Time in Turkey

Well our time here in Turkey is winding down and I am both bummed (or bummbed) and excited.  Turkey is absolutely beautiful and I suggest that all of you come if you ever have the opportunity.  It has been full of adventure, laughs, soccer, good food, new languages and perfect beaches.  As our time here is winding down and many of our players are departing for camp with their national teams we have the last few days here off.  So we did what any girls would do... sit on the beach, play some volley ball, swim in the Mediterranean, and go into Belek.

The funniest of these was our beach volleyball game.... we woke up and went to see what was on our daily schedule and found that on our morning agenda was a mandatory meeting on the beach.  This was stressful because we all took it as a beach run.... but when we got down there we saw a volleyball and a court set up!  Naturally, we got our game faces on and prepared to play....

 Njoya by the net and Nana rolling up her sleeves...

 The beginning of the match (this was my team... the "good guys")

 During a rally (this was the other team... the "bad guys")

 I failed....

 And then got sand in my face and down my shirt...

 and so, Njoya and Simone were laughing at me

 Then a group of men who look like the man standing behind Davis here decided they wanted to join our game....

 So it became a game of girls vs. boys... look at the man in the red skivvies in the back... i think he is funny.

We won obviously.

But what we didnt get pictures of (unfortunately) was the guy that was pictured in the tiny blue man bikini suit while he was playing.... let me describe it for you.... He was not very coordinated or maybe his glasses were too shaded and he couldnt see because he was diving or jumping at every ball even if he didnt need to be.  His jumping was often times into someone else and then he would fly in the sand landing in some awkward position with his legs flying in different directions.  But the funniest was when he served he would throw the ball up and then jump up to hit the ball... but one of his legs would kick out straight in front of him so he was doing a spread eagle over hand volley ball serve.  If by some odd chance he got the ball over the net none of us could return it because we were either trying to look away from seeing anything fly out of his tiny man bikini or we were laughing too hard to see the ball make it over the net.  It was hysterical (aka hilarious... annabelle allen) to say the least....!

We have a fishing trip planned tomorrow so I will put up some pictures after that!!

Cheers!

Danielle

Game 4

Well, up to this point there have been some crazy things that have happened.... but yesterday, our third match blew past ALL expectations I had about professional soccer.  I would like to apologize to anyone who witnessed the atrocities against the beautiful game of soccer yesterday....

We were playing a Swedish team called Turezo.  It is the team the famous Marta plays for.  This game was made up to be our toughest match while in Turkey.  Before the game we had a meeting to discuss tactics and we were told that Turezo is very aggressive and will press us the entire match. We went through our typical warmup that consists of passing and sitting, no stretching or running.  I have learned to take this time to mentally warmup my muscles... its proven to be partially successful but mostly useless.

The game started and our coach was right, they were very aggressive and pressed us from back to front, but that left them exposed in the back.  Within the first 30 minutes we had 3 good chances to score to their 1, one of which I should have scored on! It was exciting and surprising to see how well we were dealing with their pressure. But when the 30 minute mark hit all hell broke loose....

They had a corner and our center back and one of their players went up for a header and they hit heads.  The ref didnt call anything (probably fair) but our coach thought it should have been a foul.  He started yelling and throwing his hands in the air.  He was coming out onto the field to yell at the ref.  Their girls apparently were not too happy with what he said because they all started yelling back at him.  I was standing on the other side of the field talking with a swedish girl, watching the situation as it began to escalate.  Girls were getting mad and starting to yell at our coach in their different languages and he was yelling back at them or at the ref.

So our center back got taken off the field and the game resumed... for about 30 seconds.  The ball went out of bounds for a throw in and Marta went to pick it up but it was our ball... so our player tried to grab it from Marta and she threw our player's hands off.... so then my coach started yelling at Marta.  Then about 2 seconds later Marta went into bit of a nasty cleats up tackle (but it was clean and got all ball) and the ref called it and gave her a yellow card. Meanwhile our coach went berserk on Marta and got in her face... this is when all hell broke loose.

Everyone got in everyone's faces and was yelling in different languages. I had not moved from the original spot I was standing in on the other side of the field with the Swedish girl.  But now my eyes were wide and my jaw was dropped.  I was looking from my coach to Marta, I saw their players sprinting at our players and our players sprinting at them and their coaches were running to ref to get our coach thrown out....  ***Note, I didnt understand a word that was being said****.... but then all of a sudden my team was walking towards our bench.  I finally heard traces of English saying "well... that's it." "game over".... and I said "wait, what?" And before I had my question answered I was yanked by my jersey off the field and into the bus.  Turezo was standing on the field still as we drove away.

