteen.

Off to bed – two more trainings and a match tomorrow night. The competition is promised to be stiffer in the next 3 matches.