Columbia?

A lot has transpired in the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup since our first blog installment Tuesday!  After returning home late from Vancouver we lounged around the house waiting for the Mexico/Colombia game to see our Dawgs, Veronica and Amanda Perez, represent the Tricolores! 

It was a match Mexico really needed three points from to be confident moving through their very tough group (England and France are the other two teams in Group F).  Veronica was unbelievable and scored Mexico’s first, and only thus far, goal of the tournament. 

It was historical also in that it was the Women’s World Cup’s first use of goal-line technology! Check it out!   Sadly, Mexico couldn’t hold the lead and were also the victims of subpar officiating and had a goal called back. The 1-1 draw gave them a point and hope.

Mexico’s 2nd game of group play versus England yesterday had it’s moments…my personal and extremely biased feeling is that Veronica needs to see the ball more; Mexico is as talented a team as they’ve had but they need to stick with playing TEAM soccer and moving the ball amongst players in the attack as opposed to becoming direct or playing too individually. They wore down late and lost 2-0.

This was doubly disappointing because Colombia shocked the world in the first match of the day in Group F by beating France 2-0!   Let’s see if Mexico rebounds in game 3 and puts the nail in the French coffin, mais non?  Either way, we’re so proud of Veronica and Amanda…..and so happy their family was able to make the trip to see the games live!

After a lot of SMACK talk from former U.S. coach and current Sweden coach, Pia Sundhage,  electricity was in the air for game 2  in Winnipeg.  With UW graduation and Benny G.’s 5^th grade promotion, Winnipeg wasn’t in the cards for us, so we brought Winnipeg to us by hosting a 100+ person viewing party at Husky Stadium! It was so great to see so many friends and their families.  The game was more of a “tussle” tha

Former US Teammates Amy Griffin

n a game.  Megan Klingenberg’s header off the line to preserve the U.S. a point in the 0-0 draw was about the biggest highlight.  I don’t think a lot of U.S. fans foresaw Abby Wambach and Alex Morgan as being late game substitutes in this World Cup, but there are so many factors in play with this team (age, injury, a system with only 2 forwards) that has made for two somewhat disjointed performances for the U.S.  

3 UW Alums; Terry, Erin and Sarah

For more photos of party, click here: WWC Viewing Party Photos 

Summer for the boys is ALMOST here and their LAST day of school will be spent driving to Vancouver to see the U.S. play Nigeria in their final group game. The U.S. is atop their group, so things look good. If they come first in Group D we’ll consider the trek to Edmonton (14 hour drive) to see their Round of 16 match. Otherwise we’ll be glued to Vancouver, B.C. and blogging more adventures from there.

 

Lesle, Debbie & Amy ditching our Red White and Blue for some Rave Green

Amy’s 91’ legend teammate, Debbie Belkin Rademacher, arrived from Michigan yesterday and we treated her to soccer Seattle style with a Sounders Match which ended in a 3-0 win! Great way to start the soccer trip and visit! So fun to have her here and reminisce about the good ol’ days. A phrase I love: “The older we get the better we were!”  So excited to see the Red, White and Blue take on the Super Falcons of Nigeria! Promises to be entertaining and to borrow a line from “Boys in the Boat”, here’s to hoping the U.S.A. finds their swing just in time to advance in this World Cup!

WWC 2015.

You've heard the saying, "Act like you've been there before."  Not us.  It's about the fun! ... Except the teenager to our right named Nick Griffin.  Cooless 

Okay, so a few games have already kicked off and we are just turning on the ignition to the blog for WWC 2015.  Timing of this World Cup has unfortunately left our gang still in school, at work and racing around wearing too many hats to get this party started in true World Cup fashion.
HOWEVER... the World Cup kicked off in dramatic style with a late (and I mean late) penalty kick for the host country and has rolled right along with FIFA in jail, more countries represented, 130 degree bouncing balls on synthetic turf fields,  and the usual controversy.  Yes!!!!

So... we will try to set the scene in this first blog knowing full well the anticipation, drama, gut wrenching missed opportunities, dramatic finishes, bone crushing tackles at the highest level of the worlds most popular game will crescendo as the month of soccer kicks on.

While the news of WWC2015 sounded fantastic because it was in the back yard of our neighbors to the north , Canada is, in a word, HUGE. Canada is 3.9 million square miles vs. Germany's 358,000 square miles so bouncing back and forth from venue to venue with family & friends in tow was not in the cards.

Peace Arch at the Border!  

