Day 201 - Lents Park

Portland has some fantastic city parks.  I think I've mentioned this before, but I am continually struck by how well kept up they are - and how they have kept their charm.  Lents Park is definitely one of those places.  Thirty eight acres of soccer fields, baseball fields (including a nice little stadium), basketball courts, trails for running, and general playground equipment.  Recently the city looked at it as a possible location for building a new AAA baseball stadium.  I'm glad someone got their head out of their ass and decided not to do it.  I'll spare you the whole Portland city debate about what to do.  For some, like myself, it is pretty cut and dry - but clearly the city will fuck around with the decision until the AAA team we love will leave.  But, I digress. 

Back to the park.  One of the things I love about the older parks is the fact they have an area where performances can be held - and they keep it up.  Lents Park has one of those places.

We discovered Lents Park when Garbanzo was playing rugby, and tonight I was back to play soccer.  I subbed for a women's team Odin's wife plays on.  I thoroughly love soccer....just didn't start playing it  until about 5 years ago when I was roped into joining an indoor team.  In the midwest, specifically, Iowa, soccer didn't come into popularity until I was in college - like the very early 90s, so I never had a chance to learn to play.  But, my roommate played for the college team, so I got a LOT of exposure to the game - this is Fred, and she was very good!

Indoor is pretty simple - 6 people on the field plus goalie.  You are either forwards or defenders.  Outdoor soccer - well their positions have names.  And while I know where they are located on the field, I don't understand the role of the player in certain situations.  Thankfully, I got on right defense and stayed there.  I like defense.  It was what I played in indoor as well and enjoy how physical the game can get.  (In indoor, I got really good at slyly shoving guys into the wall so I could steal the ball.)  I think I have been roped into playing during their fall league.  I can think of worse things.  As Odin's wife said, it's about time we make the boys come and watch US play since we watched them play rugby for a couple years.  I can get behind that statement.