August 11, 2004

LET THE GAMES BEGIN....

Today's game, opener for our group games in Heraklio on the island of Crete, was USA v Greece. The stadium is absolutely gorgeous. It couldn't be in a better place, 20 yards away from the Mediterranean Sea. It has been beautifully remodeled for the Olympic Games, and today was full of thousands of crazy Greek soccer fans (not to mention our own families. They are crazy too! hahaha).

It is amazing to think that this is my third Olympiad. Not sure where the time has gone, but I know that being on the soccer field doesn't make me feel any older. I still love the challenge, the nervous feeling I get before I go out to the field for warm-up, the smell of the fresh cut grass, the sweat as it pours down my back....I have figured it out, I AM A COMPETITOR. In our 3-0 victory, I didn't get into the game. I know that it is hard to play 18 players, when you can only start 11 and have three subs, BUT I still want to get in. I want to help my team play the best, most attractive, creative soccer possible. I guess I am okay with being fired up about not playing because to me that means I still care. I care how we achieve our goals, not just that we achieve them. I care that we get better everyday, and I want to be a catalyst for making that happen. I care that we all feel that rush of an opening whistle, so I want to be on the field. With that said, I cheered like crazy when Boxxy, Abby and Mia scored their goals, or when Joy won an 50/50 ball, or Aly spun someone into the ground with her super dribbling skills... I am a competitor, and I love soccer.

More games to come soon. August 14th and 17th. See you then.

CHEERS!

Brandi