Our gang of 6, missing a Zach and gaining a Heather,  headed out early to get to Vancouver in time to watch USA/Australia on TV & be near the stadium for the Japan / Switzerland game. (No RV yet, stay tuned) The border line at the Peace-Arch with idling cars allowed us to stretch our legs (aka sprint out of the car before it moves!)  and of course bump into old experienced soccer teammates, snap some groupies, high 5 and get pumped for the ensuing match.  Our pre-func was near the stadium where we were able to watch Nigeria come from behind to tie a Swedish team that we're hoping shows up vs. the U.S. on the 12th still depressed from giving up a 2 goal lead.

Nigeria is a team which has had quite a bit of success internationally and always gain momentum as the tournament moves on.  Without much $ for programming compared to USA, Sweden, or Australia,  Nigeria usually learns on the fly, starting a bit rusty and unorganized and becoming more synchronized with each day spent together.  Their first game showed the athleticism that makes them special, but also a much more unified team than we've seen in the past.  Oshoala and Okobi are a handful and their goalkeeper Precious, which means "Very Valuable", must treat that ball as if it were gold.  She has been between the sticks FOREVER and I still gasp every time that ball is in the air heading perilously to the goal.  It's a crap shoot whether she will go for the ones that are in her range or freeze and let mayhem ensue right before her eyes.  A crowd pleaser at times, she is sure to keep things interesting.

.... and while we are on the topic of GK's.  Wearing our Red, White and Blue seemed to communicate:  "It's open season to join our group and talk about the U.S.A."  We had complete strangers walk up to us and say some pretty forward and abrupt things about our U.S. goalkeeper. We've never felt the need to defend her as she's clearly been surrounded by controversy and been the center of some deserved and some undeserved negative attention. However, we HAVE always contended that she's the best goalkeeper in the world and that on the biggest of soccer stages she will perform and help her team. She did not disappoint yesterday versus Australia. The U.S. still has Hope.

Today we'll watch proudly as THREE of our Husky alums take center stage in group play.  Dr. Clare Rustad,  former Canadian National Team player and Olympian, will commentate on the CBC during the Colombia-Mexico game in which our Perez hermanas will don the tricolores for Mexico....perhaps the only "sister" pair in the World Cup (we'll have to look that up).

UW's Amanda Perez!

 Friday won't take us BACK to Canada as instead we'll head to Husky Stadium to host a U.S.A./Sweden viewing party with some of our best soccer friends, donors, and fans.
 Then it's back to Vancouver for U.S./Nigeria on June 16th....this time with friend, and Amy's '91 World Cup teammate, Debbie Belkin Rademacher in tow! She hasn't seen the U.S. women play live since '99 and she leaving the menfolk behind in Michigan and visiting with us for a few days and to trek north to the match! So excited to have her and it begins the parade of family and friends that we'll see this summer because of the game we love!!!!

So installment one of the 2G network is in the books, right along with U.S.A.'s first victory of this World Cup. Thanks for tuning in!

Food, Futebol, & Fun

June 22^nd     Arise in San Marino and off to the Adriatic Coast to check out the Italian Riviera. 

 Rimini is known for it’s night life. During the day, we soaked up some sun, went for a swim and checked out the town.  Team dinner at a local restaurant at about 8:00 PM.  Our bus driver insisted that a flat screen t.v. be relocated to our section of the restaurant so we could watch the Italy / Brazil Confederations Cup match.  Not quite sure that would fly in America but am glad it does here. Go Roberto!  I mentioned the night life and we assumed it would pick up and we’d get to see some of the colorful sounds the city is known for.  Increasing numbers in the streets were obvious with each passing hour, but our tired bunch departed by 11pm and supposedly Rimini doesn’t start hopping until after midnight.  It’s a good thing we left as the town flooded uncharacteristically early the next morning.  We saw some photos on the internet and couldn’t believe it was the same beach town we had spent time in the day before.

Rimini at dinner time

Kelsea Brajkovich, Lindsey Bos & Jaclyn Softli

Boys sticking together on the beach

June 23

We arrived in Venice via boat to St. Mark’s Square where we had half a day to see the immense city. 

Rose Baker and Kasha Roseta

XL Travel Guru John Dickinson & Ben Griffin

Venice; a great place to lose yourself

The Archers in the Piazza 

Many floated past the shops, the Basilica, the Prisons, Dodge’s Palace via gondola while others were curious to go deep into the city via narrow streets and throngs of people to find the perfect memento.  

Newlyweds,  according to Alfonzo the gondoliere

Surreal to see water lapping against the edge of the storefronts while boats silently cruise by the diners and shoppers and businessmen with ease.  Elena, our guide, entrusted us to meet where she dropped us off.  From the outside, it seemed so simple, meet right back where we began.

