Bay Area Women's Sports Initiative

Four years ago FC Gold Pride star Brandi Chastain, Olympic gold medalist Julie Foudy, and former GM of the San Jose CyberRays Marlene Bjornsrud founded the Bay Area Women's Sports Initiative (BAWSI). Its mission is to "create programs and partnerships through which women athletes bring health, hope and wholeness to the community."

Recently, the FC Gold Pride team made BAWSI one of the FC Gold Pride Charities, its community-based nonprofit organization that looks to mentor young girls through participation in soccer-related events. Just last week, the Gold Pride visited Bowers Elementary School in Santa Clara, CA to talk about soccer, exercise, and health. I believe handing out free tickets to the opening day game was also in the agenda! Here are some pictures of the event (courtesy of BAWSI):

A Big Weekend

This is another important weekend for WPS, as 3 of its teams host their home openers:

Saturday, April 4
Chicago Red Stars @ St. Louis Athletica - 7pm CT

Sunday, April 5
Los Angeles Sol @ NY/NJ Sky Blue FC - 4pm EST
Boston Breakers @ FC Gold Pride - 6pm EST (broadcast live on Fox Soccer Channel)

Follow me on Twitter on Sunday, April 5 as I report from Bridgewater, NJ at Sky Blue's home opener. They have announced some opening day highlights including the coin toss by New Jersey Govenor John Corzine and an honorary first kick byUS Soccer hall-of-famer Julie Foudy. Personally, I'm excited to see Foudy back out on the pitch, if only for a moment.

My First Love

I was 5 years old the first time I stepped onto a soccer field. I'm not sure if it was the smell of fresh-cut grass, the sweet taste of oranges at halftime, or the touch of the ball against my laces, but I knew that day that I was in love with soccer... and would be forever.

It has been a love affair with its share of ups and downs. Some of my most cherished memories have been with a ball at my feet, but at the same time, so have some of my biggest heartaches.

I have been able to travel the world because of soccer. I have developed life-long friendships with teammates and coaches. And one of the most important things Ive learned from the game is that I can keep going long after I can't -- a life lesson that pushes me to new levels with every step I take.

The game has introduced me to the strongest group of female athletes in the history of sports : Mia Hamm, Julie Foudy, Brandi Chastain, Joy Fawcett and Kristine Lily. These women, my childhood heroes, fought for equal rights for women in athletics. They fought for a game they loved. And because of them, I, along with so many other girls, got the opportunity to fall in love with the world's favorite game.

Over the last few years I watched their women's professional league form, then fail, then rise up again from the ashes into a new league, Women's Professional Soccer (WPS) which launches this month. I have watched the Women's National Team (WNT) dominate the world, and also have seen it at its worst (both on and off the field) in 2007.

Women's soccer, no matter how many times it falls, always seems to rise up even stronger. It is a testament to the heart and soul of its players and to those who support it. Those who play and follow women's soccer are some of the most passionate people you will ever meet.

For the past 20+ years I have played many roles in the world's favorite game -- player, coach and fan. And as I'm sure you can imagine, the game looks very different from the sidelines. So, as a lifelong friend of the sport, I will share my opinions on the state of women's soccer in the US --- its players, its leagues, its management and of course, its fans.

Hope you enjoy!!!