World Cup 2010

I love the sport of soccer. Once every four years, the mecca of all soccer events takes place somewhere in the world, where the best 32 teams on the planet battle it out in an effort to represent their country proudly on a global stage. Now, I don't just love soccer every four years like some "soccer fans". I love soccer all the time.

I played soccer from the young age of 6, beginning in the house leagues, growing into Washington Area Girls Soccer (WAGS) where I traveled all around to compete against some of the areas best teams and athletes. I played 4 years of soccer in high school, one year of J.V. and 3 years of varsity. I was honored to be the Annandale Atoms Varsity Soccer Co-Captain my senior year of high school. I even went on to play intramural soccer at Virginia Tech. Needless to say, soccer is in my blood.

The World Cup is like a soccer fan's dream. I have been looking forward to World Cup 2010 since... well....since World Cup 2006 ended. The event almost has the same feeling of electricity and excitement as the Olympics, except it's only 1 sport. I love the inspiring and heroic story lines, the cultural pride that exudes from players and fans, and the competitive do-or-die nature of the sport. It excites me to see casual sports fans take more of an interest in the sport of soccer and follow the tournament. It gives me chills to see the national pride demonstrated across the country. But this World Cup was unforgettable for a different reason...

I grew up in a neighborhood in Northern Virginia called North Springfield. It was (and still is) the coolest neighborhood in Annandale High School's district. The "coolest" kids lived in North Springfield. North Springfield Swim Club (NSSC) was THE place to be during the warm summer months. Kids, friends of my mine included, left their own neighborhood pools to lifeguard at our pool.

There was a boy that grew up right down the street from me. I can almost see his childhood house through the trees by my parents' house. His name is Clarence Goodson. Clarence is 2 years older than me (I will always remember, because he and I happen to share the same birthday). He swam on the NSSC swim team with me. He went to all the same schools as me. He played with me and other neighborhood kids on a daily basis. In fact, one of the things we did most was play soccer. We played in my front yard, our neighbors' front yard, all over the place. Who would have guessed where all those pick-up games in our front yards would lead him someday?

To make a long story short(er), Clarence Goodson was named to the United States Mens National World Cup Soccer Team in early June 2010. Someone I know. Someone I grew up with. Someone I played soccer with. After all his years of hardwork and dedication, he achieved the ultimate soccer player's dream- to represent their country in the World Cup. Clarence was a substitute on defense and unfortunately never got the opportunity to see playtime while in South Africa. But I hope he knows how proud we all are of him. And how special it was for all of US to see his dreams come true. When the USA lost to Ghana in the round of 16, eliminating them from World Cup 2010, I had tears in my eyes. Not because we lost (okay, maybe a little because we lost) but because I knew it was the end of his World Cup experience... probably forever. Clarence will be 32 come World Cup 2014. He probably won't make the team again. But for a few great weeks- he got to live the dream. Congrats Clarence! You've made North Springfield so proud!