A Florida Soccer Getaway

A foggy first morning - Austen #48

Last weekend, Austen and I got to leave the cold weather in Chicago behind to head to Florida for a soccer tournament. He had an early game on Friday so we flew out late afternoon on Thursday, arriving with just enough time to pick up our rental car and grab dinner before heading to the hotel to get some rest. When booking our rental car, I noticed that the prices for a regular car and a convertible were pretty much the same so I took the liberty of booking the convertible. The prices must have been really good because when we got to the airport all they had left was a Mazda Miata convertible. We could only fit one of our small suitcases in the trunk with no backseat space so we obviously couldn't take that one but after about 20 minutes of searching and various options given, they found us a black Camaro convertible. Austen was thrilled with that choice even though it was so low that I barely could see over the front hood! Still when in Florida and you have 80 degree weather, you need to go with the convertible. 

First game was early morning with Galaxy going up 1-0 in the first half on a goal by Austen. The subs needed to play at least half time in this tournament so with that being said and the fact that we were missing our two center backs, we ended the game with a 3-1 loss. A beatable team but not with our second best team. The boys quickly shrugged off the lost and were looking forward to some team bonding at Busch Gardens complete with a zoo roaming with giraffe and flamingos as well as a very scary roller coaster (Shakeara). I was one of the only parents willing to ride the roller coasters so inadvertently I got placed in in the first car and Austen and his teammates were in the second and third cars. They took you up and then dangled you over the 90 degree drop for 10 seconds before free falling downward. The boys had fun all together and we ended the night with a team dinner at Ford's Garage. 

Saturday was a later morning game so it was nice to sleep in for a bit. This was going to be a much tougher game and I could see that right away. They were pretty evenly matched with a lot of physical play. We ended up losing 1-0 (again the subs must play 50 percent) but our goalie made such a great save on a PK that it felt like a win to us! After the game, the boys headed to the beach at Siesta Key where they played beach soccer and took their ice baths in the salty ocean. We ended the evening with food/drinks at a nearby outdoor Daquiri bar and the boys went back to the hotel for more pool time and pizza.

Sunday was the earliest game of all and we ended on a high note. We won 2-1 with Austen contributing a goal and an assist. After getting some food in us, we put the top down and drove back to the airport to catch our flight home to rainy and cold weather. 

Not a great performance from a soccer standpoint but understandable given the parameters that the subs needed to play 50%. Austen enjoyed himself though and was happy with all the hang out time with his teammates which is what you really remember and enjoy about club soccer - the tournaments and the time spent away with your teammates who will likely become some lifelong friends. 

Team dinner

Sweaty!

Siesta Key

Ready for takeoff/Florida here we come!

Our wheels!

Busch Gardens