Aug
8
Soccerdiva Soundbite…Christie Rampone
Filed Under Podcast, World Football | 3 Comments
Footballer. Mother. Captain fantastic. A legend in the making. The ultimate leader. The USWNT has performed heroics in many games and Christie Rampone has experienced the highs and lows having been part of this team for many years.
Rampone has won at every single level. An Olympic gold medalist and World Cup Winner, Christie is a true inspiration and one of the best captain’s the USWNT has seen. It was wonderful to spend a few minutes with her during training camp and tomorrow she and her team have the opportunity to redeem the loss to Japan in last summer’s World Cup.
Prepare for more drama. This is the USWNT!
Aug
6
Soccerdiva Soundbite…Heather O’Reilly
Filed Under World Football | 2 Comments
During the Olympic qualifiers, I had the pleasure of spending time with the USWNT. These women work so hard and are absolutely determined to win gold in London.
After an epic semi-final game at Old Trafford against Canada on Monday night, the USWNT once again showed their belief in each other and their flair for late drama. A superb cross from the skillful Heather O’Reilly to future superstar Alex Morgan broke Canadian hearts everywhere. And let’s not forget Megan Rapinoe, who undoubtedly had the game of her life! During camp, I was fortunate to chat with one of the heroes from tonight’s game, Heather O’ Reilly. She talks about what it means to play for her country, her love for Tim McGraw and her admiration for Lionel Messi. You will love her energy. Enjoy the Soccerdiva Soundbite.
Aug
4
Jose Mourinho loves David Beckham…
Filed Under La Liga, MLS, World Football | 5 Comments
Football icon David Beckham was recently quoted as saying that Jose Mourinho is one of the greatest managers in football right now. As obvious as Beckham’s assessment of Mourinho may seem, it appears the two men have a tremendous amount of respect for each other.
When Beckham’s quote was presented to Mourinho in a press conference after Real Madrid thrashed the Los Angeles Galaxy 5-1 in front of a record-breaking crowd at the Home Depot Center, he reciprocated the compliment. “Beckham has always been nice to me. He has always had very good words for me. I’m sorry I could never be his coach. I would love it. Now it’s too late as David is in the last years of his career.”
Clearly Mourinho admires the ex-Real Madrid star, and he didn’t hold back about Beckham missing from Team GB at the Olympics. “There is something I don’t understand and I know because I was also inside the project. If now the Olympic Games are in London, it’s because of him. Yes it’s because of Sebastian Coe and other people, but he was the most important face of that project. I don’t understand why he is not playing though. I cannot understand.”
It’s a shame for Beckham that the Portuguese manager wasn’t choosing the side for Team GB. “I think in a group of 18 players you have football qualities to give, human qualities to give. I think he is one of the best soccer professionals to express the ideals of Pierre de Coubertin. I’m so sorry he is not there. I also participated in the London project and I don’t understand why such a big personality is playing in this preseason friendly match, when he should be at the Olympics.”
This is sure to reignite the debate about Beckham’s exclusion from Stuart Pearce’s Team GB squad. If the team goes on to win Olympic gold, all will be forgotten. For now, it seems even Mourinho is confused as to why England’s most iconic sports export is not present during one of the most important sporting events the country has seen since the 1948 Olympics, 1966 World Cup and Euro ’96.
Frank Lampard also shared the same sentiments as Mourinho when he was in the United States for the MLS All-Star Game. There’s no doubt there are plenty of people in Team Becks’ corner. So far, Team GB seem to be surviving without him. Do you agree with The Special One?