The Generation Gap
- Posted 8 months ago|
- 0 comments
Hey, wanted to check in and give you an update as we've made some great progress as a team together. A couple of good learning experiences in the exhibition games. I'm having a blast with the women on this team and I think they're having fun with me around as well. We've definitely got a couple of generations represented, which is pretty cool.
You know, these younger players had more soccer experience from a coaching perspective than I had growing up. My dad, god bless him, he was my coach growing up and he didn't know anything about soccer.
Whereas they've always had a national team and role models to look up to, they've had more of a soccer environment their whole soccer careers. So that is definitely to their advantage. They've probably played more important or more high-level games as a younger player than I had. You have to remember that when I was growing up, there was no youth national soccer teams. There were no international opportunities.
But I think what I'm lucky to have now is some perspective. No matter what people say, that really makes a difference. They say well, "Oh you're older." Well, I see things better. "Well, you're slower." Maybe, but I make better decisions.
Believe it or not, I feel like I know the game better now than I ever have. And that helps me to make good decisions. So it's a balance. Let's be honest, I was never the fastest player and I was never the slowest player, so I feel like I'm in that same category now anyways.
But yes, I'm having a blast. And while it may be a bit strange that some of my teammate grew up watching me or looking at me as a role model (As a few have told me), this is my perspective... when I get onto the soccer field, whether it's at practice or at a clinic or game, I feel like I'm 16 again or 24 years old playing for the national team again. I've always had this great sense of youth and excitement and nervousness in a good way when I get onto the soccer field. So right now, at this stage in my life, I know that I'm in the right place because I have that feeling again.
You know, these younger players had more soccer experience from a coaching perspective than I had growing up. My dad, god bless him, he was my coach growing up and he didn't know anything about soccer.
Whereas they've always had a national team and role models to look up to, they've had more of a soccer environment their whole soccer careers. So that is definitely to their advantage. They've probably played more important or more high-level games as a younger player than I had. You have to remember that when I was growing up, there was no youth national soccer teams. There were no international opportunities.
But I think what I'm lucky to have now is some perspective. No matter what people say, that really makes a difference. They say well, "Oh you're older." Well, I see things better. "Well, you're slower." Maybe, but I make better decisions.
Believe it or not, I feel like I know the game better now than I ever have. And that helps me to make good decisions. So it's a balance. Let's be honest, I was never the fastest player and I was never the slowest player, so I feel like I'm in that same category now anyways.
But yes, I'm having a blast. And while it may be a bit strange that some of my teammate grew up watching me or looking at me as a role model (As a few have told me), this is my perspective... when I get onto the soccer field, whether it's at practice or at a clinic or game, I feel like I'm 16 again or 24 years old playing for the national team again. I've always had this great sense of youth and excitement and nervousness in a good way when I get onto the soccer field. So right now, at this stage in my life, I know that I'm in the right place because I have that feeling again.
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