My Only Sport

So everyone has always tried to get my excited about sports. Having been denied the opportunity to play them as a child, I've never really be into them. They were something I couldn't do.

There was however, in middle school, a brief glimmer of hope called soccer. I played very briefly but I loved it. I actually played goalie. Well....fast forward to the women's world cup. It rekindled my love for women's soccer. Since the cup, I've spent most of my free time watching old matches. I've watched at least 40 hours of soccer in about 14 days. Yup....I'm a fan.

I'm a big fan.

AND now I live in a city with a team. That's my home team shirt and my USNWT shirt! 3 STARS!!!

I went out Saturday to the Maryland SoccerPlex and watched the Washington Spirit play the Seattle Reign. Maybe y'all don't know but all but one of the National Team members plays on a National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) team as well. The Washington Spirit is the home to Ali Krieger who is a part of the the Department of Defense backline of the USWNT and Ashlyn Harris, who played for UNC as goalie and is the 2nd goalie for our team behind Hope Solo. I stood up for the entire 90 minute game. Yup...it was riveting.

We won by the way... 3 to 0. Clean sheet for our defense! I know our goalie who trains with Ashlyn who trains with Hope is getting some residuals from all the greatness. I'll be back at the Plex next Saturday too since we have 3 straight home games. 

I fell for soccer hard as a kid. I am from NC which has the greatest and most developed women's soccer dynasty at UNC.  Mia Hamm played for us from the 99ers. I had a very early introduction to soccer but it fell away as I became increasingly involved in academics and wasn't allowed to play. As a 1st yr, my lab shut down for the Men's World Cup. I realize that women's sports aren't that well recognized but they should be. These women are warriors. Abby Wambach has scored more international goals than any other player in history. I've pre-ordered her jersey! Hope Solo is literally the best goal keeper in the world. Carli Lloyd scored a hat trick in the final! (A hat trick is 3 goals by one player in one game.) These women are playing first class soccer and they're slaying. 3 STARS! 3 and the men have won......

Oh and just in case you were wondering, there are repercussions to the lack of eyeballs watching NWSL and Women's Soccer. Every male team that made it to the round of 16 in the Men's got $8M from FIFA and the winner of the men's last year got over $30M. The Women's Champions for $2M. Yup....the men just show up and get 8 and the women have to WIN to get 2. That's completely insane. 

I love women's soccer. I love how inclusive it is. I love that it holds up a beacon to the world of out gay ballers. USWNT has demonstrated that sexuality of the players doesn't affect the game negatively. Gay players aren't distractions in women's soccer, one of the main arguments used to keep gay men closeted or out of sports, they are leaders. The whole team celebrates love. 

Love and World Class Soccer!