March 17th, day one at the fields proved to be an extremely busy day for the ladies, from group photos to national anthems, speeches and yes, MORE photos!!!  We arrived at the fields expecting to play our first game and quickly found we were involved in a whole lot more, from various local teams asking for pics with our girls, to a group of u10 boys inquiring "Cual es tu fruita favorita?" (What’s your favorite fruit) or "Cuantos anos tienes?" (How old are you). 

Once things got under way, the girls felt like they were at the opening ceremonies of the Olympics!  All teams were lined up around the stadium with the fans cheering from the stands.  The announcer spoke a greeting, welcoming all players and teams to the first ever Copa Queretaro tournament and proceeded to introduce each team.  After team announcements there was a procession as the Mexican flag was marched into the stadium and all teams, coaches, fans and officials around us saluted with their right hand held out across their chest.  After the marching of the Mexican national flag, two groups of young players came out displaying the Amercian flag and another Mexican flag.  All teams within the stadium listened to the Mexcian National Anthem and then they played the Amercian National Anthem.  It was a moment of national pride for our ladies as the Star Spangled Banner began blaring over the sound system...and I think even a few of the girls were caught singing aloud!!!

Bria West, captain of the u14 premier 94 girls FIRE team, came to the table of honor and gave thanks to both the Lobos soccer club and the municipality of Queretaro for welcoming us with such open arms.  She presented President Jesus Padilla of the Los Lobos with an authentic FIRE Jersey and team picture, and gave Ms. Sabrina Vargas, from the city of Queretaro, a wooden shoe, representative of our home city of Holland, and a team picture as well. 

The conclusion of opening ceremonies came with a small soccer ritual in which a player from each team was selected to dribble the ball and pass it off to the next player in sequence that ended with a shot on goal.  Zoe LaCroix, captain of the u13 premier 95 FIRE girls team, began the first pass and coach Courtney Nash was selected to strike the shot on goal that would signal the start of the tournament. 

Let the games begin!!!