The Piazza inVenice

However, once we walked deeper into the city it was amazing how each of us just wanted to go ‘a little further’ or see what the next cobblestone street or canal lead us to.

Up to this point, each bus back to the hotel has been full of chatter; either about how that was their new favorite city, how they wanted to stay longer, or how many gelatos our trainer Chris Melton had consumed.

Let's meet back at that one bridge... you know... with the boats underneath

Slowly but surely, the mealtime seating arrangements began changing.  Early on they were predictable: roommates together,  the freshmen class… what you would expect.   Our time together is allowing our team  time to realize we do have plenty in common and at the same time appreciating and enjoying each others differences. They have learned it is  more fun than always staying in their comfort zone.   Ben and Nick are steering clear of their boring parents and finding a seat next to a Husky.  They have been watching the Huskies play since they were born, they know them by jersey number and position.  I am happy they get to hang with fantastic young women at a young age. Between the castles and pizza, the boys can only soak up so much history so they constantly ask:  “When is the next game?” 

Lesle split the team into groups that will study, take photos, and present once back on American soil.  Topics to be discussed are;  Religion, Politics, Sports and Art & Culture.  It is no coincidence that players who were grouped together have different backgrounds and opinions about their topic.  Some players originally were hesitant to fight for their point of view, others frantically scribbling on a receipt to make sure the fact they heard was not forgotten. I look forward to hearing their points of view. 

 

Another day at the office

Throughout our journey many have been  appalled that  a public restroom  can cost one Euro.  I wonder what their take will be when they return to the states and they hit the public restroom.  I hope at least one thinks, “I would pay a Euro to have a clean toilet seat, a door that latches, some t.p. and a floor that isn’t damp”   I think a spotless public restroom is worth the Euro. Then again, I am not a college student… and the age where my quads are on fire when I have to hover over the seat. 

Heading back to the hotel 

Peaks and Pics of San Marino

San Marino –

Surrounded by Italy, San Marino is a country that spreads a mere 61 square kilometers (that is about 23.5 miles) P.S. throughout my travels I am constantly annoyed by our lack of ability to go metric.  Didn’t we all learn it in 3^rd grade?  Come on already!!! San Marino is the oldest surviving Republic.  It’s 3 steep peaks and rugged slopes were a big reason it was a safe haven that folks left alone back in the day; it was just too difficult a terrain and too small a territory to fight over. 

Hotel is at the top of this peak in San Ramino

 Today, the 3 steep peaks with castles atop and the 360-degree breathtaking view make it a destination for many travelers.    Throughout it’s 1,700 year history, there have been many unique reasons San Marino has been able to keep its independence amidst all the political and powerful turmoil that Europe has faced.  Dating back from the days of the Roman empire to now, San Marino has always been a place of peace.  Abraham Lincoln became an honorary citizen during his tenure due to the fact he sent a personalized hand written note thanking San Marino for their support and congratulatory message when the 13 ^th Amendment was passed.

San Marino has 8 political parties, elects 2 presidents every 6 months. 

One of these things is not like the other.....

With 32,000 citizens there is a solid chance you will get to be president of San Marino at some point.  Would you like to become a citizen?

On guard

 If so, you need to reside in San Marino for 40 years or marry a citizen and stay married for a minimum of 15 years.

Lorengo government building

Atop the Prima Torre Castle

After crunching the numbers, Brendan and Jack decided they should begin their residency now as their window of opportunity was closing to make an Olympic Team. 

Jack & Brendan in preparation for the San Marino tryouts

Jack was thinking he would try his hand at the luge and Brendan was hoping for representing San Marino in World Cup qualifications.  

San Marino is known for perfume, lotions and stamps; but our team will remember the castles, Karaoke and their first attempt (meaning there will be more this Fall) at a Dutch Auction.  Teams of 5 are asked to perform impromptu which the staff gives points to.  Skits that earn the highest bid end up winning the Auction.  Highlights were Jammer’s impersonation of our bus driver and the team’s take on our pre-game meetings.

Huskies replicate our daily bus ride

Hillary's goal in the Final Four

One skit:, “A sports broadcast after the Huskies play a match in the College Cup.”  I am embarrassed to say that one member of our team asked, “Wait! Do we win or lose the game?" Hence, one of the main reasons we are loving this trip away from the daily grind.  It is clear our team knows how to work, compete and succeed when a specific task is set before them.  But, in the pandemonium of life we forget how healing it is to take a breath, slow down and yes, even dream.  Winning the College Cup needs to be so clear in all of our heads, we can feel the excitement, see WASHINGTON painted on the field and know we have it within our reach; it begins with a dream that we meld into a goal; together. 

