Portrait of Passion

Back in Goal!

2008-01-18T03:48:00.000-08:00

As the US Women prepare for their second game of the Four Nations Tournament, meeting Finland in the next few hours, Hope Solo took a few minutes to share her thoughts about being back in the goal.

Well it's been a long 3 1/2 months since I've stepped inside the goal mouth, at least in an actual game. A lot can change in that time. September I was at my peak, playing some of my best soccer. Now after a long needed break for many of us, we are starting over, starting from scratch, trying to get ourselves back in shape, and mentally trying to get our competitive spirit back.

The intensity leading up to the game wasn't quite the same, but I was still nervous about how I'd respond, but the moment I set foot on that field, the reasons why I play came rushing back. It felt good to be back out there. It was fun, which is why we are out there, to play and have fun?

Organizing the back line, coming out for crosses in crowds of people, and doing everything to keep the ball out of the back of the net was a challenge, and I’ve always welcomed challenges. That’s what makes sport so enjoyable. We had smiles on our faces, and we played relaxed. We enjoyed ourselves. We connected from the backline to the midfield up to the forwards. It was soccer with all 11 players on the field being apart of every play.

Of course there are things that could have been a little sharper. Our passing is still a little rusty after our long break, but those things will come. It's nothing to stress over. It's the ideas that we can be proud of. This is a new system of play for us, so we didn’t do things perfectly, but it's nice to see us thinking of new ways to attack, it's nice to see us being confidant in playing out of the back, making small passes in the midfield, and taking chances. It's just nice to see us play as a team.

It couldn't have been a more fitting first game in 2008 under our new leader Pia. Not only did we want the victory for our own selves and for our country, but for our coach as well. It looks as though she's already got 20 followers behind her! It’s just a few short months until qualifying, but I am certain we are all committed to being the best team we can be.

A Great Start to '08!

2008-01-17T06:26:00.000-08:00

The Four Nations Tournaments marks the start of a new season and the US Team exploded in the 2nd half of their initial game of the year against Canada.

Leslie Osborne has sent us some of her thoughts from the first week in China!

Ni-Hao! Greetings from China!! We have now been here in China for 8 days! The trip has been great so far, we are enjoying ourselves here!

With several new members on the team, we are really enjoying getting to know each other!

There was a big teammates game a couple nights ago called "Fact or Fiction." I created this game a couple years ago and it's a great way for our team to get know each other and find out more about each other. It was a great night; Hayo (Heather O’Reilly) stepped up to win the game answering questions about Angie Woznuk.

Everyone likes to enjoy there free time differently. Whether it's playing with Rylie, studying, reading, watching DVD's, doing yoga, surfing the net or getting treatment, China has been great.

Yesterday was game day and it felt great to have a game. The weather here in China has been different each day. We were excited to wear our new long sleeve jerseys and they def. came in handy since it was cool and crisp! Beating Canada was great but how we played yesterday, as a unit was even better. We stay composed and kept attacking the whole game; the 2nd half was great because we finished a lot of our chances.

It was a great day for our team and Pia our new coach. It's a great way to start off the new year and we will look to get better every day.

The tournament games are being played every other day, which makes it very important for us to stay healthy, rested and sharp. Our next game is tomorrow against Finland, who just lost to China 2-0. We are looking forward to our game and are preparing now! Wish us luck! GO USA!

Be sure to check out Leslie's website osbornesoccer.com

New Minds, New Coaches and New Teammates -

2008-01-13T06:19:00.000-08:00

Although I am in Northern Minnesota, with blue skies, bald eagles and Nordic skiers, the Women's National Team is preparing for their first competition of 2008. Defender Cat Whitehill has sent us some thought about how it feels to be back in China.

Wow, I can’t believe I am back in china already. It has been four months now since the World Cup, but it really feels like it was yesterday. When I look around Guangzhou, I definitely think about what happened last September. I don’t know if I will ever be able to forget the 2007 world cup. It was quite an up and down tournament that thankfully ended with our team making its best performance.

Just being surrounded by the Chinese culture makes me think of the dreadful Brazil game yet remember our team feeling a huge sense of relief once we beat one of our biggest rivalries, Norway, 4-1.

Sitting here on my computer writing these thoughts makes me realize how much I want to get back on the pitch and play again. I just want at least one more shot at giving this team a chance to stand on the right podium. I will never forget when I was blasting our national anthem when we won the gold medal (beating Brazil nonetheless), and standing at the very top and I know that we are all aiming towards that same goal. It is good to be back. It is good to know that the Olympics are so close to the World Cup so we are easily reminded of what happened.

Being here with the team, anyone can feel the renewal that is going on in all of us. New minds, new coaches, and new teammates are just the beginning. I believe you will see a new US team out there and I am excited to see the final product.

We are here as a tune up for the Olympics so there is definitely going to be some rust, but we are going to work out the kinks and be ready for qualifying this April and hopefully the Olympics this summer.

We are all so excited, we want the rest of America to have this same sense of renewal and cheer our great country to victories. I guess I get carried away with the Olympic talk, but the Olympics is one of the greatest times for the country to come together and put away all differences and focus on a single goal. I am grateful to have experienced that thrill and looking forward to having it again this August.

The four nations tournament is just the beginning and none of you will see it on TV, but I know we are working really hard so we can represent the United States as best we can! Check back here for updates!

Back to China

2008-01-09T03:56:00.000-08:00

Although most of the roster for the Four Nations Tournament spent last September in China at the FIFA Women's World Cup, there are six young players here for the first time. After a short, but intense camp at the Home Depot Center just south of LA, the Women's National Team heads to their first series of games under new coach Pia Sundhage.

As they get ready to board the plane, forward Heather O'Reilly sent us the following:

After a brief weight training session today with Helena, our new fitness trainer, we had the rest of the day off to take care of some last minute pre-China errands. For some people this meant buying snacks for the trip, running over to Barnes and Noble for some new reading material, or just getting in touch with friends or family before the 2 week trip. Everyone is on their own, taking care of what they need to do!

But we regroup just in time to make it over to the airport for our red-eye flight to Guangzhou. This trip over shouldn't be too bad because it coincides with our sleep schedule. We will be able to sleep on the flight, and when we get in, it is 6:00 am in China. The sooner we can acclimate the better, and the less cranky people are!

We are looking forward to our first trip of 2008, and having our first matches with our new coaching staff.

The girls' first game is one week from today, needless to say, we will all be watching!

Just a bit sore -

2008-01-07T15:38:00.000-08:00

Lindsay Tarpley gives us today's update from the Home Depot Center in Carson, CA.

Well, camp is in full force. Usually it is sunny everyday here in LA, but the last few days have been cold and rainy. We have been training twice a day and we started lifting as well. You can imagine that we all are a bit sore.

Yesterday, our general manger made an announcement on the bus that our second session was cancelled and the team went silent.

Since we have a new coach we are still trying to get a feel for things so we didn’t know how we should respond to the news. We all saw our new coach look back at us; and then the entire bus erupted into cheers.

Today we have an inter-squad scrimmage and tomorrow we leave for the Four Nations Tournament in Foshan, China. We open the tournament against Canada on January 16th , followed by Finland on January 18th and finally China on January 20th.

It has been nice being in camp again and catching up with everyone after the break. We are enjoying our new coach and we are learning a lot. This year is very important for us and we are all looking forward to working hard and being the best that we can be.