It happened within a matter of 2 minutes and our game was ended.  I have never seen anything like it.

We finished the 32 minutes tied 0-0.  I have never been forced to quit a match like that... our coach said that it was getting too aggressive and it was dangerous, which it might have been, but I would like to take that chance by playing.

So that was our last game here in Turkey and the remainder of the time we have training... boooooo! But it was one hell of a story to come back with! hahaha... in retrospect it was hilarious because I had no idea what was going on!  Even hours after the game I felt flabbergasted by what had occurred.  It was confusing and disappointing. I wish we could have played.  I also wish I had film of the game because it would be a blast to go back and watch someday... I think you all would have enjoyed it... haha!!

Hope all is well state side!

Cheers

Dani

Pictures so far!!!

My Facebook Pictures so far!

Game 3

Last night we played our third match in 6 days.  We have not had much rest in between because, despite it being a "recovery day" or a "game day" we still have two things every day.  If it is a game day we have a two hour morning practice, if it is a recovery day the people who played have a 30 minute jog and then an hour of punting and then everyone has a second practice as well.  Needless to say our legs are a bit shot.  It showed in our performance last night.  We played a team from Turkey and we were the better side by far but we ended in a tie 1-1... disappointing result.  We opened up the scoring about 5 minutes into the game and it seemed like it was going to be a really easy match.  We created and had a lot of opportunities but didnt capitalize on any of them.  With about 3 minutes left they scored a sloppy goal and the game unfortunately ended that way.  It was freezing and I think the cold weather added to our tired bodies and pretty much minimized all movement.... not good for a game.

Having said that, the team is beginning to look and function more like a team.  We are getting used to playing with different styles and our bodies are adjusting to the training.  Today we get the day to rest! Finally!  I think everyone is going to take it by sitting on the beach, reading, sleeping and what ever else our bodies need.

I have made some great friends already despite the communication barriers.  I have become closest with the Swedish and the Brasilian (Ximel and Simone, respectively) and the two girls from Cameroon (Njoya and Augustine).  They are all such positive people and have helped make me feel comfortable in some very uncomfortable situations.  Njoya and Augustine will be playing in the Olympics for the country in a few months and I hope to be able to go watch them play!

I give you their backgrounds because I have picked up on some funny cultural differences that I felt I should share with you.... I want to note here that the things I say are not complaints nor are they faults I am pointing out... I am simply stating what I have noticed and have learned to appreciate about our cultures.

First I will share with you what I have learned they think about Americans...
1) We cant play soccer, we actually play soccer like a sprinting horse with blinders
2) We are however, advanced with our physical training and fitness routines
3) We dont know any other languages
4) We miss America if we go anywhere else
5) We like to buy expensive things all the time
6) We like salads

Cameroons...
1) They love rice and chicken (breakfast, lunch or dinner)
2) They LOVE apple juice (a glass at breakfast, a couple glasses at lunch and a gallon at dinner)
3) They dont see the need to say please and thank you
4) If you are standing in front of them in an elevator it is best to step to the side and let them out first, other wise, expect a shove in the back forcing you out as soon as you can fit out the doors.
5) "I speak you" means "I am telling you", "I told you", "I tell you",  "he said to me", "he said to you", "they are telling you", or "they told you".... you must take it in the context of the words that were prior to or follow "I speak you".
6) They love taking pictures of themselves

Sweds...
1) They talk like they are holding a gum ball in the back of their tongues
2) They love sandwiches
3) They love appetizer foods
4) They are very happy, social people
5) They love desserts
6) They think sitting in the sun is a good idea... just like you do Brittany Kerridge... let me give a hint to fair skinned people here... sitting in the sun will do two things for you... 1) Probably give you skin cancer and 2) Make you red but not tan.

Brasillians...
1) They all personally know Marta, Ronaldinho, and Roberto Carlos
2) They love bread
3) They say their R's and X's like SH's... My favorite is when Simone says Ximel... We would pronounce it like Simel... but she says it like Shmell. That makes me think of my fellow Shms every time!  (By the way... hi guys! Shm, shm, shm!)
4) They too, are very happy people and ALL of them are good at soccer!
5) They love desserts
6) They love to sit in the sun as well... but it makes them tan

Jamaicans...
1) They do what they want
2) They like loud music
3) They love rice and chicken and fish
4) They are cold if it is less than 30 degrees C which is about 90 degrees F
5) They love Fruit Punch... no one in any other countries besides the US and Jamaica has Fruit Punch... so pineapple or cherry juice suffices.

