Oh, those glorious golden goal-scoring goddess. Look, I’m not the kind of person to go on and on about American exceptionalism. Honestly, I don’t think it exists as a singular concept. We all have the ability to be exceptional. Borders are just lines drawn on the ground. That said, I do believe in celebrating exceptionalism of all kinds when it happens. So, you know, congratu-fucking-lations Team USA! We could talk for hours about blown calls and bad calls. And certainly, there were both. But you can’t fault these ladies hearts. You can’t fault their fight. Their determination to leave every last drop of their humanness on the field. And that they did. And gold they won.
I have never been a sporty person, this is no secret. I’m more of the trip on air, spill my drink for no reason kind of person. But I sure do appreciate those who work and sweat and toil and persevere. Which, in part, is why I love the Olympics so much. The Olympics are the culmination of hard work and big dreams. It’s where tangible physical training and the ethereal human spirit meet to make 14 days of magic. I love it all from the parading of athletes into the arena to the extinguishing of the torch and promise that the youth of the world will reassemble in four years. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed the Olympics (minus some serious grumbles about programming schedules and the inability to avoid spoilers). And I’ve unabashedly enjoyed the women’s soccer competition. Was I an unapologetic homer? You bet I was. Am I in awe of all the countries’ teams and astonishing play? You better bet even more I was. Congratulations to all the teams, including bronze medalist Canada and silver medalist Japan.
And with that, let’s wallow in a little Team USA porn, shall we? Yes, we very much shall. Thank you, world. Let’s do it again in four year. Happy weekend, all.
Freeze Frame
Ohno She Di’int
Jump Jump
Old Glory
Power Lloyd
SGALGG
BONUS: Shirtless Pinoe: The Experience in Three Parts
BONUS BONUS: Hell, year, there’s a Party in the USA!
The freeze frame is amazing. Pity I lost the first goal though. Apparently the women's football final wasn't important enough to watch from the beginning in my country.
ReplyDeleteI couldn't wait for today and your homage to this team! So fun!
ReplyDeletehttps://twitter.com/swalshy9/status/233867934387298304/photo/1
ReplyDeletehttp://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m8h4cdreaE1rq4l2vo1_1280.jpg
http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m8h4cdreaE1rq4l2vo2_1280.jpg
Probably you should have these too.
thanks for all your hard work to keep us so pleasantly distracted...
That Party in the USA video is the most awkward, yet the most awesome thing I've ever seen.
ReplyDeleteOh, Abby and Amy!
LOL ditto Marianne's thoughts exactly.
ReplyDeleteSo I'm thinking...who SINGS that? I've heard it many times. Is that Jessie J? Um, nope, it's Myley Cyrus...but Jessie J wrote it. No wonder it sounds like one of her songs! Loved that video. Also, ya think a few of those girls might publicly come out one of these days???
ReplyDeleteWait.... isn't that the whole point of the Olympics, to root for your country's team (or for your chosen country's team if your country doesn't have a team playing?) I mean, yeah, also togetherness and not fighting (huh, guess the French basketball player didn't get that memo) and stuff too, but, really, it's a time where the rest of the world can't rag on the USA for cheering for USA teams! Go USA!!!! :D
ReplyDeletethanks, snarks for wishing congrats on the teams that got soccer medals!it is nice for some people to root for your team but really, in this day of easing of international borders and appreciating the great women athletes we have seen the past 2 weeks ..made me very happy to celebrate their efforts NO matter where they came from or represent.it was just as much fun or more to congratulate my friends on the Facebook who were often on opposing teams when they beat my team....why. not...one gets to know who is playing as North American feeds are obsessed with their own athletes. come to think of it...someday, I may face some of those athletes when they get old enough to compete in the Worlds Masters! Now,that would be fun....
ReplyDeleteThat was an awesome run! From thr first game to the gold, I was mesmerized. I am hooked on women's soccer now, for damn sure. Abby inspires me to attempt to get my ass in shape, and watching the sheer physicality of those women was completely amazing. The sportsmanship and the game they brought is something to be celebrated. Congratulations!
ReplyDeleteMinor point, and I only mention it because I loved it so much, Abby said she would leave her human-beingness on the fields of the UK.
I was lucky enough to go to some of the matches. As a team GB fan, seeing GB v Brazil was the highlight of my Olympics, but I thought the USA and Japan final was amazing and having the privilege to see Kelly Smith (GB) Abby Wambach (USA) and Marta (Brazil) play in London was unbelievable. Congrats to the USA, you were outstanding.
ReplyDeleteOne name: Melissa Tancredi
ReplyDeleteOne word: Sadist
When I saw Tancredi putting her arm around Abby's neck, I though I was gonna cry. And now I see this where she stomped on Lloyd's face.
ReplyDeletehttp://blog.sfgate.com/olympics/2012/08/07/canada%E2%80%99s-melissa-tancredi-got-away-with-stomping-on-carli-lloyd%E2%80%99s-head-during-semifinal/?plckOnPage=3&plckItemsPerPage=10&plckSort=TimeStampDescending
It was like, after US plays Canada, and they play Japan? Night and Day, hey?!! Japan has honor.
The way I publicly ship #USWNT, my country is a minute a way from disowning me. They make soccer relevant and oogling gorgeous buff bodies so much fun. Congrats USA for assembling such a killer team even without a league
ReplyDeleteTotally off topic, but on topic for the supremacy thing. The 4x400 womens final has just left me scared. I make running look walking backwards. Way to go girls!!!
ReplyDeleteNothing against these ladies, they played great, but as a Canadian the only girl I'll be crushing on is Christine Sinclair. She made us all extremely proud. Girl's got heart and a lot of guts, and I wish team USA had been a bit more respectful in their comments post-game (I'm looking at you, Hope Solo.)
ReplyDeleteI agree with Anonymous, Christine Sinclair will be the one I'm crushing on too. I can't wait for Canada/USA to meet up on the field again, maybe with an honorable ref we'll actually have a fair game between the two great teams next time.
ReplyDelete^I agree! I can't wait to see what happens when they play again with a decent ref. With a very pissed off and determined Sinclair leading them, I wouldn't be surprised if Canada won. Just incredibly ecstatic. :) *crosses fingers*
ReplyDelete(Same Anonymous as above)