Filed under: Family Fun, International Soccer, US Soccer | Tags: Klinsman, Mexico, USMNT
I’m way behind on this blog. Sorry. I have lots to say about the Women’s World Cup and so much more, but I’ve been busy closing my store and traveling with my kids, this summer kinda got away from me.
So let me say this: KLLLLIIINNNSMMMAAAANNN! Oh how I’ve waited for this day. I love German soccer, and started my love of US Soccer through a series of US vs Germany games. I wanted to have Jürgen Klinsman as our coach for years. I was hoping he’d be picked in the last hiring round, and I’ve definitely wanted us to hire him since 2010. And there is a bit of me pinching myself, not believing my dream has finally come true.
As luck would have it, I get to go to his coaching debut with my kids, thanks to winning the Golazo Scavenger Hunt at the American Outlaws Rally! My daughter is now 8-3/4, old enough to be pissed when I don’t take her to games. My son is 4, funny and charming enough that I want to bring him just to see what he’ll do.
So here we go! I feel like it’s the night before my 1st date with the dreamy senior I’ve been wanting to date since freshman year, and I’m super nervous that he’ll show up and not be the catch I thought he was. I really think Klinsy’s dateable material….and somehow, I will find a way to get some sleep tonight. But for now, it’s just Mexico and kids and Klinsman….oh my!
Filed under: Family Fun, International Soccer, Supporter Culture, Uncategorized, US Soccer
The American Outlaws Des Moines flag arrived today and it is so super awesome amazing cool I can’t even believe it! I thought I’d share photo before this one makes it’s debut in Detroit and KC. The kids are pretty stoked about it, as you can see!
We still need 2 things: money and a name, and that’s where you come in!
1. Please send money!!
Tanya fronted the money for this out of her house fund, and she’d really like to replenish that fund ASAP. So please send what you can (memo it AO Flag)! How?
*Dwolla us! Go to Dwolla.com, send money to 812-460-2944 or tweet money to @TanyaKeith
*Paypal us! Paypal to TKeith71 (at) yahoo (dot) com
*Do it up old school: Get a check or cash to Tanya Keith c/o Simply for Giggles 510 East Locust #120, Des Moines IA 50309
Pass it on! Please share this project with your friends!
2. Help us name it! The two other flags running around US Soccer fans are named Big Ass Flag and Baby Ass flag. Since I would prefer not to have my children telling their friends about anything “ass”, we want this one to have a PG name. We also want the name to be about the Midwest (in a positive way, not referring to our fly over status, thank you anyway Prairie!) We were talking about naming it the Midwest Menace, as a nod to our local team, the Des Moines Menace. What do you all think?
Thanks for your help with this project, and we can’t wait to see you all with it in Detroit and KC. (I’ll bring it to Boston if someone wants to pay my plane ticket, but I won’t hold my breath!!)
My reasons for going to the AO Rally had nothing to do with parenting. I love taking my kids to games, but the Rally was something I wanted to do for me. I remember June 5, 2002, being in the stadium for the moment (or 90 some moments) that the US beat Portugal after coming off our last place finish in the 1998 World Cup. Doug and I were up late talking in our room that night about how cool it was to be there in such a pivotal moment for US Soccer. When I heard about what American Outlaws were planning for this Rally, I thought that the event had the possibility to be another epic moment in US Soccer history, and I figured it was time for me to get serious about AO DSM chapter leadership, and on both counts, it did not disappoint.
But even though my intentions were self/chapter serving, we did have two very interesting discussions at lunch with the Soccer Family Style Family (ages 8 and 3-1/2). The first was about facebook photos. I was flipping through the photos on my phone and commented that a few of them were not facebook worthy as they contained some things that should stay in Vegas. When people question how close I keep my kids to the supporters section, I have to think, isn’t it better for your kids to learn lessons on what not to curse, post to facebook, etc from OTHER people? I think so.
Then we talked about Grant Wahl’s Campaign for FIFA President. We talked about political corruption, and the things that FIFA has done to lose some of our respect. We talked about the need to stand up to injustice, and how even if he doesn’t win (he admits it’s a long shot), it’s important to push the discussion forward to the best of each person’s ability. OK, I admit, it’s over the 3 year old’s head, but you could see my daughter’s wheels turning. She gets it, and that’s a cool thing to see as a parent.
And did I mention that I got to meet Mama Donahoo? That’s right, Mom of two of the American Outlaws founders Korey and Chris Donahoo. She didn’t believe me when I told her she was my hero, but really? When you’re trying to raise good soccer supporters in the US….who would you rather meet? It was epic for me, Mama Donahoo.
We’re working on our statement on Grant’s candidacy…you’ll have to stay tuned for that one. Until then, remember….American Outlaws….not just for kids. It’s for parents too.
Soccer....Family Style 