A special guest column by Kirsten Eriksen about her trip to Germany for the Women's World Cup. Eriksen graduated this past June from Westhill High School in Stamford, Connecticut and this Fall will continue to play soccer at American University.
This past spring, a group of girls were given the opportunity of a lifetime. As a part of the Connecticut Football Club, with a combined effort from the CFC United U-18 team and the CFC U-17 Gunners, we were offered a chance to travel to Germany. In addition to the fact that a small percentage of us would ever be given an opportunity to return to this country, what made this trip one to dream for was the chance to witness, first-hand, the 2011 Women’s World Cup semi-final, and final, while also being able to participate in 3 games against local teams. It became safe to say that if one could help it, this was not a trip to pass up.
This past spring, a group of girls were given the opportunity of a lifetime. As a part of the Connecticut Football Club, with a combined effort from the CFC United U-18 team and the CFC U-17 Gunners, we were offered a chance to travel to Germany. In addition to the fact that a small percentage of us would ever be given an opportunity to return to this country, what made this trip one to dream for was the chance to witness, first-hand, the 2011 Women’s World Cup semi-final, and final, while also being able to participate in 3 games against local teams. It became safe to say that if one could help it, this was not a trip to pass up.
The 11th of July came as we all arrived at the airport, bags packed with clothes and soccer necessities, passports and itineraries. Hours later, we were Frankfurt-bound, on the way to what would be a vacation we will never forget. After a few days, we soon became accustomed to the change in culture, consisting of ice-less drinks, a lack of elevators and air conditioning, and skilled bus drivers that were somehow able to navigate through the unusually narrow streets. Throughout our time there, we visited cities such as Heidelberg, Rothenberg, and Stuttgart, and even spent a day in Strasbourg, France; each city having its own unique combination of culture, history, and food. From various castles, cathedrals, to cafes, and shops, there was something in each location that made it well worth the visit.
However, what truly made this experience so memorable were the opportunities to watch and participate in the sport we all know, love, and live by. We played 3 games throughout our trip, in which we went 1-2. Each team we played against consisted of a variety of ages, ranging anywhere from 17 to 45 (although most falling between 18 and 25), putting a sort of twist on things compared to what we were used to. In the first of these games, we played the first ever game on the semi-professional club’s brand new grass field at their training ground, and played in front of the American Consulate General. In the next two games, one of which was against a semi-professional team, we were able to enjoy dinner and dessert afterwards with the team in their respective clubhouses. Even though it may have been easy to overlook while there, now that we are home, I recognize how privileged we were to play soccer in a different country. Not many people will be able to tell their families that they traveled to Europe, let alone that they played there, and for some, even scored a goal on foreign soil.
However, what truly made this experience so memorable were the opportunities to watch and participate in the sport we all know, love, and live by. We played 3 games throughout our trip, in which we went 1-2. Each team we played against consisted of a variety of ages, ranging anywhere from 17 to 45 (although most falling between 18 and 25), putting a sort of twist on things compared to what we were used to. In the first of these games, we played the first ever game on the semi-professional club’s brand new grass field at their training ground, and played in front of the American Consulate General. In the next two games, one of which was against a semi-professional team, we were able to enjoy dinner and dessert afterwards with the team in their respective clubhouses. Even though it may have been easy to overlook while there, now that we are home, I recognize how privileged we were to play soccer in a different country. Not many people will be able to tell their families that they traveled to Europe, let alone that they played there, and for some, even scored a goal on foreign soil.
But by far, the highlight of the trip, what wrote the most detailed memories, the experience that I will be able to talk about the rest of my life was being able to attend the semi-final, and final of this year’s Women’s World Cup. On top of just being able to go to these games, what heightened the excitement even further was the knowledge that we were not just watching any country, but the USA. For many, if not all of us, this is the team we have all followed since we were young. The team that we celebrated when they won the 1999 World Cup, and the team that really brought women’s soccer to its next step in America. We were going to watch our own country take on the chance they had at another World Cup title. The atmosphere in itself was amazing. The fans piled into the stadium, cheers and chants echoed in our ears, and red, white, and blue could be seen in any direction. I could not be more proud to be an American, and even more happy to be a part of this sport. It was truly a gift and a privilege to be able to witness these games, let alone sit nine rows behind the goal in the World Cup Finals.
The entire visit in general was an amazing trip, but what made it even more special was getting to spend the last time I had with my soccer team in Europe, in Germany, watching our own country at the Women’s World Cup.
The entire visit in general was an amazing trip, but what made it even more special was getting to spend the last time I had with my soccer team in Europe, in Germany, watching our own country at the Women’s World Cup.
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