My name is Emory Oldham. I am a second-grader at Beverly Cheatham Elementary School in Allen, Texas. I have played soccer since I was 3 years old. On Friday, I had the opportunity to go the Dallas Sidekicks professional soccer game at the Allen Event Center with my dad.

My dad has told me stories about going to the Sidekicks games with my Mom Mom and Pop Pop when he was a kid. He gets excited when he talks about Tatu scoring goals and throwing his jersey into the stands for a lucky fan. I was curious to see what all the excitement was about since this was my first Sidekicks game.

We arrived at the game a little early so that we could walk around and see the arena before the game began. The first thing I needed was a Sidekicks shirt and since I accidentally forgot my money my dad said he would buy one for me. I immediately ran to the bathroom and changed into my new shirt.

Next we walked around to look at all the food venders. My dad ate a pulled pork sandwich and I had a pack of Starburst. Only my dad would think that was OK for dinner.

Now it was time to visit the press box. Dad and I were allowed to take a special elevator to the top of the arena and see where the TV and radio announcers sit when they report the game. I thought it was really cool to meet a radio and TV legend Norm Hitzges. He was really nice to me and we took a picture together. I think maybe my dad was more excited to meet him than I was. While in the press box we found a couple of seats with a great view to watch the game.

We watched as the players began to warm up just like I do before I play my soccer games. Dad and I started laughing when we noticed the two goalies were stretching and running to the beat of the music. It almost looked like they were dancing. Time flew by fast and before we knew it, smoke was coming out of a tunnel in front of the goal and the players were running onto the field. My heart started pounding with excitement and the crowd was on their feet cheering and waving white towels above their heads. I had a hard time sitting still in the press box because the excitement made me want to scream!

The night was filled with more than soccer. We cracked up and covered our eyes as the "kiss cam" was showing on the video board. They would show moms and dads sitting together and they had to kiss if the camera was on them!

Also, between quarters they would play fun games on the field. One game included three fans competing for a prize. They had to spin around in a circle 20 times and then try to dribble the ball and score a goal. My dad was watching with his mouth wide open and smiling because he thought it was so funny. After spinning around and around the fans were so dizzy they could hardly stand up to dribble the ball.

The game was dominated by the Sidekicks. Dad and I discussed how the players passed the ball around and how many moves they knew how to make with the ball. They ran nonstop the entire game and I wanted to know how they got so good. Dad said they probably started playing when they were 3 years old just like me and practiced every day. I decided I would see if I could interview a couple of players after the game to ask them for myself.

The final buzzer sounded and I was able to walk down the field with the other reporters that were at the game. As the players were cooling off I walked over to two of my favorite players from the game to ask them a couple of questions.

First I talked to number 34 Franck Mbemba. I asked him how long he had been playing soccer and he said since he was 3 years old just like me! Mr. Franck said he practices every day and that he eats pasta for energy on game days.

Next, I walked over and asked number 7 Robert Luevano if I could ask him a couple of questions. The first thing I learned is that he goes by "RJ." I think he could tell I was a little nervous and he got down on one knee to talk with me. He said, "We are both soccer players so just talk to me as one soccer player to another."

I told him I really liked how he scored a goal using a "rollover and step over move." My soccer coach, Melissa on the American Eagles, is always trying to get me to be confident and make moves in my games as well. Mr. RJ told me the same things Mr. Franck and my dad said about practicing every day and eating good if I want to continue to improve as a player.

After my interviews were done, my dad and I walked around the field just looking up and seeing how big the arena really is. We took some pictures and I asked several players to autograph my new shirt. I love getting autographs and I found that there were players all around the arena signing autographs for all the fans at the game.

I thought it was really cool that everyone at the game had a chance to meet the players, take pictures with them, and get autographs. I have been to many different sporting events with my dad, but this was the first time the players really wanted to meet all the fans.

The night was now over and dad and I were ready to head home. I had four soccer games myself on Saturday and after talking to Mr. Franck and Mr. RJ I knew I needed to get home and get a good night's sleep to prepare for the next day. It was hard to fall asleep that night because I was still thinking about all the excitement at the game. My dad and I had a wonderful time and I am so thankful for the time we spent together.

Now, I can't wait to take my shirt to school on Monday and show my second-grade teacher, Ms. Smith, my shirt and tell my class all about my Friday night. Looking forward to another Sidekicks game, maybe with my mom and brother next time...




Emory Oldham

Second Grade Beverly Cheatham Elementary

American Eagles '05

Current Rating: 4 of 6 votes!

Rate File: Select Rating: * ** *** ****

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