Be sure to check out Lindsay's website at www.lindsaytarpley.com

California Gloom

2008-01-05T20:35:00.000-08:00

Lori Chalupny reports on day 2 of training camp!

Well, unfortunately we woke up to another gloomy weather day here in California but we didn’t let that get us down. The team is all smiles in this New Year as we continue our preparations for the 2008 Olympics. Its been really fun getting to know our new coaching staff. As with any new coach there are new philosophies, new drills, and the opportunity show what you can do. Today was a pretty typical day in the life of a US National Team member. We had breakfast, a training session and lunch followed by a little rest, another training session and dinner. In the training session this morning we focused on all aspects of defending. We did some 1v1s to work on individual defending, 2v2s to incorporate more of the team and 5v5 to focus on team defending and shape. It was a fairly demanding session but I think we really got some things accomplished and we each got better as players.

Between sessions there was time for some relaxation and some football watching where it became clear that this is a very competitive group. We have some die-hard Seahawks and Redskins fans on the team so it was fun giving them a hard time. The afternoon session was pretty light. We did some skill and technique drills and had a lot of fun competing with each other. A couple of us ended the day with an ice bath in order to help us recover for tomorrow when we get to do it all over again. Indeed it’s a good life!

Be sure to check out Lori's website at www.lorichalupny.com

Ready for a New Year!

2008-01-04T16:59:00.000-08:00

As the Women’s National Team opens their 2008 drive to the Beijing Olympics, Leslie Osborne checks in from the first day of practice at the Home Depot Center in Carson, California.

Leslie writes:

Well it's 2008 and we are more than excited to start off the new year. We have had a good amount of time to rest and recover after an exciting yet interesting year in 2007. Having a mini camp in December gave us a great opportunity to meet our new coach Pia. Yesterday was our first day together, we will be having a short yet intense mini camp until January 9th (when we leave for China). Hopefully the weather continues to hold up, we hear that there are flood alerts in LA for a couple days.

We opened up camp yesterday with a good long technical practice after flying across the country. There is a variety of players in camp, from college to players playing overseas. This morning we had a tough practice that involved the yo yo fitness test. We are looking forward for a great 5 days together...

Be sure to check out Leslie’s new website at www.osbornesoccer.com

If it's Good for Soccer -

2007-11-12T07:37:00.000-08:00

The largest soccer crowd in Minnesota in more than 25 years came to the Dome last night to see the inaugural Copa Minnesota, featuring the Minnesota Thunder vs. the LA Galaxy. The LA Galaxy and DAVID BECKHAM!

For many, I am sure it was the chance to see Beckham and oh yes, there were other guys on the field as well. It was no doubt the rock-star power that brought them in, but for most the excitement for the game is real. It was a chance for some of the more than 70,000 kids in Minnesota who play soccer to see the most recognized player in their sport.

As I looked out to the crowd, it was a that appeared that each adult needed to be accompanied by a child, or even better yet, by two and that each child needed to wear their team jersey.

There were boys’ teams, who were out-numbered by the girls’ teams and hundreds from Bangu Tsunami team from St. Paul.

Beckham did not disappoint anyone in the crowd. He played 75 minutes, he signed autographs after the game and even gave his jersey to young girl in the crowd.

Compared to what I have been accustomed to shooting at the World Cup, the game wasn’t particularly physical, but after all, it is an exhibition game. Beckham moved around the field effortlessly. When he did get a touch on the ball, his accuracy was amazing. His passing was precisely positioned to another player. His corner kicks were waiting to be capitalized. There is a reason he takes the corner kicks and the free kicks, and it is not his celebrity status.

In the end, it was a night to celebrate soccer. It was a night for the kids to see their hero.

My World Cup blog and our Portrait of Passion website is all about women’s soccer. If it is good for soccer, it is good for women’s soccer.

Ryan Shay 1979 – 2007

2007-11-04T07:45:00.000-08:00

There are people that I know and then there are people that I only get to know through my photos. I have lost track of the number of games and events that I have shot over the last year, let alone the last five years. I often review so many shots of a single athlete, that I get the feeling that I know them.

Ryan Shay was such an athlete. During the 2006 Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon, I had my usual position, sitting backwards on the back of the lead motorcycle. It was a spectacular fall day, Ryan had a strong start to his race and as the pace pushed a bit and others fell away, Ryan was in the top three runners. Shoulder to shoulder for 5 miles, changing position from time to time, but together stride for stride. In every shot, Ryan was strong, proud, graceful, with a passion for being there. Neither the pace nor the competition had an impact. He was ultimately third on the day, with a great race.

For 2007 Ryan, like many others were running the Medtronic TC 10 mile as a tune up for yesterday’s Olympic Trials in New York. At the pre-race press conference I introduced myself to Ryan. It is always my pleasure to have an opportunity to meet the athletes.

I shot the start of the 2007 Medtronic TC 10 mile and then my son / Competitive Image partner, Jonathan took up Moto responsibilities. Ryan ran with grace and passion.

I was shocked and saddened to hear of Ryan’s collapse and death at the Olympic Trials. My thoughts and prayers are with Ryan’s family. It was truly my pleasure to have met Ryan.

Back at Home and Back to the Airport

2007-10-13T10:37:00.000-07:00

I have been back home for a little more than week and at this point I pretty much have my back on the ground. Well right now, I am on the ground in St. Louis for the Women’s Game vs. Mexico this weekend. It seems like my travels are continuing but having a 90-minute flight to St. Louis is much easier than any of my travels in China.

I arrived in time for the Friday morning practice at the Edward Jones Dome. The girls seemed relaxed and happy to be back together. Upon returning from China, the girls headed back home to take some time off and relax and recover from the intensity of the games and the difficulty of the travel.

For me it is a great feeling to be back on the field and shooting seeing the team working out and visiting with some of them at the hotel.

After a late lunch with Gayle from Fair Game Magazine and getting checked into the hotel. I headed out with Lori Chalupny, Lindsay Tarpley, Nicole Barnhart and Natasha Kai. Actually, I was following them in my car, as Barb, Lori’s mom was driving. This trip did not quite have the urgency of following the bus in Shanghai, it was never the less an adventure.

As you would expect, since Lori is from St. Louis, she wanted to show off a few things to her friends. First stop was the new condo she would be moving into, which unfortunately was closed. Then on to her sister Casey’s soccer practice.

Arriving early, we got to one of the highlights of the day – Lori’s dog Echo. A black Lab mix that is about a year and a half old.

There were some introductions, a pep talk about soccer and well, you have heard of playing one on one, and four on four, well they decided to play 13 on 4! Lori, Lindsay, Barney and Tasha against the rest. Actually it was a pretty close game.

We ended the day with a group photo and some questions and finally another car chase back downtown.

The game is tonight with about 10,000 expected to be there. Indeed the games are the best part of my job!

Ending on a High Note

2007-09-30T15:17:00.000-07:00

The 2007 FIFA Women’s World Cup Soccer Tournament is now in the record books and although it did not have the ending that I had hope for, it was a great run. Tonight’s final double-header was a sell-out. All of the players in the final four teams deserved a sell out and both games were great! Well played and fun to watch. This was what the final games of a World Cup should be.

Ally Wagner, seeing her first game time, started in the mid-field and had a great game.

