I’m a soccer coach for team of 10 year olds. Yesterday our team was undefeated. Today’s game was a rough one.

The score was 2–1 at half, ending 4–1 in our defeat.

The other team is really good. Last Sunday they scored 2 goals within the first thirty seconds of the game beating their opponent 12–2. They have walked over just about team this season.

Knowing we were playing Red team this week my guys couldn't stop talking about how good the team is and how we were going to lose. Trying to be a good coach, we shut that talk down at practice but with all the players going to the same school there’s no way to kill it.

We lost the game before it even started.

Post game we always huddle up before heading home. I was frustrated and team was depressed. I had something to say and they needed to hear it.

I said “This is the team you were scared of. This is the team that won 12–2 last week. This is the team that beat you before the game even started. We played this team today. Your the team that had 27 shots on their goal. Your the team that held them at 2 goals. Your the team that shut down all but 4 shots. Your now the team they are scared to play again. Be proud of yourselves. Red walked onto the field believing they would win. You walked onto the field thinking you would lose. Red beat us today because we allowed it to happen. Next time we play them, remember this game. Remember how they couldn't just walk over you. You made them earn their win. Next time we will earn ours and now Red knows it.