"Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Dream as if you were to live forever.."

I got a call from the newspaper and they wanted to do an article on me.  I was honored.  They asked me about the season, my role models, the coaching I do in Gavle, my past soccer experiences and the camp I will be running here in Gavle.  It is not common to have a soccer camp in Sweden.  Its a lot of fun organizing and putting together a camp.  I am happy the article mentioned the camp. I want as many kids as possible to come train. I want to spread the love, passion and excitement of the game with as many people as I can.  Here is the link to the article.

http://arbetarbladet.se/sport/fotboll/1.4886983-amerikanskan-som-vill-sprida-sitt-kunnande

*It is in Swedish.  My Swedish is getting better and better every day, but google translate always helps.

We ended the first half of our season on a high note and are in a good position.  Our goal is to win the series.  We have great personalities; everyone brings something to the table.  I believe that my team has what it takes to accomplish our goal.

In other news I have been on a short break.  My sister, Melanie and cousin, Jess came to visit me.  It was an incredible trip.  We explored Stockholm, paddle boated/kayaked, went to the ice bar, shopped, explored Gavle, went to a concert, Melanie turned 18, celebrated the fourth of July, caught up with all of my friends, teammates and so much more.  I was so happy they got to experience my life here in Sweden.  It was definitely an adventure I will never forget and a highlight of the summer so far.  I was sad to see them leave.

Loreen!!

After I dropped them off at the airport a few of my teammates asked me to go on a last minute trip back to Stockholm to see Loreen sing live at AllSang!! They said that they thought it would be a good thing to do after my family left, because they knew that they would be sad if their family had just left after a visit.  It was so nice!!! The show was absolutely incredible. I love random trips like that.  Im lucky to be around such great people!!

  

"thinking about absolutely nothing when it's absolutely necessary"

In Soccer news we had a game verse Gamla Uppsala and won 5-1 and then we ended the first half of the season beating Lidingo 4-3.

 Lidingo was an extremely exciting game.   Lidingo capitalized on their opportunities and scored two goals early on.  We were losing 2-0 in the first half... 2-0 is one of the worst leads in soccer; it is very common to see the team leading by 2 at halftime lose the game at the end.

 At half time we regrouped and came out strong; scoring a goal in just the first five minutes.  Lidingo responded and put another one away making it 3-1.  Everyone kept their heads up, we were patient and we knew our time would come.  In the 80th minute we got a free kick. I played the ball to Sofia who chipped the keeper making it 3-2.  Shortly after we scored again making the score 3-3...

 I looked at the clock and I see that we are in extra time. I got the ball, turned and dribbled towards goal and got taken down from behind right outside the 18.  The ref gave us a free kick. I set the ball down and Sandra our forward came up to me and said, "I want this!!" Looking at her I could see complete focus surrounding her face; she was in the zone that every athlete wants to be in.."thinking about absolutely nothing, when it is absolutely necessary." Her strike was fantastic; straight line, low, placed perfectly and it found the back of the net.  The keeper did not have a chance; it was probably one of the best free kicks I have seen.  We all rushed to Sandra in celebration.  Lidingo rushed the ball to the center circle; right when they kicked off the ref blew the whistle to end the game.  We won with just seconds left on the clock!

One thing I like about my team is that even when we are down we still believe that we are going to win. Every game I have played in with IFK I can just sense this "winning" attitude.  Its a great quality to have as a team.  We don't sulk on mistakes or overdo the success. It is never good to focus on what has pasted.  Its about focusing on the next chance and the next opportunity.  This game was a good ending to the first half of the season.

In other news,  now I have a two week break from soccer. Melanie and my cousin Jess are coming to Sweden and they get here tomorrow!! We are going to explore Stockholm, Gavle, and a few other places.  I am excited to share my Swedish adventure with them!!

"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!! 

Why, why can’t this moment last forevermore?, Tonight, tonight eternity’s an open door, No, don’t ever stop doing the things you do, Don’t go, in every breath I take I’m breathing you, Euphoria...." Loreen

It had been a fabulous weekend!! Eurovision was on Saturday night.  Eurovision is an annual music competition.  Every country in Europe sends an artist or group to perform and then at the end of the show each country votes to determine the most popular song.  I watched Eurovision for the first time last year in Finland and loved it.  I was really excited to see it again. 