Russians...
1) They dont like colorful foods
2) When you speak the Russian language you must frown your face to correctly pronounce the words... this makes it a very dreary language to attempt to speak
3) They like to think you can understand what they are saying, so the carry out full conversations with you and then say "pon-ee-mite?" Which means understand? I have never once said yes.
3) After a few successful games of charades they begin to warm up to you
4) They like routines
5) They like designated spots in lines

Turks...
1) Traffic signals are more like guidelines
             -You know the scene in Blue Crush where the girls are driving on the opposite side of the road  
               as there is an oncoming car and it is made out like they are a bunch of crazies and being so          
               dangerous...?  That is a regular occurrence here.
2) They like to honk their car horns (in two short beeps) at anything: to say hello to a stranger, to signal they are not stopping at the upcoming red light, to signal they are merging into the wrong side of the road, to signal they have made up a parking space, or just to hear the sound of their own horn.
3) They like to attempt to speak English with anyone who knows how
4) They are very generous, kind people.
5) They LOVE tea and coffee
6) Turkish delights are the most delicious dessert in the world.

So, the next time you find yourself in a group with people from many different cultures, realize that just because you get shoved out of an elevator doesnt mean that you were in the way, it just means get out of the way next time...

Nastarovia (Russian), Sauge (Portugese), Skal (Swedish), Sante (French), Cheers!

Dani

Game 2

Now that things have settle in I dont have that much new material to talk to you about.  Our days are focused around three things: sleeping, eating, and soccer.  I have found a bit of time to do a few other random things like take walks on the beach, attempt to learn Russian or Spanish or play my guitar. The youngest girl on the team is a Russian and I cant pronounce her name, so we have started calling her 'Baby'.... well her favorite song is Shakira's "Waka, Waka", which, through a game of charades I figured out she wanted me to learn... so that took up an hour of my day (which was exciting that there was something new to think about).  As everyone heard the guitar they came to listen and within a few minutes we had ourselves a multi cultural band.  I like to call us the Papillon Hallway Scoundrels, but no one else knows that, except you guys now, I suppose... Anyways, the Swedish girl (Ximel) is the singer, I am the guitarist and the Brasilian (Simone) and Baby are the dancers.  It is quite the spectacle.  I will consider posting a video link on here sometime after we have it down a little bit better.

A few nights ago we were rudely awakened by a mighty storm that was blowing in.  It literally sounded like a hurricane was hitting.  This hotel is not the most insulated place and the wind was whistling through every little crack.  Everything was creaking and the thunder sounded like it was going to just smash the hotel... and for those of you who dont know... loud sounds at night really scare me! So that was not fun to wake up to... but I bring this up because that storm forced us to the confines of this hotel for a few days.  We had a couple gym sessions, but really that just meant more boring time to do nothing.

But finally the weather let up today and we were able to play our second game.  We played the team in which I thought we were playing the first day, from Kazakhstan.  We won 3-1 pretty handedly.  The soccer was better and we looked more organized.  The referees were absolutely atrocious and that did not help either side because there was no flow to the game.  That was a bit frustrating, but it was good to come away with a win!

I have heard that our next game will be on Friday, but as I said I have found that nothing is absolute! So be sure to check in and find out.

I do have one small story for you... The night of the big storm I was trying to fall back asleep after we first heard the loud thunder.  As you know I have my guitar here... I keep it next to my bed leaned up against the wall so that it is sort of protected from getting hit by something... Anyways, as I was trying to go back to sleep I had my left arm folded so it was under my head.  I dont remember falling back asleep but apparently I did because I was again rudely awakened by a loud sound... I had moved my head to try to get the creak out of my neck and I felt something fall off the bed and it fell right into my guitar. It made a really loud, terrible sound..like a bang/strum on my guitar strings.  It woke both me and my roommate up.  So I looked over to see what had fallen and I saw my arm laying on my guitar.  Because it was folded under my head it had cut off all the circulation to my arm and it was completely dead.  I couldnt feel anything nor could I move it.  So I had to use my other hand to pick my arm up off my guitar and move it back onto the bed.  I laughed at myself.

Thats all that I have for you... but the real news is that we have played two games, I have started and played both and we have not lost yet!!! Wahoooo, good start to a professional career!!

Cheers!!

