Gold Medal Was More Than A Solo Effort
I don’t know why I am surprised that the media coverage surrounding the U.S. Women’s National Team’s Gold Medal win over Brazil in soccer is predominantly focused on Hope Solo, but I am. Scores of articles have found their way through cyberspace to my laptop in the last 24 hours and they all seem to be about Solo.
Solo had a good tournament and a great match against Brazil, but to pretend that this was a “solo” effort does a great disservice to the team and the reality of this tournament.
This Olympic Gold Medal was not about one player or even two or three. They never are, but this campaign especially had team written all over it from the beginning.
This Gold Medal was about a team willing to embrace change and play things differently than before even when they were pushed out of their comfort zone.
It was about a team that was dealt a string of injuries leading up to the games including the potential knock out blow of losing their go to girl just days before boarding the plane to Beijing.
It was about 18 players that overcame a disastrous start, a whole lot of doubt, and even some smack talk.
This Gold Medal is about seven U.S. players finding the back of the net.
It is about a veteran player who has been around a long time, but never really in a position to make an impact in a big game, a player who heard the critics question her presence in the lineup replacing an injured star and leading her team in scoring.
It was about young players having the opportunity to contribute because they had a coach and a team that believed in them.
It was about a charismatic forward who found herself on the bench once again, embracing her role and carrying the team out of the quarterfinals with her overtime goal.
This Gold Medal was about a right back who had two World Cups end in injury before they began, finally having a chance to prove to the world that she is more than a pretty face.
It was about a midfielder benched halfway through the World Cup blasting in the game winner not once, but twice.
It was about two players that were sent home and got a second chance to do their part after their teammates were injured.
It was about a coach with a contagious passion for soccer showing them a new way and teaching them to be brave.
This Gold Medal was about a trio of Tar Heels leading the way with their tenacity and work ethic.
It was about a couple of soccer moms charged with leading this team out of it’s darkest days and managing to orchestrate a brilliant defensive effort against the favored Brazilians.
This Gold Medal belongs to a back up goalie that didn’t see a minute of action during the Olympic games, but was a constant presence pushing Solo to be her best.
It was about players on the bench contributing when they were called upon, sitting when they’d rather be playing, and cheering on their team through every frantic second.
And yes, this Gold Medal belongs to a goalie that had something to prove. She did and I’m sure she would be the first to tell you that she wasn’t out there alone.
Congratulations to the 18, to the coaching staff, to the wounded, and the players who came in and out of camp this year and pushed this team to Gold. It’s your Medal too.
Authors note - Since I was being all creative and didn't mention the players by name, there is a free Dare to Dream video for the first poster who "fills in the blanks" . List the players I refer to in order in the comments section along with a contact email and we'll be in touch to find out how to get you your DVD.
Photo by Brad Smith/isiphotos.com
Comments
Name the players
Raquel Arce-Benitez
Monday September 01 2008 03:42:13 am
Gold Medal Was More Than A Solo Effort
Dan
Monday August 25 2008 02:10:52 pm
Finally
Steve and Pam Lloyd
Sunday August 24 2008 08:05:22 am
Answers to the above
Deb
Saturday August 23 2008 05:26:25 pm