Brandi Chastain

Hello everyone, hope you are all well.

I’m actually here in New York with a friend to pitch a couple of youth and tween-based television shows to the networks and had some free time to catch you up on what’s been going on. It’s a beautiful day here and I wonder if I didn’t bring the warm weather with me from California…

So we are starting to think about Jaden’s second birthday, which is coming up the second week of June. We had something for him last year, but this is the first party where he will actually be aware of what’s going on and get to interact with his friends. We’re thinking of bringing in some animals in and having a petting zoo out in the yard with a billygoat and a horse.

That’s right, there will be large animals on our lawn. Every time we go to the local zoo, he has a blast, so I think that’s the direction we’re heading in as of now. There is going to be one of those big, bouncy moonwalk trampoline things for the kids to jump on. We’ll also set up the Rock Band in the garage since this is a party as much for the adults and parents as it is for the kids. So this is going to be a pretty big deal, with lots of planning and thought that still needs to go into it.

I’ve also been traveling around the country a lot recently, offering soccer camps in a few different cities with more on the horizon. I absolutely love being on a soccer field and being around kids is such a wonderful experience. So to spread and share my love for the game is great for me, and I am focused on bringing enthusiasm to the game, every drill, every play, every minute. I still have such passion for the game and love getting to share that excitement with these kids. Who knows, I might be coming to your town soon.

So what else… well since my last Blog, the U.S. Women have qualified for the Olympics, which is great. I really am excited for the team to defend our gold medal. People ask if it’s going to be tough not being out there as this is the first Olympics with soccer that I won’t be participating in. It’s definitely going to be different for me not being there with a jersey on, but I’ve already begun to get used to my new role and separate the two in my mind.

I think the hardest part about being an analyst is not saying “we” or “our” when referring to the team. I think I can be objective and all, but this is always going to be my team and my country. I have former teammates and good friends out there and I want them to succeed. There are some new faces and younger players on the team, but they have their identity and have proven that they can beat the best teams in the world. So they have been tested, have some real experience behind them and I expect them to challenge and compete for the Gold. But that’s a long ways away and we’ve got time to talk about that.

In the meantime, the group putting together the new Women’s Professional Soccer League is making real progress, and we’re getting closer every day with a target kickoff in 2009. We’ve got seven cities nailed down and looking to secure the eighth to balance it out. So it’s all coming together and just another thing that’s been keeping me busy.

I hope you all are staying busy and active as well. Get outside, enjoy spring and be well! And of course don’t forget to post your favorite stuff here on weplay… I rounded up a couple new ones I’m going to post now and I’ve got more on the way. Until next time,

-Brandi