Abby scored twice giving her 6 goals for the tournament, second only to Marta with 7 goals and earning her the Silver Shoe Award.

The 2007 US Women’s National Team, with a 4-1 victory over Norway earned third place in the tournament.

The German Women, with their amazing defense are again the World Champions!!

My final World Cup activity for 2007 was at the Westin Hotel where I was invited to the final and family dinner. It was a great ending, with great friends and was all of us needed for our good byes.

There are many more stories from this month than I have written, there are stories from the games and from the off field adventures. In the coming days I will include a few more in my blog as I edit photos and try to decompress.

The important stories are the girls’ stories, which will be shared with you in our upcoming book Portrait of Passion, scheduled for release on November 23, 2007. Check out www.portraitofpassion.com .

It’s time to leave China; head back to Minneapolis and get to work!

Point of View

2007-09-30T08:08:00.000-07:00

On my last full day in Shanghai, at the insistence of my friend Adam I went to see a tailor for a new sport coat. He was fast and efficient, to the point of walking me to the ATM so I wouldn’t get lost and not return. Under $300, I thought the price was good, but not fabulous. Oh wait, that was for three cashmere jackets! I will be stylin’ when I get home.

Outside of the garment building the economic contrast of Shanghai was clear looking from both sides of the same street. The following images were shot from exactly the same spot.

Looking north, you can see both the local street vendors as well as the construction of one of the world’s tallest buildings.

At the SMC, our workday begins at 1:30, getting set up and standing in line for our positions on the sidelines. Since today is a double-header, the number of journalists have increased, but is the still vibrant atmosphere tempered by almost a month of travel and an eagerness to get back home.

The Great Aunts

2007-09-29T19:38:00.000-07:00

Over the years, I have come to know many kinds of families. Some single parents, some with two moms and some with two dads.

Today at Rylie Rampone’s 2nd Birthday Party, there was Mom – Christie, Dad – Chris, and 20 Great Aunts. Perhaps I should say 20 Greatest Aunts. It was a celebration worthy of any World Cup!

Substantially all of the team were there, as were most of the family members and Rylie who was a bit weary at the beginning was a fabulous host!

For most, the thought of a tired two year old in room filled with adults can be scary, but they don’t know Rylie. Nor do they know her aunts! Aunt Abby and Aunt Tasha are among the greatest, but certainly all are family!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY RYLIE!

Controversy

2007-09-29T16:28:00.000-07:00

At any major event, with any major team, there is controversy. Certainly the 2007 World Cup is no exception. Both Coach Ryan’s decision to start Brianna Scurry in goal, as well as Hope Solo’s post game comments, were at the top of the list for today’s press briefing.

I expect the journalists here to be embroiled in every detail, but Sal Ruibal from USA said that since the Brazil game, the web activity around this issue had out passed both the NFL and MLB. At least women’s soccer is attracting attention.

While Greg Ryan answered all of the questions exactly as you would have anticipated by any high-level coach; Kristine Lilly and Abby Wambach were the class act.

Hope will not be playing in the last game against Norway, nor will she be on the bench with the team. For Greg Ryan it was a coaching issue, for Kristine and Abby it was a personal issue and for all it was a significant distraction from the task at hand.

I have no doubt there will be growth as a result of the Brazil game, growth in the individual play, growth in the coaching, and growth in the individual players as well . Unfortunately as with the rest of us, it is these difficult times that define and shape us as person. It is not just the event, but we each respond to the adversity and move forward, no matter which side of the issue we are on.

The Day After the Night Before

2007-09-28T15:35:00.000-07:00

Sometimes it seems like a traveling circus. As the photographers and journals gathered in the lobby of the Hangzhou Sunny Hotel to check out this morning, there was no question that we all needed more sleep, but would have settled for more coffee. The magnitude of equipment and luggage for a relatively limited number of people was truly amazing. The shooters from AP had called a van. Colleen Ross of the CBC Radio and Jim Stevenson of Voice of America and I decided to share a cab. It was a good thing that the train was only a mile from the hotel, given that all three of us were in the back seat and luggage was everywhere else. In spite of sounding like a Super 8, the Sunny Hotel was really great four-star hotel.

Unlike the Shanghai South Station that resembles any modern airport, the Hangzhou station was more like a study in the Zen of fluid dynamics. You become one with the crowd and then try to break free at the area for your train.

Once again the train left right on time. I found out that I was in a first class car. I am not sure what that got me, but the additional cost was only $1.33. At 180 km/hour I could still take in the rural landscape, but even with the distance from either city there was smog along the entire route.

We all parted company at the Shanghai station and I set off on another adventure in taxi riding. After about 20 minutes, my driver stopped at a high-rise building, which was still under construction, turned to me and smiled. With some creative translation and showing my FIFA credentials, I was able to convey that I was near Hong Kou Stadium. Getting from the station to my hotel, not only took longer, it was also more expensive than the train.

Immediately upon returning to my hotel, I headed to Starbucks whose proximity defines the primary benefit of where I am staying.

Mid-afternoon, there was another taxi adventure. I can finally articulate how closely the drivers get to each other; when the side mirrors touch, it’s close enough. Consistent with the day, my driver bumped a woman on a bicycle. This was not a surprise to me, nor do I think it was to her; it has to happen all the time. I am just amazed there isn’t more blood on the street.

Arriving at the Team hotel, I first saw Brianna Scurry. While she was doing ok, her emotions were pretty close to the surface, we talked for a few minutes hugged and parted.

In the lobby others were gathered to meet family members. Cat Whitehill (Reddick) and her sister and parents. Ally Wagner, her mother and finally I got to get a photo with Ally and her husband Adam Eyre who I knew from his days of playing for the Minnesota Thunder.

Julie Foudy stopped by after the Press Conference with Greg Ryan.
With nothing else on tap, I walked over to the Yu Gardens to get some more scenic shots and do a bit of shopping. The first store I went in, I saw Nicole Barnhart and Marci Jobson. Then back on the street, I met Marian Dalmy and her father Adam, who were in search of a Starbucks. Needless to say, I joined them.

Marian had her first game time last night and had an opportunity to get up close and personal with the ball.

A Long Night in Hangzhou

2007-09-27T10:17:00.001-07:00

Breakfast in Shanghai, bullet train to Hangzhou, hot, humid, nice hotel. Indeed it’s much easier to write about the niceties of international travel when your team has won. But tonight was just a long night in Hangzhou.

The US who had been accused of starting slow, had their first shot off within 19 seconds. The first 15 minutes of the game were the best soccer that I have seen in the tournament. Strong, aggressive and balanced, it was great! But, the team seemed to lack that click they had during the England game. The unspoken knowledge of where the other players were. Having an own goal was hard, but that wasn’t it. There was just something missing that would have made them perform as cohesive unit.

The game had some truly amazing play. Jaime Motta from ESPN just stopped by my work area and commented that at times he thought he was watching the men. There was a play that led to the final goal in the 79th minute that was set up right in front of me. I was near the top of the box, shooting with my long lens. While I would normally grab my other camera, I couldn’t take my eyes of the play.

Tina Ellertson was on Marta, Marta was facing me, she gave the ball a little tap in the air, a second tap in the air, flicked the ball behind her, turned around Tina and shot! My mouth was open, most amazing ball handling I have ever seen and literally within reach. It reminded me of the ease that Tiger Woods bounces a ball on the face of an iron. It was like watching inner-city basketball, skills that have been honed on the street and in the dirt, not in a youth soccer league. Playing soccer not because it was a sport or recreation, but because it was a way to change your life. Indeed, just like watching the men.

