FC Gold Pride Matters to 9 year old Soccer Monkey

There is no sense in me trying to improve upon what my daughter had to say about the possibility of 'her team' FC Gold Pride folding this November 15. Her words say it all:

Why FC Gold Pride is Important to Me.

FC Gold Pride is important to me because it is fun and because I spend time with my dad. We go to the games together.

STOP the Demise of WPS Team FC Gold Pride

Yesterday, the U9 Soccer Monkeys had a guest coach, Kim Yokers, midfielder for FC Gold Pride, our Bay Area Women's Pro Soccer team. I'm sure they have fun when their regular coach (me) is conducting practice but this session was something completely different. I know they enjoyed it as their smiles were not fake, but I also know they have no idea how special it was.

I arranged for the midfielder to come conduct a practice session because I wanted all of the other team members and their parents to experience the inspiration my daughter has gained from WPS. I had no idea the timing would be so critical.

No Flat Feet! or how to be Champions just like FC Gold Pride

It's official. FC Gold Pride have earned the title of WPS Champions. After a memorable regular season campaign with a 16-3-5 record, they sealed the deal against the Philly Cheesesteaks at Pioneer Stadium on September 26.

With a near sell out crowd on hand (I think they sold all but 175 seats or so), fans witnessed some great possession soccer, quality footwork and some great finishing.

WPS, Our Turn to Thank You on Sep 26!

As FC Gold Pride played it's last regular game for the 2010 season, I have never felt so appreciated as a fan. I've been to numerous so called fan appreciation events and this wasn't even billed as such.

In years of following Major League Baseball as a child, I've never once caught a foul ball, never once met a player or secured an autograph, never once felt half as important as a fan as I do now for FC Gold Pride.

Perhaps I feel appreciated because I've actually had the players thank me for supporting the team. Perhaps it's because they stretched out a huge banner to thank the fans for coming out. No the real reason lies in what these professional women have done to inspire my daughter.

FC Gold Pride Plays Best Game Ever (according to my daughter).

I grew up attending San Francisco Giants baseball and spent most games toting my mitt in anticipation of that random foul ball. Baseball was cool like that. When the ball went into the stands it was yours to keep. Never mind that at 8 years old you were more likely to duck for cover when the line drive came soaring your way. Soccer is typically different in that there is an unwritten etiquette of returning any balls that are kicked into the stands back on to the field. I suppose this is one of the small elements that keeps the on field action flowing (little or no time spent looking for another game ball). WPS manages to deliver the best of both worlds.

Big Dreams as Monkeys are Proud to support the Pride

The 2010 WPS season has kicked off and with it, I am reminded why this league is so important to young women everywhere.

I recall attending sporting events as a young boy with my father and the feeling I got when seeing the same games I played in the school yard being played professionally. Endless big dreams of inspiration were gained from those experiences. I realized that there was indeed a point to practicing hard at something. I think now that much of the excitement was off the field rather than on it.

Your Daughter is Calling You!

Attention Soccer moms and dads, your daughter is counting on you.

Once upon a time, there was the WUSA. With stars like Mia Hamm and Julie Foudy, the women of the WUSA gave the women of tomorrow a positive role model and objective to strive for. They gave these girls a reason to work harder for continuous improvement as well as a drive not to give up.

Sadly, as we all know the WUSA folded amidst financial ruin leaving a void in Women's pro sports and in the hearts of countless young fans.

They Call it The Beautful Game

Football. The Beautiful Game. Not the pointed oval American game, but the one we call soccer - where you actually use your foot.

Why has it become so important to me and why is it so "beautiful"? Some say it is beautiful because of the spectacle... The way the game flows... the way a group of players work together, coordinate passes and move the ball up field.