Nope. I'm back with a vengeance, following up last year's World Cup sermon with an even more demanding admonishment: Watch the Women's World Cup. Yes, it started just last night over here in Germany, where the hosts defeated Canada 2:1 and France eaked out a 1:0 win over Nigeria.
The last time I really sat down to watch women's soccer was an Olympic Gold Medal game between the U.S. and Brazil. The U.S. was full of tactical smarts and the experience of those heroes who won the World Cup on our home soil in 1999. The Brazilians were true up-and-coming talents, playing with the same flair and athleticism for which their male compatriots are known. Eventually experience trumped athleticism and the U.S. pulled it out in a thriller. Every moment was saturated with excitement and passion: sport at its finest.
Soccer is a beautiful game, and these ladies play beautiful soccer. No, it won't match the world-uniting passion of the last year's World Cup, but here in Germany, as in the U.S. in '99, the stadiums are sold out, the fans are ready to cheer, and it looks to be a great tourney. And, from an American perspective, we actually have a shot at winning this one (we've won two, as indicated by the stars on their uniforms). Defending champs and hosts Germany are probably the favorite, with talented Brazil and U.S. teams not far behind. Dark horses include France, Norway and Sweden.
One more reason to watch it: I have a daughter. She's probably too young to pick up on it just yet, but I'll have her in the room with me anyway. I'm teaching her to kick her fluffy little toy ball. She may very well inherit my overall lack of athletic prowess, but I hope she grows up to know that sports, competition, physical training, teamwork, winning and losing are all good things. These are all things worth experiencing and worth celebrating. I hope she won't buy into the notion, still common here, even though Germany is hosting, that soccer is a men only obsession. Mia Hamm, the U.S.'s best all-time player, always said that a primary motivation to play was to inspire little girls, and she seems to me a better inspiration than so many of the women or men who make it on our television screens. My daughter is a little girl with little legs, but underneath her curly hair lie budding dreams waiting to bloom. If those dreams include kicking a black and white ball, then may she be inspired anew every four years.
In the meantime, pop open a bottle of German beer and turn on ESPN. It's about to start.
The last time I really sat down to watch women's soccer was an Olympic Gold Medal game between the U.S. and Brazil. The U.S. was full of tactical smarts and the experience of those heroes who won the World Cup on our home soil in 1999. The Brazilians were true up-and-coming talents, playing with the same flair and athleticism for which their male compatriots are known. Eventually experience trumped athleticism and the U.S. pulled it out in a thriller. Every moment was saturated with excitement and passion: sport at its finest.
Soccer is a beautiful game, and these ladies play beautiful soccer. No, it won't match the world-uniting passion of the last year's World Cup, but here in Germany, as in the U.S. in '99, the stadiums are sold out, the fans are ready to cheer, and it looks to be a great tourney. And, from an American perspective, we actually have a shot at winning this one (we've won two, as indicated by the stars on their uniforms). Defending champs and hosts Germany are probably the favorite, with talented Brazil and U.S. teams not far behind. Dark horses include France, Norway and Sweden.
One more reason to watch it: I have a daughter. She's probably too young to pick up on it just yet, but I'll have her in the room with me anyway. I'm teaching her to kick her fluffy little toy ball. She may very well inherit my overall lack of athletic prowess, but I hope she grows up to know that sports, competition, physical training, teamwork, winning and losing are all good things. These are all things worth experiencing and worth celebrating. I hope she won't buy into the notion, still common here, even though Germany is hosting, that soccer is a men only obsession. Mia Hamm, the U.S.'s best all-time player, always said that a primary motivation to play was to inspire little girls, and she seems to me a better inspiration than so many of the women or men who make it on our television screens. My daughter is a little girl with little legs, but underneath her curly hair lie budding dreams waiting to bloom. If those dreams include kicking a black and white ball, then may she be inspired anew every four years.
In the meantime, pop open a bottle of German beer and turn on ESPN. It's about to start.
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