USWNT open practice today, rundown?

Anyone care to give a rundown of the practice today from Coach Pia? What did the champs work on?

Was there any interaction with the crowd, who braved the cold?

(Some of us could not get off of work or school).

santos.l.halper wrote:Anyone care to give a rundown of the practice today from Coach Pia? What did the champs work on?

Was there any interaction with the crowd, who braved the cold?

(Some of us could not get off of work or school).

Turned sunny and comfortable with a sweater and light jacket. Not a huge amount of interacting with the crowd till towards the end of the practice. The team then jogged up to the side and pressed the flesh. Being herd animals, just about everyone was on the east side of the stadium, but a pretty good and very enthusiastic crowd. I was near the keepers warming up and Hope Solo looked like she hurt even though she was working hard. She made a flying dive onto her hurt shoulder. Ouch. At the end of the practice, she had ice on that hamstring and wasnt/couldn't (?) run a lap around the field with her team. I know she's a crowd pleaser but might be time to start Barnhart or at least put her in at the half?

I thought it was an excellent session. Really worked on fundamentals, Small sided short field 4v4 with keepers. Wide play down the side for centered balls. Its was all ball movement, one touch, two touch work.

It kept my DD's attention nearly the whole time. Lots of Ooohhs and AAAHHss with the shots on goal.

It was actually great sitting in the sun, barely felt the cold. Now I wish I would have bought tickets for the East side for tomorrow. The shadow on the West wont help with the cold late tomorrow afternoon.

Yahoo!!!! Sold out, women's soccer, that rocks. Now I don't feel so silly getting my tickets first thing when they went on sale. Midfield, Row 5, East (bringing sunglasses).

Does anyone know if you can bring a small sign to hold up? My 7 year old is dying to make one.

The wife and daughter skipped school to go watch... I haven't heard a rundown of the practice, but daughter texted me twice to say thank you for letting her go watch and how awesome it was.... she loved it.

Article says 3,000 or so there to watch. Laughing because a few little truants were named in the article..... busted girlies !

tomorrow will be a great atmosphere... very excited about the sell-out.

USA203 wrote:Yahoo!!!! Sold out, women's soccer, that rocks. Now I don't feel so silly getting my tickets first thing when they went on sale. Midfield, Row 5, East (bringing sunglasses).

Does anyone know if you can bring a small sign to hold up? My 7 year old is dying to make one.

I don't know why not. There were several that had signs today and they got alot of media attention (cameras and video cameras asking if they could get a shot of them). My DD intends to make a few for tomorrow.
Thought it was a great practice and was impressed with the turnout. My DD was engaged pretty much the whole time which is tough for an 11yo to do! Only disappointment for my DD was that most of the players only signed autographs for about 20 mins at most. Abby I don't think was out there for more than 5 min if that and Hope was only down toward the southeast side (the opposite of where we were) so she didn't get either and those were the 2 she wanted most.

Slakemoth wrote:The wife and daughter skipped school to go watch... I haven't heard a rundown of the practice, but daughter texted me twice to say thank you for letting her go watch and how awesome it was.... she loved it.

Article says 3,000 or so there to watch. Laughing because a few little truants were named in the article..... busted girlies !

tomorrow will be a great atmosphere... very excited about the sell-out.

The little girls who were busted enjoyed getting busted. One of the girls in the Article was sick with a bad case of Socceritis which was only sovled by getting a Hope Solo Jersey signed. It was a good expereince for all. I was a little shocked at the turnout since it was in the middle of the day but quite a few kids, parents, coaches, took some time off to let their children have a time to get close to the national team. The session was crisp and always moving. The weather was pretty good. Now tomorrow at the game we might not be so lucky. Dang Feb, I see the tread asking about outodoor in Feb in Texas, well you may have another ask the same question about Soccer in Texas from let's say May through September and if were unlucky maybe even parts of October. Let's bundle up and enjoy the game now where is my hot cocco.

Lots of mini fans enjoying the day. It was a nice, well constructed practice, weather turned out to be perfect and the level of excitement from the young fans was remarkable! Had to have made the US Womens team pleased! Most of the players tried their very best to sign autographs along the side of the field. The main ones just did a few, but to be fair they had interviews prior as well. I had a disappointed dd as well because of missing out on a main autograph, but they are intense athletes preparing for a match! The team as a whole was very kind and grateful of its fans! Alex Morgan was top notch to the kids. Excited for tomorrow! Our entire girls team will be there with smiles, cheers and hand warmers!

Is the game on tv by chance?

soccerfam wrote:Is the game on tv by chance?

Streaming on ussoccer.com. No cable TV coverage.

The team could have spent more time with the fans. You had to buy a US soccer supporter yearly package at fifty five dollars to get a arm band for the field level. If you did not make field level you could'nt get autographs. Alex Morgan would not sign jerseys that didnt have her #13.

The USWNT practiced outside of the main stadium several times this week. A group from our team went and watched them on FCD Field #8 on Wednesday afternoon. Talk about an up close view! Several team members were great about greeting fans and signing autographs on whatever, especially Alex Morgan. She made a very positive impression on our girls and parents!

especially Alex Morgan. She made a very positive impression on our girls and parents!

Classy player!

The BL team stopped to watch before heading to Waco. My sweet retiring DD somehow got Abby Wambach's attention and made eye contact. With that great "encouragement" she went over the rail and dropped down to the field. She almost made it to Abby when security nabbed her and walked her out of the area. At least they didn't pitch her into the parking lot DD was jazzed. We were late getting our tickets but very much looking forward to today.

USA203 wrote:

especially Alex Morgan. She made a very positive impression on our girls and parents!

Puffy player!

Fixed your post

Women on TV at http://www.ussoccer.com/Live/WNT-vs-New-Zealand-Feb-11-2012.aspx

what a dramatic finish....

Mission accomplished! DD had time of her life! USA.. USA...

My DDs had a great time too. On a sidenote - I would like to shoutout AT&T for presenting a live video online feed for those wanting to support and follow the United States Women's National Team.

I frown on the local TV networks that wanted to show "Perfect Stranger", Rugby, and I can't recall what channel 8 and channel 11 were showing. Especially when it was a sold out crowd (20,677), not all kids could go to the game but would have loved to watch it on TV locally. Some Executives need to rethink covering "meaningful" events with their local communities at these channels. I would think this country would like to get behind our US TEAM. I would expect at least ONE of them to step to the plate. That's just disappointing.

To the fans - way to represent North Texas. YOU GUYS ROCK.
To the US Team - Good luck on the road ahead. TEXAS as got your back. Go for the GOLD!!!

Til next time.