Evan's soccer coach came across a really neat experience for the team to be escorted onto the soccer field at the beginning of a Real game. I was super excited for this experience for them. I've watched a FEW professional soccer games and I've always wondered why they walked out onto the field with KIDS at the beginning of the games. But when my kids were given that opportunity, I thought it was awesome! I guess it's sort of a sponsorship kind of thing, I'm still not totally sure. So originally it was just going to be Evan's team walking out with the players, but not enough kids on his team wanted to do it so they asked if there were any other kids under 8 who could come. I texted him back right away and let him know that Ryan would LOVE to go.
When we got to the game, there were HUNDREDS of kids corralled into this thing. I was wondering what on earth was going on. We waited and waited and waited and all of the sudden our kids were whisked away to another area. I realized that the other kids just got to run around the outside of the field. Soon it was time for the National Anthems and the players to come out onto the field. At that moment, Colin realized what OUR kids were going to do. It was kind of funny. I was so excited for them and couldn't get over it! I was really not in a good spot for taking photos but luckily the coach was so he sent us some of these.
After the anthems, our kids went back under the tunnel and we got to stay and watch the rest of the game. It was super fun to take the kids out to another sporting event that they (or I and Colin) had ever attended live before. AND, Real Salt Lake won!
Evan, Emry, and Jax posing in front of the stadium when we went to turn in our vouchers for tickets. The boys each got a voucher for one Real game with their soccer season fee and they got another free ticket to attend with Mountain America Credit Union so we all got in for free!
All of the soccer teams getting ready for the pre-game parade around the field.
Evan's team with his coach in the red hat. You can see Ryan's dark hair and Evan's red hair just next to him.
Ryan and Evan eating cotton candy at the game!
The view from our seats. Real vs. Vancouver.
Ryan and Evan after the game.
Evan is the far left and Ryan just next to him.
The boys with the players for the Anthems.
