By Randy Vogt, Director of Public Relations, Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association
Four Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association Olympic Development Program players and the rest of their club teammates from the Rockville Centre Express met the U.S. Women’s National Team this past Tuesday in Manhattan during that team’s trip back from Germany for the Women’s World Cup. As you undoubtedly know by now, the U.S. finished second to Japan, losing the penalty kick shootout, 3-1, after tying 2-2 in overtime in the final. The U.S. Women’s National Team was in Manhattan for an appearance on “Good Morning, America.”
“Abby Wambach told the girls a nice story about how it’s not whether you win or lose but how you carry yourself on the field,” commented Eastern New York Director of Coaching Instruction Tim Bradbury. “She displayed as much class as she did the day before when the team lost the shootout to Japan. What a great day in that the girls met the American players!”
As Abby told the media upon being greeted by cheering fans, “Really humbling, and truthfully it's probably brought my spirits up more than anything else could have. I am so disappointed for my teammates, myself. I am so disappointed for our country because I really feel like we had it. It was so close! Coming home to this kind of reception is truly one of the best things that has ever happened.”
On July 15, the Express, a Long Island Junior Soccer League team, demonstrated to Andy Bettag from Japan’s Fuji Television Networks how American girls learn to play soccer. Mr. Bettag also interviewed the Express about their opinions on the Women’s World Cup Final, and Express/ODP player Juliana Klaum challenged one of the reporters one-on-one. The interview was aired in Japan on July 16 to a television audience of five million viewers!
The four players who are on both the Olympic Development Program team and the Express are Emily Jonas, Julianne Klaum, Alex McNicholas and Michaela Reis.