Ready! Aim! Fire!

Sunset sisters 

Pisa, Piazza and Pizza

Thursday, June 20-

After breakfast Roberto escorted us to Pisa.  The second you set your eyes on The Leaning Tower, you cannot help but immediately snap a picture for fear it will tip over before you get the perfect photo. 

Lindsay Elston

Try as one might to not be “That Tourist” it is impossible to not get your photo next to it; positioning your hand perfectly so it seems you are holding it up or pushing it over. It appears as if it is super-imposed or stuck onto a backdrop with a special projector.  Once you get over the fact you are standing next to something you have seen in dozens of movies and even more photos; you get a closer look. The pillars, the archways, even the stairs and windowsills turn into ornate tapestries.  Every section turns into it’s own story and is as elaborate as the Christmas ornament that only shows up on the grown up Christmas tree. This is not just Pisa, but every part of the infrastructure of every city we have visited.

In an era where we do not want to waste any time, it makes me stop and think what an extravagant project it must have been to design and construct these buildings. Today, we DVR our TV shows so we don’t have to watch a 15 second commercial, make sure we get our coffee “to go” and cuss at our computer when things don’t download fast enough. 

What would these cities have looked like if speed and cost effectiveness was the primary goal? There would be no doorways depicting Eden etched in bronze or statues of taught muscles of war heroes atop horses lathered from a journey that took place 500 years ago. 

Duomo inside the Piazza dei Maracoli

And the teamwork it must have taken?  Between hauling materials, designing plans that have never been attempted, sculpting statues and disseminating information from architects to laborers.  It could not have been easy.  Some buildings took generations to construct meaning many did not get to see the fruits of their labor.  For these buildings to be so beautiful and still standing everyone had to do their part no matter how big or small. This is what I want for the Huskies: to play a beautiful brand of soccer: together, building from the same plan in order to be the last ones standing at the end of the season, and leave a special legacy to the players and teams that come after them.   

So, the pizza near Pisa in the Piazza was splendid. My assumption that it would tower over the entire Piazza dei Maracoli (Square of Miracles) was wrong as each building in the square was just as magnificent.  The Piazza took form in 1064 and also includes  the Duomo the Baptistry and the Monumental Cemetery.   Fantastico!

Kelsea Brajkovich & Allie Beahan enjoying the view

After our daily gelato and many photos, we headed to the Cinque Terre region in Porto Venere, a beautiful town on the Adriatic Sea known for its sweet white wine, breathtaking views, medieval castle and the best pesto ever!  Seriously!  Who craves Pesto?!!  I didn’t … until today.       

Yes, we are cramming in another place of interest. I am hoping you are getting a good idea as to why it difficult to catch up to the day’s events.  Our driver, who can maneuver our bus as if he were driving a Ferrari, swooped us up and drove us to Sarzana to have a 5:00pm pre-game meal in the local clubhouse that was sweltering. A mere 3.5 hours later we hit the pitch to play against Arenzano Calcio Femminile.

The team was dehydrated from the heat and had been on their feet all day.

Hillary Zevenbergen heads one toward goal while Kate Bennett readies herself for the rebound. 

Gelato was still settling in their tummies after the sauna dinner. This wasn’t the best pre-game preparation for the Dawgs, but these things are much easier to overcome when realizing you are about to play a strong Italian team in Italy.  After re-living much of our history class, it was time to make some history of our own.

The thing that stuck out more than anything to me since we landed occurred about an hour before the game.  For the past few days, our gang had been meandering around, taking notes, packing, changing, in a 23-player amoeba of questions and uncertainties.  I couldn’t put my finger on it, but our team seemed more aloof than usual when all of a sudden our pre-game began. The team snapped into an assertive, confident group of ONE.  Ah ha! The Dawgs are at home on game day! 

Jaclyn Softli and Hillary Z 

Through the warm-up until the end of the game it was the most relaxing time since we landed in Italy.  Everyone knows their role the expectation and the work that is involved on game day. Everyone loves being together on the soccer field.  Really? This is considered a workday?

It took awhile to crack the Italians, but once the cork was off, it was clear the team in purple would dominate the remainder of the game.  No need to recap as it can be found on www.gohuskies.com

Seems as if Carlos made an appearance after every goal 4-1. Yes!

As hot and sweaty as we’ve ever been we boarded the bus and headed back to Montecatini  Terme which is where we began and were in bed a little after midnight.  It was both physically and literally one of the longest days ever; and usually when you hear that it sounds as if it drug on, but in this case it meant that we could not have crammed one more thing in without it being completely insane.