Boys, soccer and cooking skills
In New York City, Martin Luther King High School have been the reigning champs of boys high school soccer for fifteen years. The MLK team, year after year is so skilled that often the bench is as talented as the starting line-up. Yesterday, I got the chance to see the lads from Beacon high school stop the streak as they took the semi-final game from King in the second sudden death overtime to win 2-1 and head off to the NYC finals on Sunday at St. Johns University. If you wrote a script for a movie based on a high school team–underdogs, this could have been it. As a whole–this team defined collaboration and determination–a winning combination.
Here’s the thing: I was working, and almost didn’t go to the game. But thanks to a group collaboration here on the set of MH–we made it happen and I got to the game–a more fufilling and exciting experience, I cant imagine. And I thought–when it comes to your kids–if you’re unsure whether or not to do something, DO IT. Do not miss these moments in their lives.
Third born son Luca scored the one goal Beacon had before a tie and overtime and I did miss that since I arrived late but–just to be out there with the guys was a thrill. At games end, the captain– Joe, a senior scored the winning goal, in such a composed and classy fashion that any soccer playing lad can learn from his style–a true team leader in his heart.
Lastly, I’d like to think that the half pound of rigatoni with tomato sauce, whole head of romaine lettuce salad and a good nights sleep prepared my own boy to get out on the field and enjoy that amazing experience with his team mates.
After Sundays game, the season ends and I plan on taking Luca up on his request to–“finally learn how to cook.” He won’t play soccer his whole life but if he’s lucky, he’ll always be able to cook himself a good meal.
Well done to all! Hope some of that Mad Hungry Fairy Dust will be sprinkled on my son and daughter’s games this weekend! MH FTW!
actually, on a seperate, more serious note, real food for the win! it is disheartening to know that some of my son’s 10-yr old fellow hockey players are already familiar with Whey Protein shakes etc. I am trying to fuel him with food that knows where it comes from…
My 9 year old plays travel soccer, so I love your photo’s!!! I wanted to send you a recipe that I spun from your roasted cauliflower recipe. After the cauliflower has roasted set aside and make a dressing with fresh lemon juice, one clove of finely minced raw garlic,red pepper flakes and olive oil. Then toss the cauliflower and some pasta of choice, I used medium shells, and it becomes a pasta salad…
WOW Go BEACON I have more pix and not sure if Jesse gave them to Luca
Good for Luca! Jesse is always Mad Hungry, so when he was younger he learned if he wanted to eat, he better know how to cook. There was a time each New Year’s Eve when he would go into one of our regional cookbooks from the Beautiful Cookbook Series (Harper Collins) or Culinaria and make us a full course meal from that country or region. We are not so privileged today as he is a soccer lad.When he hangs up his cleats he will still be able to eat and not put on an ounce. All the best Sunday.