October 5, 2004

CELEBRATION IN PORTLAND

Yikes!!!!! Just love playing on that turf.

The game against New Zealand wasn't for a World Cup championship, or an Olympic gold medal, but something just as impressive happened. My good friend and teammate Kristine Lilly scored her 100th international goal.

There had been a few good chances earlier in the game, and she even had one called back (thankfully, it was a toe poke, and even though you never return a goal, you would like it to be a good one), but the one that counted was absolutely a’ la Lilly. It was a dashing run up the middle to time a perfectly flicked through ball from Shannon MacMillan. Lil struck it a yard into the box with her deadly left foot into the lower right corner.

The whole team jumped up and down, then sprinted out to congratulate her. It was a great celebration!

Though the playing surface was a bit questionable, the play and the crowd were not. It was a terrific evening -- good soccer, great fan participation and a terrific way to finish with Lil's goal. With the exception of me twisting my ankle (see photo) it was exactly what this tour is all about: celebration.

Brandi