I had practice Saturday morning and then immediately after I took the train into the city to meet up with some my best friends. First, they surprised me and gave me a ticket to see Sweden verse Serbia at Sweden's national Stadium in Stockholm, for my birthday!! We are going to the game next Tuesday. Thank you so much Helena, Martina, Hanna, Linda and Therese. You guys are amazing and I am so happy I am so close to you all.

 The weather on Saturday was perfect so before Eurovision we enjoyed the sun in a park and played some Kubb (a Swedish game). After we went and had a little BBQ and got ready for the show. It was great!! Sweden's performance was incredible!!! They were the best.  When the points were being awarded we were cheering every time Sweden received any.  They got points from every country and won the Eurovision title!!! The Swedish song was Euphoria by Loreen.  Loreen's performance was absolutely stunning!!!  Euphoria has been on repeat on my ipod since the competition. Here is Sweden's Eurovision performance.

It was a fantastic night; I did not want to leave!

Sunday was just as incredible.  We had a big game verse IK Huge.  They are the other team in Gavle and our biggest rival.  We played a great game! Everyone all over the field was on.  Defensively we were compact, together and doing whatever it took to win the ball.  In the first have Sandra our forward scored two great goals!! One goal came off a beautiful cross from our outside mid Jossefine and then Josse split the defensive perfectly to send Sandra one vs. one with the keeper.  Huge was pretty good on the outside but we shut them down every time.  Pernie our goalkeeper came up with some big saves as well.  We created many opportunities but the game ended 2-0. Everyone contributed to the win and had a great game.  The Win felt great and it was well deserved!!! It was an incredible end to a great weekend!

"The greatest education in the world is watching the masters at work." michael jackson

When I was younger I went to every one of my Dad's indoor soccer game.  I would live at the indoor arena in the winter; if I was not playing I was always watching.  My family and I would go to watch the Boston Breakers when they were in the WUSA, I followed the USA national team, The English premier league, the champions league, etc.  If there was a game on that I could watch, I watched. I was and still am a soccer junkie and in love with the game. 

I feel like watching the game helped me develop as a player.  I believe you can learn just as much or more by just simply watching the game.  I don't think youth players watch enough soccer, especially girls. 

I want my youth team to start watching soccer! Last week I had the perfect oppertunity to get them started.  Tyreso was playing IK Sirius in the Swedish cup. Marta is playing for Tyresö.  They are a team out of Stockholm and  compete in  Allsvenskan (Sweden's top league.)  Tyresö is stacked!! Besides Marta, they have big names such as Lisa Dahlkvist,  and my personal favorite Caroline Seger.   

 The game was at IK Sirius's home field in Uppsala. Uppsala is not far from Gavle so I thought this was the perfect chance for some team bonding.  My girls get to be together, watch some quality high level soccer and see one of the best female players in the world!   


  I met the girls at the train station and we were off to Uppsala.  We got some food and headed to the field.  I was really happy they came to the game and I think they got a lot out of it.  I told them to pick out a player in their position and try and imitate their movements and technique when they play. I want them to become students of the game. 

They all seemed to be big fans of Marta and I asked them "what do you like about her?" "What makes her special?" Marta is a spark. She is technical, speedy and fun to watch.  Marta puts on a show.  She gets people excited about the game.  Every player has a special quality; Marta uses hers to full capacity and sticks out.  I want my players to use their special qualities to become a spark on the field.  By seeing a this spark, hopefully the next time they play they will want to imitate and shine in their own way. 


This past week, the training's with the girls were great. Monday was the best session so far! I tried out some new ideas and they were beyond successful.  The session was on speed of play and creating space.  The girls really grasped all the concepts I threw at them and when we ended in a game they looked like soccer players.  It was fun to watch!   They are gaining confidence and becoming a team! It was one of those days where everything just clicked.

I had practice  with them today and we have a game tomorrow.  I'm looking forward to it! It is another day to play and another chance for them to express themselves.  Now it is up to them to transfer what they have learned into the game!

*More updates to come about my team's last game and the game this Sunday