Took my 2 year 2 month old boy to the match - his first. [Edit since topic change: 5/5/18 vs the Mighty Cunts of Macombs Dam Bridge]
He watches (half assed -- he's a toddler) games at home and "kick the ball" ,"soccer ball" and "goal!" etc are his words.
Got there a few mins prior to KO, and PA announcer was giving out lineup, music blasting, bulls on parade, fireworks, etc.
Add to being in a crowd etc, and his nap time is typically at 2pm he was a bit fidgety, scared/nervous, starting to whinge and close to losing it.
Wouldn't even take a bite of pizza.
I knew it was a roll of the dice to bring him, and it seemed I'd screwed up.
Then a miracle happened 1st min of match!
That first goal happened and we stood and yelled "goal!" and clapped and gave high fives to folks around us. He was suddenly all smiles.
Second goal a couple minutes later and he was as happy as can be. He was into it as 2-year old could be from there on in.
He sat, stood and clapped a bunch (when others clapped, and sometimes just to clap), said his words, stared at the supporters a bit as they did their thing, and we enjoyed the other two goals. Big smiles.
Absolute success of a day all around, and one I'd looked forward to and will remember for years to come. (And with it the 4-0 ass whipping of the "one true team that represents my city and me unlike the pink cows that play in oooh jersey in a stadium i can't get too something something Newark" too!!)
From the walk out of the stadium through yesterday we've been asking him, "how many goals did we score?" and he counts off in toddler voice "two, three, four"