Aug. 11, 2010

This summer, I had the great opportunity to play soccer overseas in Slovakia. It was an amazing experience that taught me about a whole different side of the game. I was able to practice and also play in some games with a men's team in a small village called Petrovany. Although we didn't have the luxury of nice and numerous balls, pennies, cones or even nets for the goals, we had talented players, a great coach and most importantly, players who lived for the game.

However, before the real fun began, I had to prove myself to the guys. They needed to know I would go in hard for tackles and do what my position demanded, just as well as any of them. This took a week or so. I also learned quickly that I could not be shy and I needed to use the little Slovak I do know to demand the ball, and communicate to my teammates quickly and clearly. Once my confidence grew, I noticed an immediate impact on and off the field. The guys trusted me with the ball and were quick to criticize and compliment my play.

It is, however, a different game then we play in the U.S. In the states, we tend to do a lot more passing and moving, whereas in Europe many teams depend more on individuals taking on opponents in a one vs. one situation. This was hard for me because, as a defender, this is not my forte. I was forced to either develop this skill and confidence very quickly or sit the bench.

Also, because money was an issue we didn't have much opportunity to play full field during practices. Since we were practicing in such small spaces, first touch became the name of the game. I learned quickly that if I settled the ball more than two feet in front of me, it would not be there for long. I learned the importance of valuing the ball in all circumstances. The team who values the ball more is the team that will persevere.

It also reminded me that soccer is a spontaneous and creative game in every sense of the word. From playing a spontaneous pick up game right after just eating a ton of yummy pierogies and knedla to making risky runs out of the defending half. Playing in Slovakia reminded me that soccer is about taking chances, making mistakes, and getting better from them. The game is creatively put together and taken apart, not robotic.

Being in Europe for the World Cup was another experience in itself. It was awesome to talk, in extremely broken Slovak, to players about the different teams and styles of play. After practices and games we would walk to the town sports bar where we would watch a cup game, nagging each other about who was better or worse. Ten or fifteen of us would crowd around a little TV, fidgeting until the game was finally over. The city next to Petrovany, Presov, had a large screen where all the games were shown. Since it was Slovakia's first time in the World Cup ever as an independent nation (and not part of Czechoslovakia), the country was overtaken by the game.

My experience of playing overseas renewed my love for the game of soccer. I was taken in with open arms by people who could barely understand my horrible Slovak and given a chance. I met many people who are and always will be life long fans of soccer. Every Sunday, almost every person from the village gathered around the Petrovany field. The fans had an undying love for the game and you could see it in their eyes as they crouched over the fence trying to catch every play.

Also, since women's soccer is not popular in Slovakia, I was the first women soccer player that many of the fans and players had ever met. The children loved it. They cheered loudly at the games for me and even came to watch practices. At first I was very nervous because I wanted to be great for them and to encourage, especially the girls, that there are no boundaries for them in this game. After talking to a wise person, I realized it is most important to show my sincere love, passion and desire for the game.

Probably one of the coolest times was when some of the little kids also began hanging out at the pitch on the weekends and cheered me on while I ran sprints (which were very helpful and motivating). It became a little tradition that, after some practices, the kids would follow us home through the village on their bikes.

It was an extremely humbling experience to play with not only such talented players but with people who are true fans of the beautiful game. I hope to return to Slovakia and give back to the youth the beautiful game that I love.