Dani  

Game 1

We had our first game last night and for many of us it was the first time we had been put into any sort of game situation with this team.  Prior to yesterday we have played handball, worked on some punting, done some shooting, done a lot of one touch passing and a few dribbling drills.  But yesterday was our first game situation... it showed.  We played a team from Norway and the game ended in a tie 4-4.

We opened up the scoring because Norway scored an own goal.  Shortly after, Norway went up 2-1. We responded just before half as one of the girls from Cameroon scored but was then injured, so we went into half time tied 2-2.  Our coach was not pleased with our performance, but we were happy that it was tied.  In the second half I scored the third goal after I chased down a long punt from our keeper and was able to beat the goalie and their center back. We scored again on a bomb from out outside back, the other Cameroon girl making it 4-2.  From confusion and mistakes we let in two goals to end the game 4-4.  It was crazy to say the least.

Overall the soccer from either teams was not very good, but the game was fast and exposing.  I felt good about my performance and was very pleased with the opportunity to start and play a full match.  I thought I took advantage of that opportunity.

We played in the next city over from Belek, called Antalya.  So we had to take a bit of a bus ride back which was uncomfortable and smelly.  But overall everyone was satisfied with a draw considering it was our first match together.  I have found out that our schedule is more like guidelines and there is not real daily itinerary, so we do not know when the next match is.

We got the morning off and spent it doing what ever we felt was best for our bodies.  Now I am sitting here writing this not knowing if we will have training in an hour, so I am going to check and if not go take a nice walk on the beach!

Cheers!

Dani    

How it feels to be a Pro

One of the best parts about being a professional at something is the amount of free stuff you get.  I can imagine how awesome it would be to be a professional chef because you get free delicious food, or a professional Apple employee (I think professional is implied when "employee" is present, but just to clarify) because you get free Apple stuff... My favorite professional is Samantha Brown on the Travel Channel because all she does is travel to sweet places, stay in nice hotels, eat good food AND she gets to be on TV for it... I cant be sure but I would guess everything is free for her.  Being a professional women's soccer player is similar, except we dont get to keep any of the free stuff we get.  I guess you could call it "borrowing", if you will.

When I was packing to leave I packed all of the essentials...some sweats, my favorite cleats and shinguards, my running shoes and some other random things.  I was banking on a training uniform, some new cleats (because mine are quite worn) some runners and what ever else I would need to play.  I will just say it flat out....I did get all of those things but lets just say it was not exactly gear from UP.

  

Pictured here is my rather fitted training kit... As I signed my contract without being seen by the Russians, they probably assumed that I was built something like Abby Wombach because I received size 10 mens shoes and size XL shorts.  But the shirt is size small...?  

You cant tell by this picture because my hands are in the way but if I were not to be giving you two thumbs up, you would see some nice pit stains from the players who used that uniform prior to me.  Even after washing the jersey multiple times it smells rather dank.  

However, it is not too bad because the jersey never gets shown... and here is why. The Russians, as we all know, live in a very cold country.  I am assuming that the common cold is rampant there because they take a lot of precautions for keeping healthy... and by precautions I mean layers of clothing.  For practice we must wear the above seen uniform layered under some 3/4 pants and a sweatshirt, layered under some pants and a rain jacket, with gloves and a hat.  

If we were in Russia or even the morning training at the Rush's "Center" it would be great... but we are in Turkey where it is 65-70 degrees every day. It is clear to me why the jersey smells the way it does.  After our warmup run the first practice I went to take off my rain jacket (because it was a blue sky and warm) but was told "NO, NO" as my jacket was being zipped back up by the assistant coach.  By the end of practice I looked like a raisin and my lips were outlined in white.  After that first day, when I unzipped my jacket a puff of air blew out the neck hole right into my face... I actually coughed because of it.... I learned after that first time that if you pull the jacket over your head the smell goes towards your feet instead of your face. 

Before I left one of the coaches at the Rush, Carlo told me "Do not be disappointed by the equipment, its not like here"... boy was he right.  I am lucky I brought my cleats because I would have paddles strapped to my feet if I were wearing the ones they gave me.  It is probably something like this for Lebron James or other professional athletes...right? I would guess that their jerseys really stink because boys smell worse than girls...

But in all seriousness, I say all of these things with a big smile on my face because I am being paid to play soccer (in some comfy clothes), travel the world, learn new languages, experience new cultures and try new things... what more could a professional want? 

We have our first game tomorrow against a team from Kazakhstan, I will be sure to let you all know how it goes!

Cheers!

Dani