Choice Cuts: Reflections on Covering the 2009 WPS Season
I can't believe that I am writing another article while the new American football season is in full swing, AFc Wimbledon is making the rounds in the Blue Square Premier, the Melbourne Victory is facing a stern test, and the Los Angeles Galaxy and Chelsea Football Clubs are going through their motions.
But I got a little e-mail from Todd Civin asking me to pick some of the best moments of writing during the 2009 Women's Professional Soccer season.
Huh? What? I thought this season was over and done with.
TOP NEWS
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Wait a second. This is a greatest hits piece. I see where this is going.
And so I said to Civin, "All right buddy boy, you got yourself a deal."
So, in this 160th article on Bleacher Report, here are a few excerpts from my work.
"From all over Southern California, families brought their children, their grandparents, some who have never watched a football match in their life, some who have seen matches involving the G’s, Chivas USA, the national teams, and others, all who wanted a change of pace. Black, blue, gold, and white balloons and streamers decked the concourses of the stadium. The Goodyear Blimp peered like a jovial sentinel over the low clouds floating across the South Bay skyline as if to say, 'Kilroy was here!'"
"So, I head back upstairs, wondering if there are any munchies. As I was about to go to the concessions, a guy in a suit, with escorts, brings some kettle-cooked crisps, peanuts, and cashews. I tried some of the Hint. A bit bland. No sugar or Splenda-like material. Will this sell?
And there is a product called Not A Hint. Not A Hint is water without the fruit-scented Hint: it’s just premium bottle water. I’ll take my Kirkland Signature any day, thank you very much!"
"Crowds flocked to the beaches. Staples Center saw the Lakers begin their postseason run. The Angels were still reeling from the loss of pitcher Nick Adenhart. Manny was just being Manny, donning Dodger Blue.
The Anaheim Ducks were on a suicide mission in San Jose and Long Beach was hosting the Toyota Grand Prix as part of the Indy Racing League Circuit.
And the Los Angeles Sol were returning home to take on FC Gold Pride at the Home Depot Center."
"On occasions, the No. 10 for the Sol does visit Dois Riachos to see old friends and family.
Perhaps those who questioned why she played with the boys at the age of 10 now realize that with everything she has been through, and everything she has accomplished more than a decade later, this was the right decision for Marta Vieira da Silva after all."
"In a feature for NBC, The Future Is Feminine, she owed her happiness to her father. 'Football has given me so much pleasure and fun in life, which [many] other girls won't be able to experience.'
Such are the circumstances for many young women in China.
With its government scrutinized for its poor human rights record and limitations on many privileges the free world is blessed with, many of China's women envy how far Han had come. For her, football was an outlet, a way to break the chains that bound her.
It was her proverbial ticket to freedom."
"When the press lauded the comparison, she said, 'I don't want to be compared with Beckham.'
And it's true.
Because if the chanters in Victoria Street acknowledge that there is only one David Beckham, shouldn't it also be a fact that there is only one Aya Miyama?"
"A save. Another save. A routine scoop, followed by a throw to a defender.
The sound of a kicked ball going upwards toward midfield, where a blend of players clad in orange and blue clamor to receive it.
Fifteen minutes passes. 45. 60. 90. And stoppage time.
And then the final whistle.
She walks to the center of the pitch, grabs a microphone, and acknowledges 6,000-plus supporters who came for a Friday night contest between the Los Angeles Sol and Sky Blue FC.
Such is the nature of Sol goalkeeper Karina LeBlanc, one of Canada's most celebrated players guarding the net...When you have a one-of-a-kind player like Karina LeBlanc leaving her mark, the future of women's soccer is pretty bright.
Better get your shades ready."
"A rangy defender blessed with a 6-foot frame scored the biggest goal of her young career, wearing the No. 3 on the back of her jersey.
Her name? Allison Falk.
The game of soccer is a game that does not know the definition of predictability.
But unpredictability? And unexpected? You'd better believe those two words have been in the game's lexicon since it was known in the days of antiquity as harpastum!"
"And history will be made today. This is the beginning of a new league, and a new chapter in the women's game, with the debut of Women's Professional Soccer.
Geez, I am just getting the goosebumps hearing about it—hold on, my cell phone just went off...hold on.
Bleacher Report, this is JR. What? You mean to tell me that this is NOT the WPS Inaugural Game?
What!? And that the Inaugural Game was two months ago? And that this is the second match between these two sides? Well! That's news to me. Thank you for letting me know. By the way, you're fired."
"The football forces-that-be are an interesting bunch of deities. Rumor has it that according to the forces-that-be, the plaques that head coaches like Ali Khosroshahin and Anson Dorrance have won for their teams are not waiting for Zerboni.
Maybe it's a WPS regular season trophy. Or it could be the WPS championship hardware.
Whatever it is, you can be certain that the Sol's No. 6 is on it to find out.
So grab a woodie and bring your green and white Puma ball, McCall Zerboni. Walk—don't run—and look for that wave that will take you to the Home Depot Center, where Marta and company await your arrival.
The fruits of your labor are only beginning to blossom."
"But once again, is there really anything bogus about Liz Bogus nowadays? We thought just as much."
"And now, Mr. Tony Bennett. Music please.
'I know I'd go from rags to riches
If you would only say you care...'
Okay Tony, you can go ahead and stop now...wait a minute, he's still singing?...
'My fate is up to you...'
All right, can somebody from security get Tony off the stage already? I'm announcing some rankings here. Sorry about the sound in the background, that's just Tony getting his, how can I say it G-rated...comeuppance."
You know, come to think of it, I wrote so many articles that I will leave it to you readers to read the rest. I have come to the conclusion that at the end of the day, the articles speak for themselves.
And this ride was still one of the greatest joys of my life.
My God, I think I need another beer.
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