Practice Day

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.