The Thrill of Game Day!

There aren't many things better than America SCORES NY Game Day. Last Friday, 9/23/2016, marked the first Game Day of the 2016-17 season and it was amazing.

At around 1 pm, America SCORES NY Staff starting getting the game day fields ready for over 200 poet-athletes who would run, kick, jump, dive and score. The Jacob Schiff Field on 138th and Amsterdam in Harlem was brimming with anticipation. The sun was shining and the sky was blue, a perfect day for a soccer game.

At around 2:40 pm the teams started arriving. First came the PS 192 Boys and Girls in their crisp, new red jerseys. Proudly, they walked onto the field, chest popped out, heads held high, a real team, ready to play some soccer. They were followed by the sound of PS 125 chanting their School name as they marched up Amsterdam Ave. in two straight lines. Then came the PS 325 "soccer sisters" and "Blue United." By 3 pm the field was filled with kids from all over Harlem and Washington Heights getting ready to play soccer. It is amazing to see the pride and excitement that shines in the eyes of America SCORES NY poet-athletes before a game. They are part of something larger than themselves, they are part of team, a part of the SCORES community.

After circling the teams up and having a sportsmanship talk with help from Connor Lade from the New York Red Bulls, the games began! Connor was a great sport and served as an example to all of the kids, that with hard work dreams can be achieved. Another shout out to The Red Bulls for hooking the kids up with some awesome equipment this year; they looked great in their new shin guards...even if some of them put them on their arms at first.

The first game day was a huge success and the best part about it was there will be so many more to come this year. Game days are an integral part of our program that allow our poet-athletes to form friendships and long lasting memories, and we are so happy to be able put them on every week. We can't wait to see you all out there again!