July 31, 2004
Hartford, Ct

It is the last day before we leave US soil, bound for Greece. Our LAST game before we move forward to that Gold Medal, and I should be sleeping but I am not. WHY? Because all I can think of is getting onto that field, battling it out with China, a relative chess match if you will, against one of the teams that will go down in history as one of our greatest rivals. Some of the names have changed -- no Gao Hong, no Sun Wen -- but their style, their tactics remain the same. Quick short passes, intermixed with precise penetrative balls that cut through a defense like the sandwich maker at a New York deli carves up a hunk of pastrami. They also know how to toy with you, IF you let them. Wall pass here, overlap there, third player combination up the right, slashing dribble up the left. It seems that they are coming from all angles, at will. We have watched them, dissected their play, and mapped out our own strategy. If I told you then I wouldn't be doing my job, we can talk about it afterwards ... wouldn't want anyone giving away the secrets before game time. = ) As for my contribution to the game, I am going to be watching, ever so carefully, for the weaknesses, finding the cracks in the armor, looking for breakdowns in the connection from back to front, and when I am called upon to perform, I will be ready. Sometimes it is tough to be on the sidelines in these sorts of games (Who am I kidding? Everyone wants to play, but we should all try to be realists. We cannot, so let's then move to the next phase, preparing ourselves to be in the right frame of mind to help the team.), mainly because there aren't any more games before we hit the big stage, and you'd like to think that you can make a difference. No matter the circumstances, I will be chomping on the bit eagerly awaiting a call to the center line, substitution card in hand, ready to give my teammates a high five as they exit and I enter, into what could be the last time I EVER play China (I mean, who knows, they may not advance, or be in our same group at the Olympics).

I will be back to you after the game with a recap Top moments defensively of the game ( I have to give the defenders props, since I am one of them), and I guess, offensively, since everyone likes a goal scorer. = )

CHEERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Brandi