I am sure there will be controversy over the Coach’s decision to start Brianna Scurry in goal, but that cannot take away from the skills of the Brazilian players. Just great ball handling. I am sure there will be controversy over the officiating, lots of yellow cards flashed in a game that was nearly as brutal as North Korea or Nigeria. However, there will not be any controversy over the intensity of any of the players, nor the passion with which they play.

Tonight, my thoughts are with the team, many of whom I have gotten to know over the last three weeks.

A Round Heaven and a Square Earth

2007-09-26T20:30:00.000-07:00

After my normal routine of 2 hours of phone calls home and responding to e-mail, on the strong recommendation of my friend Amy Xu, who refers to Shanghai as her home town, I went to the Shanghai Museum.

Artifacts from 5,000 years of Chinese history are housed in a building completed in 1995 with a design that symbolizes A Round Heaven and A Square Earth. The buildings surrounding the museum give no sense of the historical nature of its displays. This area of Shanghai is new, spotless and futuristic and belies the contrast that you normally see in any short walk around the city.

As I walked into the first gallery, it was a collection of Grand Masters on tour from the Prado in Spain. Fabulous, but not what I had come here to see. The other galleries contained artifacts, from currency, to pottery, to sculpture and of course lots of jade. It is amazing how you can sense the development of a country’s sophistication by the development of their coins.

Leaving the museum, I had planned to go back to the Yu Gardens, but was approached by a young woman. My initial reaction was she was selling something, since Americans and Europeans are easy targets to identify. As it turned out, she and two of her friends had traveled 15 hours by train from Xi’an on holiday for their first visit to Shanghai. They just wanted to practice their English and talk. We walked to the People’s Park and then went to a Tea House for something to drink. Although we all stumbled over pronunciation, it was a delightful culturally enhancing afternoon.

Ah Choo! Is Not a Chinese Word

2007-09-25T06:32:00.001-07:00

I am well into my third week of the World Cup and have been on 7 different airplanes, 10,000 plus miles, countless taxis, 5 hotels, 6 games, over 10,000 images shot and finally, one common head cold.

In the interest of health, my health and the teams’ health, I decided not to go to the practice field this morning, or to the Presser (as the media sessions have come to be known) in the afternoon.

I have spent the day catching up on normal office stuff, e-mail, filing images and making what has become the standard early morning and will be evening phone calls, since I am 13 hours ahead of colleagues who are also working on our Portrait of Passion project.

Being a bit under the weather, I miss the comforts of home. Sitting in my big chair watching movies, stocking up on OJ, getting out for a quick Starbucks and hanging out with my dogs.

Oh wait! Starbucks is across the street. When I walked in this morning the barista remembered my drink. Not only that but he told me that my American friend, who I had met there yesterday, was also there reading the paper.

A bit later I ventured out again in search of the local equivalent of Walgreen’s to pick up a few supplies. I found the pharmacy, why was I not surprised to find as many roots, mushrooms and other dried plants, as bottled over the counter capsules and other remedies. I managed to restock my ibuprofen supply but nothing else.

The pharmacy is one thing, but the Personal Store is another. If combined you would have Walgreen’s. Well Walgreen’s with mushrooms. Extra Kleenex, nail clippers and of course, some chocolate.

One more stop for orange juice and bottled water and I am set.

Back to the room to relax and watch some DVD’s that I picked up yesterday. Very interesting, movies just released in the US a couple of weeks ago, already available in DVD here, with Chinese sub-titles and only $1.33 each. Pretty amazing indeed.

Life here is pretty good, but I do miss the comforts of home and I certainly miss my dogs.

The team is traveling to Hangzhou tomorrow, so it will be another work and recovery day for me. Several of us are taking the bullet train down on Thursday morning – 200 km / hour. That will be another adventure.

At the risk of having a day without a photo, it is a clear night in Shanghai so here is the view from my hotel, with a view of the Oriental Pearl TV Tower in the background.

Follow That Bus!

2007-09-24T21:18:00.001-07:00

I have access to the players, beyond even what I had hoped for. I have gotten to know them as individuals, been able to meet some of their families and have had the opportunity to see how they interact. It has truly been an honor to be here with them. Having said that my work and travels are independent of the team.

Cat Whitehill let me know about the planned shopping trip this afternoon; the girls were taking the team bus to shop for pearls and purses. Yes, more pearls. Actually, it was different pearls and different girls. It seemed liked a simple plan, I arrived at the team hotel on schedule. I would get a taxi to follow the team bus. Not wanting to take the chance with Shanghai traffic, I thought it would be easy enough, with the help of the bellman, for my driver to find out where the team driver was going and meet them. But sometimes simple is not quite so simple.

My driver, who’s English vocabulary was limited to ‘OK’ got out to talk to the team driver. An argument ensued. My driver got back in the taxi and shrugged his shoulders. We drove about another two blocks, my driver rushed out of the car – another argument.

With little hope of cooperation, we followed the bus! Perhaps we were chasing the bus. In spite of Shanghai local and freeway traffic, we were never more than two car-lengths behind the bus. There was never a spot big enough for another car to get in between the taxi and the bus. Twenty-five minutes later, breathing hard, and my eyes wide open we arrived, right behind the bus. In an uncustomary manner, I tipped my driver, thanked him and went in with the girls.

Later Mark Pharris, the team security officer, told me that he was trying to convey to their driver that I was supposed to be following them and that he shouldn’t be concerned. Not wanting to put me through that again, Mark asked if I wanted to join them on the bus for the return trip. Thank you Mark!

Shopping was, well it was shopping. What do these girls as World-Class athletes do when the go shopping do? Well it’s purses, pearls, bargaining, bargains and smiles.

Back at the hotel, I wandered up to the second floor, which has been the primary afternoon play area for Rylie Rampone, arguably the cutest most photogenic non-member of the US team. Today was no exception with more smile from Rylie and Christie.

One More Flight – One More Week

2007-09-23T19:34:00.000-07:00

One more travel day from Tianjin back to Shanghai basically for the duration of the tournament. Although Thursday night’s game will be played in Hangzhou, the team will be living and training in Shanghai with a day trip to Hangzhou. Along with several of the other photographers and journalists, I will take the train to Hangzhou for the game and then stay there for just one night.

Once I arrive home, I am sure that it will take me several weeks to fully process and appreciate my experience in China. The trip and the experience have been moving like a speeding freight train and I have been doing my best to catch up and hang on!

Shooting the photos for our book project - Portrait of Passion has been going extremely well. As important as the game photos are the off-the-field shots and the girls have been enthusiastically supportive.

Our book, which is being written by Gail Stewart is for 11 to 14 year-old girls and will focus on the lives of several of the Team members. In the short time that I have been here, I know there are some great stories to tell; stories that will bring to life the personalities of these truly wonderful women.

The website www.portraitofpassion.com has launched with many more photos than are included in my blog as well as more information.

This morning I packed, checked out and although the hotel personnel kept asking me, “Airport?” I headed for the Sheraton where the team was staying. The girls had an early practice, lunch and then were planning to head out at 2:00. In the meantime there was some relaxation and not so serious Mahjong (an ancient Chinese game, which I remember as curiously being played by my Russian grandmother and her friends). Standing a few yards from the girls was the equally curious Chinese hotel staff, watching them play.

