Lindsey, Joey and I went to our first Monday Night Football game last night. It was Real Salt Lake vs Toronto FC. Currently RSL is sitting in first place in the Western Conference of MLS. We got to the game about 20 min early and were able to purchase tickets in the 7th row on the corner (one of my favorite places to watch a game from). Once we got into the stadium we realized the reason there were so many seats there, it was one of the only places in the stadium still in the sun. By the way RSL currently plays on the U of Utah football field, which is turf, a horrible soccer pitch. Anyways, the sun was only on us until about half time, to keep Joe cool we dumped some water on him, which may have been his favorite part of the game.

Our seats were directly behind the Real Loyalists, they had about 3 drums and a collection of people doing cheers the entire game, that definetly made it a lot more fun. Joey really seemed to enjoy the drums and occasionally partook in the clapping. Most of all he liked climbing the stadium steps.

For most of the first half RSL dominated play, there were a few break aways for TFC and even a shot off the post, but no it remained 0-0 at half time. The second half RSL was attacking the goal at our end of the stadium. They continued their first half pressure and finally in the 63rd min. one of their center backs, Olave, broke through for a goal. Up until then he had played an exceptional defensive game, with the excpetion of one ball "stab" that let his man get in deep to the box with the ball.

The game looked to be in RSL's hands until the last ten minuets of the game Olave commited a foul just outside the box, directly in front of the goal. It looked as though the player actually tripped on the turf, but Olave had made a sliding stab at the ball, so that will often get called, he should have just stayed on his feet. This tied the game with less than 10 minuets to go.

RSL went back on the attack, and had several good attempts, until finally in the last 3 minuets RSL ripped a shot from about 20 yards out, the keeper deflected it toward the top of the box, Robbie Findley collected, beat two defenders and put a shot low to the keepers left to put RSL up for good.

So some parent lessons learned from the game. Joey only really watched the game when the ball got close to our end, but at least he showed some interest. Try to get seats in the shade or bring a water squirt bottle. A baby carrier back pack is crucial for the long walk, and for dancing to the drums during the game. When a home goal is scored cover the boy's ears, because he does not like the sudden explosion of sound.

One final note, not soccer related, but it did put a good cap on the evening for Joey. As we walked to the cars, Joey in the backpack, the University was watering their lawns with large sprinklers. Much to Lindsey's disapproval Joey and I wandered through the sprinkers, this was met with large squeals of laughter and joy, and also a lot of bouncing in the pack.

We only had our camera phones (we forgot the good camera), so here is a photo I took.