Good Morning. . .

Good Morning!! I just pulled back my shade, and the sun is already shining here in Beijing - this is a much appreciated change from the rainy weather of the past couple of days. This evening, we take on Japan, a team who in the past couple years has become a friendly nemesis (if such a thing exists). Since I have joined the National Team in 2005, aside from Argentina, Japan is the team we have met most internationally. In the 2005 World Cup Qualifier in Rome, we lost to the Japanese in the 3-4 match. Again in the World Cup Final, we fell to them in the 5-6 game. Since those meetings we have played in two five game test series, one hosted in the USA and one in Japan. It is nice to meet a familiar foe in competition; however we know this evenings match will be incredibly difficult. The Japanese are quick and disciplined; their defense can absorb a lot of pressure - we will have our work cut out for us, but it is a task we apt to succeed at.

I must admit, it was an incredible relief to finally play in a match the other night. With so much activity going on around us in the village, in the city, in our hometowns (heck, even in my own mind), it was relieving to finally hit turf. At the days end, we are here to perform - sure the environment and the stage has altered; but the game we are playing remains the same. It is the same game, albeit improvements in the level, I played at BCS, Eastern, and UNC. It is the same game I played with my sisters in the backyard; its the same game I watched my sisters play in college; it is the same game I have played for years; so that is why when I hit the turf, I feel comfort - because that is where I have always been and that is where I am meant to be. Now, it doesn't mean it always going to smell like roses on the turf - but being so far away from the USA, the field has become home. . .