I arrived at the airport before the girls and near the gate, notice an interesting group of what appeared to be rather weary Americans. The blond hair and the University of Illinois t-shirts seemed to be a give away, but I have been fooled before by a group of Swedish journalists.

As it turns out it was Natalie, Leslies Osborne’s childhood friend and former roommate. Due to travel delays they had arrived at the game last night, just in time for the final whistle. There were hugs, signs, tears, more hugs and presents for Lindsay Tarpley, who turned 24 yesterday!

Another adventure in air travel via Air China, but I was thrilled to get the last seat on the plane. Traveling with the ESPN guys always makes me feel as if I am traveling light. Jaime Motta, who packed his broadcast suit and tie, left the plane with the waiting paparazzi on the tarmac (that would be me).

The girls’ luggage arrived as the first shipment with the bulk of the Team’s training gear coming in at 1:30 AM via airfreight.

On to Hangzhou!

2007-09-22T20:09:00.000-07:00

The new Olympic Stadium in Tianjin is truly a spectacular structure seating 58,000. Driving in I got the impression that all of the security was just a dress rehearsal for next year’s Olympics. I arrived with enough time to walk around and admire the building.

Arriving at the SMC (Stadium Media Center) is getting to be a bit like walking into the office, just in a different city. Mike, Nick and Jaime from ESPN, Raj and Zhaubin from Sports News TV, Ronald from Getty and Sal from USA Today. There are brief greetings for those who had been down in Wuhan or Hangzhou for the last few days, everyone sat down started to work.

There was a new crew on the scene. Julie Foudy and the other ESPN broadcast team had just arrived from Connecticut to broadcast from the stadium instead of the studio.

By the time the game got started, my primary thought was – thank god it’s not raining!

The first half with England was incredibly even. Intense, aggressive, but balanced. Both teams were having trouble settling into their game. Both playing well, but neither fully playing their game, it was more like they were each being reactive, instead of measured and responsive.

At the end of the first half, each only had one shot on goal and balanced stats.

The second half was a different game, it was our game! For the first time in the tournament, the US team was truly playing their game and they were fabulous. They marked every move and the passing was, as the English would say – Spot on!

Abby got the first goal three minutes into the half, using her head of course.

She and the English captain, Faye White had a head-to-head battle all night.

Defensively, Christie Rampone (you know, Rylie’s mom) fiercely covered every move and as I have come to expect, Heather O’Reilly was all over the field, with both speed and quickness.

Another clean sheet for Hope and on to Hangzhou!

Work Hard - Play Hard!

2007-09-21T18:57:00.000-07:00

How many times have we each said that? How many times have we used this phrase to explain that while we are committed to our jobs, we are also committed to enjoying life?

What would we do if our work were play? I am one of the lucky ones; I get to do what I love. Hardly a week goes by when someone doesn’t say to me ‘Paul, you have my dream job!’ While I am flattered, I know that all that is visible to outsider, is when I am shooting and lucky enough to have one of the best seats in the house. They miss all of the planning, the traveling, the editing and uploading. What can I say? I love it!

Watching today’s practice, Work Hard – Play Hard took on a new meaning for me. The seriousness of the upcoming game was distant from the joy the girls were showing on the practice field. They clearly love what they are doing, the love the game and each other as well. The camaraderie is evident, the sense of family is clear - these are amazing individuals, part of an amazing team.

Indeed they work hard to play hard. Enjoy their smiles from today’s practice; England will see different faces at the Olympic Stadium tomorrow night.

Field Conditions

2007-09-19T22:26:00.000-07:00

As I am preparing to travel to Tianjin, I am spending a bit of time at the Media Center at the Stadium. I had heard there were working on the pitch so I walked up to see it. Not only are they working on it, they have completely removed the playing surface, stripped it down to the sand undersurface and are completely re-sodding the entire surface. The next games in Shanghai are the 3rd place and final games on September 30th.

Next stop Tianjin, next game Saturday vs. England!

Rest, Recovery and Rain

2007-09-19T22:11:00.000-07:00

In the morning we all thought we were in the veritable calm before the storm. As Steve Wade from AP put it last night, “I think I know tomorrow’s story, and it’s us.” Fortunately Steve, as well as the rest of us was wrong and the Typhoon Wipha turned inland and settled down.

Coach Greg Ryan, Lori Chalupny and Heather O’Reilly were available for the media in the afternoon session, while some of the other girls spent time with their families prior to an afternoon recovery workout in the pool. Although there have been many negative comments about the field, both Lori and Heather had great praise for the conditions of the pitch.

Shannon Boxx was trying to teach her mother Julie, the art of Cribbage. From the conversation, it sounded like Shannon had indeed become an expert during her many thousands of miles of travel with the team.

Angela Hucles’ mother Janice arrived and the cards gave way to conversation. The rain and the existing treat of the storm prevented any additional outings.

Angela and Lindsay Tarpley took a moment to check out 'Take a Picture of Me Smiling' on my iPod

I spent the balance of the afternoon umbrella in hand touring my ‘neighborhood,’ a much more traditional Shanghai setting.

The Group of Death

2007-09-18T21:01:00.000-07:00

When I saw Carli Lloyd on Monday afternoon, she asked if I was going to shoot in the rain, in turn I asked her if she was going to play in the rain. “I like to play in the rain,” she responded. All I can say is that Carli must have had the time of her life in the final Group B game against Nigeria on Tuesday night. As Typhoon Wipha was beginning to move ashore, FIFA had already rescheduled Wednesday’s games and travel plans were already changed to avoid the risk.

It had been raining all afternoon, with just a few breaks. I waited for one of those breaks to go over to the stadium media center, a block from my hotel. The break didn’t last long enough for me to make it the entire block.

The team warmed up in the rain. The National Anthems were played in the rain and although the teams were under plexi shelters, they were still in the rain. On yes, the photographers were certainly in the rain. Keeping anything dry was impossible!

The US girls, who had been accused of slow starts in the first two games, were on the board with a Lori Chalupny goal near the end of the first minute.

From there field conditions continued to deteriorate, at one point Abby stopped to replace a section of turf that she had kicked up, reminiscent of a very bad golfer.

What the Nigerians lacked in style they more that made up for in the physical hard-hitting nature of their game. Hard Hitting! I just thought I should mention it at least one more time. It’s no wonder that at the media session on Monday, Kate Markgraf had referred to Group B, as the Group of Death, with the number 1, 3 and 5 ranked teams in the group, and that doesn’t include Nigeria.

The game was a rough as any game that might be played as a grudge match to settle a score on the pitch in any country.

The US has several great chances, Kristine was just a bit high twice, there was a power shot that somehow the Nigerian goal was able to get a hand on and Abby more that a few opportunities that skidded off in the rain.

The final minutes of the game were particularly rough, with Abby being knocked down hard twice within a minute.

Given the conditions, it certainly wasn’t the most elegant game of soccer, but starting in the first minute, the Team got the job done.

There as a group of young American fans to cheer on the team as they boarded the bus back to the hotel.

Thursday morning we travel to Tianjin to prepare for Saturday night’s game against England, which will be played in the brand new Olympic stadium.

