If it's Good for Soccer -

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.