A U G U S T 1 6 , 2 0 0 6
The University of Portland's soccer season starts August 25, 2006. To say that I am excited would be a massive understatement. After the Timbers' dismal season and a disappointing World Cup, I cannot wait to finally see some truly great soccer played by an exceptional team. Although I'll have to wait a little while to actually see a game since UP start their season with a road trip and don't have their first home game until September 8th.
Of course, UP are the defending (undefeated!) national champs, but there's a little bit of question as to how UP will do this year. They lost their star player (Christine Sinclair had to go and graduate... Grumble) and some people are a little worried about how that will affect the team, but eight of UP's starters are returning, four of which gained national team experience this summer, and the incoming freshmen look great, so the team will do fine. That and 3 of my favorite players are returning - Cori Alexander (gk), Megan Rapinoe (f), and Lisa Sari (mf) - so I'm happy.
And a bit of trivia... UP midfielder Lisa Sari is from my hometown and she graduated from the same hell hole, er, high school I did. Although I'm a wee bit older than Lisa, which is evidenced by the fact that my high school didn't have soccer teams back when I was there. But the city did have a great youth soccer league, which is what I played in.
HOME | ARCHIVES
|