"Tell me what do you see, When you looking at me, On a mission to be, What Im destined to be,I done been through the pain and the sorrow The struggle is nothing but love (nothing but love)...I'm a soldier, a rider, a ghetto survivor And all the above" "

One of my goals as a coach and as a player is that I want to get kids excited about the game! I want to put on a show. I want to spread the excitement, beauty, and passion with as many people as possible! 

Yesterday Jossefine, Sandra and I were guest players at a charity skills clinic in town.  It was neat because there were kids of all different races and ethnicities.  There were five different stations; speed shooting, placement, speed dribbling, throw ins, and juggling.  We were with a group of girls the whole time.  The first station was juggling.. When it was my turn; I did some freestyle.  I taught a few of the girls some tricks; they were constantly practicing what I had showed them.

The people in charge of the clinic asked me if I would perform for the whole group.  The whole clinic met in the center circle; there were cameras and the show began.  

After the performance, I got challenged by an 8 year old! He joined me in the circle and we battled. I did a trick and he copied.  He did a trick and I copied.  It was street soccer!! Anything can happen!

Before we left the circle he came up to me and said, " I can do a trick you can't do.." I said," Ok lets see it."  This 8 year old boy put the ball on the back of his neck and took his shirt off; keeping the ball there the whole time.  It was absoutly incredible.  The whole clinic cheered! He was right.. I could not do that trick...

I am a performer; here is my old performance in Finland.

This was another one of those amazing days; it was unpredictable, it was fun, it was total street! I met some great kids, made many new contacts and just had a blast!

  We went straight to practice after the clinic and then my youth team had a game.  My youth team played the best I have seen them play so far! They put on a show as well! We won 2-0. 

 Afterward I walked and I decided to take the long way home.  I starting thinking about everything that happened throughout the whole day and I know I am in the right place. Who would of thought? Its days like these that I realize how much I love what I am doing..

"And I'll taste every moment, And live it out loud, I know this is the time, This is the time, To be more than a name, Or a face in the crowd, I know this is the time, This is the time of my life, Time of my life"

Last week was incredible! Monday I had my last school trainings for the summer. Tuesday I ventured to Stockholm to watch Sweden play Serbia in their national arena. It was Sweden's last game before the Euro Cup.  The environment was great, it was an amazing day with some amazing people!       

Wednesday I was on a plane back to the U.S. to surprise my sister for her graduation! She had no idea I was coming and I honestly think she was a little mad at me for "not coming." Right when I landed I went straight to her Academic awards ceremony.  I wanted to wait for the right time to really surprise her so I hid in the audience until she got her award.  When her name was called I snuck around so she would meet me coming down the stairs.  When she saw me she just starred; it took her a second to register that I was really there and then she tackled me.  I felt like I was about to tear up with this over whelming surge of joy.  My brother took a video of the surprise. Enjoy!

Friday was Melanie's graduation and it was beautiful! I am so proud of her and I know she is meant for great things.  Afterwards, we had a party at my house and it was amazing to be around my whole family.  It is a time I will never forget.  Melanie and my cousin Jess are coming to visit me soon in Sweden. I can not wait for them to get here. Melanie has visited me every year while I was in Florida and now I am excited to have her come overseas for a Swedish Adventure. 

Saturday I got on a plane back to Sweden.  I was completely exhausted; I had one of the best sleeps of my life on the plane.  I landed in Stockholm Sunday morning and took a train to Gavle right away.  I had a game verse Bromma Pojkarna at 3.  I felt rested from a good sleep on the plane and I was ready to play.  It was a great game!! We were connecting well; scored some classy goals and won 2-1.  It was a great way to end a great week!

"Whatever comes out of these gates, we've got a better chance of survival if we work together. Do you understand? If we stay together we survive"

The pregame speech..

About an hour before the game starts the coach comes into the locker room and gives the pregame speech.. I think what is said before the game is important.  I have had many different coaches with many different styles.  I have experienced tacticians, philosophers, the inspirational/motivational, the profound few word coach, and a coach that combines it all. As a player, during these speeches I hear the coach talking and I am listening but sometimes it is a blur..  I retain certain words and focus on them.  In the past its been words and phrases like "take the risk", "play outside your comfort zone", "courage", "work", "trust", "express yourself", "make em' look good", "perform".  All I know is that my heart rate raises and I am even more excited to play after the talk!

My youth team had a game on Tuesday, after some tactical talk I decided to quote Maximus in one of my favorite movies; The Gladiator.

"Whatever comes out of these gates, we've got a better chance of survival if we work together. Do you understand? If we stay together we survive"

After I stated the quote I said, "Whatever comes out of these gates, we've got a better chance of winning if we work together. Do you understand? If we attack together and defend together we will win this game!"

Then, I listed three words and defined them.

COURAGE: Have the courage to take the risk and express yourself

TRUST: Trust in yourself, your abilities and your team

WORK: No one works harder! In practice we work so hard that after we have nothing left.. Lets transfer that to the field. I don't care if Marta herself walks out those "gates" we set the intensity and we will win this game.

And of course go out there and HAVE FUN! Nu kor vi! Lets go!!

I know some of this stuff is cheezy but I think there needs to be more of this. After the speech I had a good feeling about the game, the girls seemed ready. I think I might have been more amped up for the game than the players.  We ended up losing the game but they played the best soccer I have seen them play so far! It felt like a win. We have a lot to work on but I was really proud of them!

Last night my team had an away game verse Tierp. I had a good feeling about the game and felt that we were ready! The first half went by fast and we ended the half 0-0.  The second half Tierp scored an unlucky goal.. We fought the whole game and we played well. I thought we were the better team and held more possession.   We created some solid opportunities but could not find the back of the net.  Soccer can be a crazy game sometimes. 


Now we have practice today and an away game in Stockholm tomorrow! I'm excited to play again and I am hungry for the win!  My team is great and we have some amazing personalities on and off the field.  Tomorrow is a new day and a new game. We are going for nothing less than 3 points!!