Taking the World Cup by Storm

2007-09-18T01:45:00.000-07:00

It’s been raining all day here in Shanghai, with Typhoon Wipha scheduled to hit about midnight Shanghai time.

The field conditions are already suffering from four games that followed several days of rain prior to the beginning of the Tournament.

The following photos are my view of the Hong Kou Stadium from my hotel room, taken yesterday and today.

Hong Kou Stadium, Shanghai

2007-09-17T08:40:00.000-07:00

It’s quiet tonight, but even with forecast of rain a sell-out is expected for the game tomorrow.

Practice, Press and Pearls

2007-09-17T07:58:00.000-07:00

This morning’s practice was at the Shenhau Football Club training complex. This local pro team, trains here and lives at the complex, which is about 30 minutes south of the Hong Kou Stadium where they play and where tomorrow night’s game, as well as the finals will be played.

The ever present Chengdu SWAT team is gone, but the local police seem to have things well under control and only after a bit of arguing by our taxi driver, were we able to get onto the grounds for our 15 minute brush with the players and then back to the hotel.

Early afternoon was the next media session with Tina Ellertson, Kristine Lilly and Kate Markgraf.

Tomorrow’s game against Nigeria is a very personal event for Tina, whose mother is from Nigeria and father from Ghana. Tina has yet to see any action in the first two games and is ready and eager to play.

Both of Tina’s parents, as well as other family members will be at the game. Tina’s emotions were evident as she told of her grandmother who on her deathbed, said she could see Tina playing for the US Team.

The media session was followed by a Team meeting, during which I was able to hang out with one of the upcoming stars of US Soccer, Ms. Riley Rampone. With her deep dark eyes and blond curls she already knows how to work both the camera and the photographer.

Riley, by the way hopes to celebrate her 2nd birthday in Shanghai, on September 29th.

After their meeting, I was able to join some of the team and family members for pearl shopping. Chris and Christie Rampone (and of course Riley), Lori Chalupny and her mother, Carli Lloyd and her boyfriend and her parents, Nicole Barnhart and Natasha Kai, her parents and two of her younger brothers.

While the girls were power pearl shopping, Christie helped me pick out something for my daughter (this is a test to see if Elizabeth is reading my blog).

After some action photos of the shopping, I was relegated to the sidelines with the dads, Steve Lloyd and Benny Kai.

“Cousin” Benny is the lead performer at the Polynesian Cultural Center on the north side of Oahu. To say the least, Benny has a big personality and was posing for me nearly as much as Riley. Check out the amazing Cousin Benny and his Ukulele on YouTube!

Next stop was Haagen Daz for a taste of home. Cookies and Cream tasted amazing. The Chinese versions of Haagen Daz and Starbucks while offering a taste of home, they also have the same prices as home.

T-shirt shopping and a few more photos, mostly of Riley and Benny, made the afternoon complete and fabulous.

The next time I see the girls, they will be all business facing Nigeria for the final game of group play. Concurrently, North Korea will be playing Sweden. I am definitely pulling for Sweden!

Game Faces

2007-09-16T18:45:00.001-07:00

As a field photographer, I don’t really get to watch the game. I am there, but like the rest of the field photographers, I spend most of the game looking through a long lens, focusing on a single player, portion of the field or a single play. Now and then I even miss seeing a goal, because I was watching something else develop. Having said that, after the game, I do get to see over 1,000 single moments in time as I review the photos. I do get to see the faces of the players and their expressions. In reviewing all of my photos, I get to see the minute details that go by so quickly spectators miss and I get to see them over and over.

My favorite shots are when I am lucky enough to have the player make eye contact with my lens. As Abby crosses the field and glances at the corner where I am working, there is that instant when I catch her. Heather turns to look down field and I catch her too. Got Leslie too! A great game and a great day of shooting.

Abby Wambach, arguably one of the toughest, most intense players in the tournament, when head to head with a defender, gets little smile and spark in her eye when she gets control, almost as if to say – Gotcha! It is not just her look, but watching it change through a quick series of frames that reveals how much she loves this game.

I have watched Heather O’Reilly several times this summer and what always amazed me is that she played with her tongue sticking out! Things are different here in China, her look is different, and with each touch of the ball she looks like a martial artist, summoning energy for a 3-board break. Seems appropriate playing here in China.

Leslie Osbourne, while always confident almost looks surprised! Leslie, trust me the only surprise is for your opponents and by now, it should be no surprise for them either.

Stephanie Lopez is the youngest member of the team. Her continued intensity and concentration shows every minute of every game.

Flight to Shanghai

2007-09-15T07:52:00.000-07:00

As it always it was a scramble to pack this morning, get my gear ready to go and check out of the hotel. In am not normally a souvenir person, I had already received more gifts from the Venue Organizing Committee than I would normally have on an entire trip. Packing was a challenge and I plan to pick up an extra bag before I head home, not to imply that I ever travel light.

I knew that I was on the same plane as the US Team, but in addition to the girls and team personnel, everyone else was there too. ESPN, ESPN.com, Sports Illustrated, AP, Voice of America, Washington Post and I am sure several others. Waiting for the plane was a very informal media event.

As we are all talking, relaxing and waiting to board, the next group arrived – the Nigerian Team. I think everyone on the flight was related to the World Cup.

I had previously met Ally Wagner, who’s husband Adam Eyre I knew from his days playing for the Minnesota Thunder. I had also met Leslie, Kate and Heather at a clinic they were giving in Chicago recently, but this was the first time that I really had a chance to sit and talk to any of the team.

They are just as you would expect poised, confident, approachable and absolutely delightful. In addition to all of that, having seen them play two extraordinarily intense games, I know they are among the toughest athletes I have ever met.

This was also the first time that I was able to speak to them individually about our project. My images will be combined with the text by nationally recognized teen author Gail B. Stewart, to produce at book entitled Portrait of Passion. Each was excited and eager to help. In the next few days, I will share more information about our project.

Wishing the players well seems inappropriate, all I told each one of them was to keep on smiling. My sense is that the will be.

A Perfect Night and a Clean Sheet

2007-09-15T07:20:00.000-07:00

Last night’s clear blue sky and light breeze was a stark contrast to the rain and wind from Tuesday night. In warming up, the US girls looked relaxed and ready to go. High fives, hugs and smiles all around.

Aside from the US Team, I have seen Sweden play more than other team in the Tournament and at the 2003 World Cup I had a chance to meet a few of the girls and get some very sweet candids, but tonight my loyalties are clear.

Just like the North Koreans, the Swedish team came out on the attack. Most of the first 10 minutes were spent in front of the US goal. Our defense rose to every shot and crossing pass. Hope Solo was fierce in the goal almost as if to compensate for Tuesday’s draw. The intensity of five corner kicks in the first 10 minutes conveys the action.

In the 34th minute Kate Markgraf was fouled in the box and Abby took the penalty shot, firing it to the upper left corner as the Swedish goalie moved right.

In the 58th minute it was Abby again, while in full stride ahead of two defenders took a perfectly placed pass from Kristine Lilly. A slight bump from her chest and then a shot past the goalie.

There was no let up in action for the rest of the game, but the US controlled the ball and had a perfect defense, to finish with a 2-0 clean sheet.

