Never stop learning

One of the reasons soccer is so beautiful, is that 10 people can watch one game and come up with 10 different thoughts on how they thought it was played.  There can be a love hate relationship with different players, there can be a heated discussion on a 3-4-3 system vs. a 3-5-2.  It doesn't matter how long you have played, coached or just been a fan...you can never stop learning about this game.  Every day I enjoy discovering how differently people can interpret a game of soccer, even if they are wrong HAHAHA

I cannot wait for the Women's Soccer portion of the Olympic Games to start this afternoon, and hear what everyone has to say! GO RED WHITE AND BLUE!

USA Women's National Team

Today the USA Women's National Team takes on France in the first round of the Olympics!  Although the USA are favorites in the tournament, there is no game that can be taken lightly, no team overlooked...France will be a force to reckon with. 

More to come on the RED WHITE AND BLUE game at noon ET

Christie Rampone holds the record for international appearances among active players with 260. The USA captain is also preparing to set two national records tomorrow evening when she takes the field in an Olympic Women’s Football Tournament match for the 17th time and becomes the first American to appear in four separate editions.   She has the chance to be the first footballer of any nationality, and of either sex, to win three gold medals. (FIFA.com)

LOVE FOR THE RED WHITE AND BLUE

USA vs. France July 25th @ 12:00pm
USA vs. Columbia July 28th @ 12:00pm
USA vs. DPR Korea July 31st @ 12:15pm

FULL OLYMPIC SOCCER SCHEDULE

Game for All

The fact that many soccer leagues, such as zog sports, metro league and NYWMSL in NYC, offer multiple divisions for different experience levels, just reiterates to me how great this game truly is.  I am constantly amazed at how many adults lace up for their boots for their first soccer game at the age of 35!  A game that has accessibility to the masses does not make it “easy” it makes it wonderful.

In general, I have a love hate relationship with opinion editorials.  I try to use them as a way to educate myself, to see things through they eyes of others, but I often find myself annoyed and offended rather than validated or educated.

Too often these days, I feel like I just read about people complaining, and often complaining about things that they don't understand or even seem to really care about.  For example, I will never  understand why the WSJ printed the thoughts of a religion professor at an all male college on the topic of girls soccer in America today...a column that has almost single handedly influenced my decision to start this blog.  Well, that terrible column AND my sister Kelly, love you!

My particular topic of interest is soccer, so I will get right down to it.  I have been a soccer player for 25 years, a coach for 7+ years, and a lover of the game since I was 6 years old when I shot the ball into a kid so hard it made him fall over (Sorry, Brian hehe).  

How can I not love a game where you can compete 1 v 1 while also being a part of a team of 11?  How can I not love a game that can literally be played anywhere in the world, on any surface, at any time?  The answer is simple, I can't; I love it.  It truly is the "beautiful game", and this is how I see it...