Brandi's Blog

“Respect Your Teammates, Your Opponents, And The Game!“

This is a BIG weekend for many soccer players around the country. The first and second rounds of the NCAA playoffs have begun. I love playing soccer, whether it be at training, with friends in the park,or a pick up game with my older son Cam and his buddies. However, there is great emotion and intensity when the playoffs come around. Wearing your school’s uniform, representing the student body and vying for a national championship is special. I’ve never raised that awesome prize, but going into the end stages of the tournament was a privilege. The toughest thing about the playoffs is that only one team really celebrates a victory. The culture in the USA provides a false impression that only the winners of the championship can enjoy the moment. I don’t believe that, however. I won a silver medal at the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games, and enjoyed every minute of it. Norway ended up with more goals than we did, but we fought right up until the final second. We tied the game, then sent it into OT. Only an awkward play that resulted in them scoring the next goal, determined the results of the game. Watching Tiffeny Millbrett rise above players that were easily 6-8” taller than her to score the tying goal was as if we had won the gold medal. There are so many things in life that are celebrated if you are considered the outright winner. I know that playing your hardest, as we did in Sydney, deserved a celebration, even though we didn’t win the gold medal.
Tears were shed and hearts were broken, for sure, but I wouldn’t trade that experience. Respecting the game, our opponent and our teammates was paramount and evident to all of us.
Peace,
Brandi

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