The second game, equally exciting and at least as physical was the other half of group B, North Korea vs. Nigeria. With two goals early in the first half, the game looked like it may be reminiscent of the Germany / Argentina game earlier in the week or at least the Brazil / New Zealand game. But the Nigerians did anything but roll over for the North Koreans. Equally physical and more so upon occasion, although unable to finish one of their many chances they contained the North Koreans for the remainder of the game.

As we move to the third set Group B games on Tuesday, US and North Korea are tied with 4 points and a plus 2 goal differential each.

As I had breakfast with the Swedish journalists, I truly wished them my best wishes for their game against North Korea on Tuesday in Tianjin.

The Sun is Out!

2007-09-14T00:43:00.003-07:00

For the first time since I arrived, I woke up to a clear and sunny morning. It’s a great day for the matches tonight.

One of the FIFA volunteers offered to be my tour guide for the morning, Gong Jian is a senior in high school who hopes to attend college in the US. His English was perfect as was his sense of humor. Last night he had dropped off an itinerary for the morning - including historical references.

We started the day at the restored home of famed poet Du Fu. Saying the site is restored, to give it prospective, the restoration was completed in 1811. His poetry was so significant in telling the story of the common people; his simple, elegant poems are studied in high schools. The area is a park within the city, but completely secluded and quiet, where older community neighbors can gather for some quiet conversation and to spend their day.

From there we went to the site of the Jin Sha Relics were only 3 years ago a farmer unearthed an artifact while clearing a field. Literally above the site of the relics an ultra modern museum was constructed with two additional buildings to display the artifacts.

More Pandas

2007-09-14T00:15:00.002-07:00

I decided to add a couple more Panda photos just because I could. Here are botht he Red Panda and of course the Giant Panda, in deep contemplation.

Practice Day – Panda Day

2007-09-13T06:45:00.000-07:00

My image of Beer, Barbecue and Football took on an international meaning last night as my friends from AP and I went out for Sichuan Style Barbecue and to find a place where we could watch the China vs. Norway Game in Wuhan. There was a great crowd in stadium built just for the Women’s World Cup; China scored two great goals in their 2 – 1 victory.

This morning we ventured out to the US practice field. Although the practice is open to journalist for the first 15 minutes, almost as soon as their stretching was wrapped up, Coach Ryan took the players to the far end of the field and had his staff form a wall with interlocking arms to block our view.

Indeed there would be no leaks on tactics and strategies. FYI – SWAT guys do not like to have their picture taken.

The practice was based on the campus of the Chengdu Information and Technology University. From the stadium we could hear students practicing marching drills in military attire.

While there was marching on the Tennis Courts, immediately adjacent were rows and rows of table tennis tables.

In the afternoon, Julie Jacobson from AP, armed with her video camera and I went to the Panda Research Center. Julie wanted to do about a 3 minute video for an AP website and I needed some shots that typify the Sichuan area. Which is another way to say that we thought seeing the pandas would be really cool.

What caught my attention immediately was not the pandas, but a little girl who was more than a little afraid of me, but her parents seemed fascinated by the Americans with the big cameras. They were encouraging her to smile and pose, but I was sufficiently different to her to be a bit of a threat, no matter what her parents said. Ultimately, I was asked to pose with father and daughter so they could have a photo of me.

Pandas have periodically been on tour at major zoos in the US. I do recall seeing them at the Minnesota Zoo. They were there sleeping, doing what I thought was all pandas did. Sichuan Province is home to 85% of the World Panda population. When they are at home, they climb, they play and run they after each other. When they play, keep in mind the females way around 200 pounds and the males about 250, they roll and push and squeal.

Although they wouldn’t allow us to shoot in the nursery, there were 3 side by side in a playpen. A truly amazing sight!

Practice Day

2007-09-12T04:10:00.000-07:00

After shooting two games in the rain last night, I realize that although I am 9,000 miles from home, I could be anywhere shooting soccer. I cannot understand the crowd, but I am doing what I do, shooting soccer. Not unlike the players I am at home on the field. In the short time I have been here, the journalists and the photographers are an easy group to get to know work with and all with the same objective, to tell the World Cup Story.

At times during the game it takes a moment to realize the crowd is not cheering in English. As luck would have it, I was positioned immediately in front of the Korean fans, very enthusiastic fans.

Each morning I have started with what the hotel calls “western” style breakfast, with rice and steamed vegetables. The table conversations with the rest of the media group are much better than the food. There is a Starbucks around the corner from my hotel, but so far, I have managed to not be drawn into my normal morning ritual.

The starters from last night’s game were given the day off today, but it was no surprise when they jogged out onto the field, lead of course by Kristine Lilly.

Unfortunately the media is only allowed at the first 15 minutes of practice each day and then a taxi ride back to the hotel that would rival a chase scene in the Bourne Identity.

This afternoon’s interviews included the optimistic Coach Greg Ryan, Christie Rampone, Abby Wambach and Heather O’Reilly.

Greg reiterated what had been said on Chinese TV, that last night’s was one of the best Women’s games ever played. He remains confident and politely sidestepped the questions from the Swedish journalist on how the would approach the next game against Sweden.

Abby, who ultimately had 11 stitches to close the gash in her head, when asked about her sore toe, said it was “really sore,” but not a problem, she would play with a broken bone (smiling up at the media as she spoke.) Clearly one of the toughest players here; clearly one of the toughest players anywhere, and yet giving the credit for all of the hard work to Kristine Lilly, who gives Abby such great feeds.

Heather described her goal as “opportunistic,” sometimes you get lucky and the ball appears right at your feet. She smiled as she described that it looked better on TV than it felt at the time. Indeed you have to get lucky, but as they say, the harder you work, the luckier you get.

All four mentioned that the team is eager to get back on the field and play.

It was a dark and rainy night

2007-09-11T19:48:00.000-07:00

It had rained on and off throughout the day here in Chengdu and as game time approached it looked like the weather was about to clear. Just as the teams were being introduced, it began to mist. The mist turned to sprinkles and then sprinkles turned to rain. It rained and rain some more, and continued for the entire evening.

As expected the Korean team came out running and immediately began attacking, they were fast and intense and constantly on the US team. Every moment was intense. There were no breaks; both teams ran the entire field for the full game.

Without scoring in the first half, Abby Wambach scored on a pass from Kristine Lilly. Leading 1-0, minutes later, Abby was on her back at the far end of the field with a gash to her head. Unable to stop the bleeding quickly, the ref made them leave to field and the US continued for the next 9 minutes, a player short. While Abby was being stitched up in the locker room, the Koreans scored twice within 4 minutes.

Heather O’Reilly tied the game at 2-2 with her first World Cup goal.

Even in the rain, you could see Abby’s blood stained uniform and she continued to play. She like the others, never lost their composure, never let up for a minute. It was a great game.

The second game of the night, Sweden vs. Nigeria was also a great game but lacked the intensity of the US and Korea. Great plays, great technical skills, but far less physical. At the end it was also a tie 1-1.

The first round of play ended pretty much as it had begun, all teams on equal group with one point as we wait for Friday.

There is a fine line

2007-09-10T11:55:00.000-07:00

For many things in life there is a fine line that we need to be mindful not to cross. There is a fine line between diversity and lack of focus; there is a fine line between passion and obsession; and there is a fine line between confidence and over-confidence.

