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Haig and US Soccer Team Preparing to face France
August 24, 2006 | Women's Soccer
Aug. 24, 2006
University of Louisville junior goalkeeper Joanna Haig is a member of the US U-20 Women's National Team and is overseas at the 2006 FIFA Women's World Championship in Russia. She is keeping fans updated on how things go with a web diary:
August 21
We beat Argentina 4-1, despite the fact that we still didn't play up to the standards we have set for ourselves. The game was rough for us due to the fact that we received three yellow cards and one red card. Although we were frustrated with our play, it was good enough to secure a trip to St. Petersburg for the quarterfinals. We have one game left in group play and it will determine our placing in the next round. France will be our first real test here. They have some very skilled players, send lots of dangerous balls into the box, and are well organized defensively. We will have to bring our "A" game in order to take first in our bracket.
August 22
This morning our head coach Tim Schulz watched the game film with us, and we picked it apart together. There won't be room for mistakes against France in a couple days, so we are being sure to take care of any tweaks ahead of time. In the afternoon we visited an orphanage in Central Moscow. It was amazing to be able to sacrifice some time to a large group of less fortunate kids. We played soccer with them on the cement "field" they had behind their dormitory, and talked with them via translators. All of their stories were incredibly sad; therefore it was nice to have the opportunity to show them a little love. That evening we got dressed up and attended the Nutcracker Suite ballet. It was fun to do something different, but I am too fidgety to actually sit through and be attentive for the entire program. Thank goodness for intermission! It was an amazing day as I got to experience quite a few new things. I am having so much fun here and am definitely making the most of it!
