Let them Play—and be Incredible

I’ve read the reports criticizing our U.S. women’s soccer team’s win over Thailand with sadness and incredulity. I also watched the game. What I witnessed was a team playing on the national stage in a professional manner, playing to win and celebrating each member’s success.

While I understand the draw in being the one who chastises the team for scoring too many goals, I also realize that we’re not watching our eight-year-olds compete; we’re watching professional athletes compete. What is considered too much of a lead in professional sports, especially in a tournament where goals count? I’ve seen my share of professional football and basketball games with massive scoring inequities–and those extra points didn’t even matter.

If you’ve ever played a sport and been on the receiving end of a public spanking, nothing will change the embarrassment other than redemption in the next game. The worst feeling–other than the humiliation of losing spectacularly–is being toyed with by the other team. If the U.S. team chose to play keep away from Thailand rather than playing their game, Thailand would be guaranteed mortification on a world scale. The respectful action is to play the game.

The matter of celebration (too excited, showy, what number goal is appropriate, etc.) remains a mystery as well. Can you even imagine what it would be like to score a goal in the World Cup? I’m not even in the same oxygen circle as these women, and I can visualize it to some extent. Pugh is playing her first World Cup; should she keep her excitement to herself even though it’s her first goal? Even if it was her tenth goal, should she play it cool? Is that what we celebrate? The athletes who are able to make it seem like it’s no big deal, or the ones who are so utterly beside themselves that the have to dance, or scream, or slide on their knees? Would the Thai players be more impressed if it didn’t seem that hard to score on them?

Lastly, why are we tearing down our own team? They’ve played one amazing game, and we’ve got people saying they’ve ruined the spirit of the game? 1. Give me a break! We have a talented group who came into the Cup and won sensationally, and you think they’ve ruined the spirit of competition? 2. Who are you rooting for, anyway? Don’t put a damper on their win because they won by a landslide. There’s nothing wrong with being sympathetic for the losing team, but it doesn’t require admonishing the winning team. 3. For crying out loud! Cheer our women on! Support them! Let them know that they were and are glorious!

Our women’s team plays Chile on Sunday at 12:00 EDT. Grab some snacks, tune in, and cheer on some of the most remarkable athletes our country has to offer. That’s it–just be phenomenal fans.

Quote of the Day:

“Be thankful for quality competitors who push you to your limit.” Michael Josephson