In today’s brief media session Kate Markgraf, Hope Solo and Carli Lloyd were a quiet display of confidence. In response to the standard questions they each provided the standard answers, of ‘one game at a time’ and ‘Group B has 3 of the top 5 teams in the world; but what was evident was the look in their eyes.

Each look said: I’m here and I’m ready to play. I may be half a world away from where I live, when I walk on the field, I am at home. If you want to keep up, you better bring your best, and then some.

They are here to play, they are here to work harder than anyone else; and oh yes, they are definitely here to win.

Indeed it was Kate Markgraf that made everyone else smile, when asked how she was going spend her evening, she told us of the long-standing tradition of doing each other’s nails in red, white and blue! I will definitely try to get that in a game photo!

The look in their eyes – confidence, passion and indomitable spirit.

Welcome to Chengdu

2007-09-09T16:10:00.001-07:00

Arriving in Chengdu, I met one of the British Announcers, Nick London and two people from The Football Association (of England). The airport as well as the city streets has banners and billboards about the tournament. Chengdu’s reputation for support of the tournament is in evidence everywhere.

Upon picking up my luggage, there are World Cup Volunteers to help get me pointed in the right direction with taxi driver. A taxi ride in Chengdu is only part transportation; but mostly a thrill ride. Everyone has been extraordinarily gracious, particularly the two college students at my hotel, He Semin and Xie Xin. They are giving me directions, notes to give to taxi drivers and teaching me Chinese and both are thrilled to be practicing their English.

Immediately upon picking up my credentials I walked across the street to see the crowd gathered at the stadium. I was waved into the media area and arrived just as the US Team were finishing practice and coming out for a couple of quick interviews.

Although I had not pre-arranged any interviews, listening to Abby Wambach and Hope Solo, they are clearly confident and eager to get the tournament started.

One More Flight

2007-09-09T15:55:00.000-07:00

Overnight in Shanghai allowed me to clean up, regroup and get some sleep in a bed after over 20 hours of flying.

I am in the final portion of this final flight on the way to the Tournament and it is less than 48 hours until I arrive at the Chengdu Stadium for the initial US game, facing North Korea.

I am finally getting excited, anticipating the energy of the crowd, the interaction with the other photographers and having one of the best seats in the house for the greatest women’s soccer that has ever been played. I am more than pleased to be there, I am proud to be there.

As I sit here I am smiling, thinking about how much I love being there shooting. I will do my best to bring you the action that can only be experienced from eye level and the intensity of the action when it is right in front of you.

Separation Anxiety

2007-09-08T00:45:00.000-07:00

At 32,000 feet, more or less, the reality of spending the next 3 ½ weeks in China is finally beginning to sink in. My preparation, while directed at the Women’s World Cup has been mostly working in my office. E-mail, Fax, Meetings, lots more e-mail and even more meetings. But now the trip is underway and although I will not arrive in Chengdu until Sunday afternoon, my excitement is building.

At 6:00 AM this morning I dropped off Skyler and Wrigley and came home to a very quiet house. Life with Wrigley, a four-month old Golden Retriever, is rarely quiet. He has two speeds, fast and nap, but the ever-maternal nine year old Skyler is always in control as the Queen of the house.

Wrigley (my father was a life-long Cubs fan) and Skyler are with good friends Joanna and Bob, and will no doubt have their own visitors while I am away. Anyone who knows Goldens will understand that they have their own set of friends.

Indeed there was some separation anxiety, but I am sure I will be fine!

Posting this from Tokyo’s Narita Airport I feel surprisingly rested and ready to go. Next stop Shanghai!

Portrait of Passion

2007-09-06T15:49:00.001-07:00

The challenge for any photographer is to make their images rise above the others. As I prepare to leave for China in the morning, it is not enough to say that I want to get some great soccer photos. Every international photographer on the field will get some great shots. I want mine to be more memorable. I want mine to transcend the photo and convey the emotion of the players. I want mine to show the energy and the indomitable spirit of the team. I want you to look into the eyes of players and see their passion. I want you to see their passion for the game and their passion for life.

My theme for the tournament is Portrait of Passion. I am sure I will get some great soccer shots, and if I am lucky I will be able to reveal the spirit of the players.

My next stop is Shanghai and the adventure begins.

Indomitable Spirit

2007-09-02T19:23:00.000-07:00

There have been two things that have been a constant thread in my adult life, endurance sports and photography. The 70’s were filled with swimming and bike racing. In the 80’s and 90’s I was running marathons and cross country ski racing. Since there, well I have slowed down a bit as parts wear out, but my photography has remained constant.

Since my first camera in 1971, my concentration has always been endurance sports, it’s only natural, I shoot what I know, and I know how it feels. However, it wasn’t until I began to study Tae Kwon Do that I could articulate what it took to be an endurance athlete. Indomitable spirit, one of the underlying tenets of TKD – one that you can see on the face of any serious endurance athlete.

In the send off game against New Zealand, when Natasha Kai entered the game in the 64th minute, you could see her spirit in your eyes, in her step and in every move she made. Everyone in the stadium knew that she was going to score. She knew it, her teammates knew it, the fans knew it and I am certain New Zealand knew it as well.

Every move she made had power and direction. Every pass knew where it was going and her single focus was directed at the goal. It wasn’t until the 90th minute that Abby Wambach finished off one of her shots for the final goal of the game.

Indomitable spirit, indeed.

Counting Down to China

2007-08-31T15:10:00.000-07:00

As a photographer I have extraordinarily been lucky, having the best seat in the house at a variety of World Cup events. The 2003 Women’s World Cup, was quickly re-scheduled from China due to the SARs epidemic. It was a great experience but as often happens with re-scheduled events, in spite of the fabulous competition, the local organizing committee did not have time to adequately promote and market the event, and as such the attendance was less than what was hoped for.

In March of 2004, I was invited to the Biathlon World Cup in Fort Kent, Maine. Fort Kent is the most northern and eastern city in the US. Imagine a crowd of 6,000 spectators taking over a town with 4,000 residents. It was truly amazing. What was best was shooting in the woods and hearing the roar of the crowd in the stadium area as the skiers finished shooting and headed out for another lap. Photographers have to be careful shooting biathletes - they shoot back!

December 2005 took Phil Bowen and me to British Colombia for the Canadian Nordic World Cup. The top skiers in the world were there and the crowd was amazing. Blue skies and 60 foot pine trees, combined with great Canadian hospitality. Many great shots and even more new friends. Phil and I will be heading back to the Canadian Rockies in January 08.

In March 2006, the Short-Track Speed Skating World Championship came to Minnesota. Short and speed are the key words here.

International competition is amazing and so far, in my travels, they have all come to North America to meet me. This time it is definitely different.

I will be leaving for China in less than a week to shoot the 2007 FIFA Women's World Cup Soccer Tournament. I will be shooting all of the US games, plus a few others. Flying in the Shanghai and then traveling to Chengdu for the initial portion of Group B play. I will then return to Shanghai (as luck would have it, on the same flight as the US Team) for the final portion of Group Play. From there, well, it depends on the outcome of the Group play, but the US has an amazing well rounded team and a great shot at the gold!

I am both excited and apprehensive. As a photographer, there is no way to travel light and going to China, as a Journalist requires a special Visa, as well as an inviation, in my case from FIFA.

My preparation has seemed to be more paperwork than photography and I will be relieved to get on the plane next Friday morning.

I will be posting comments and images every day of the tournament. Much more to follow.