Sydney 2000: Champions Forever!

AN ODE TO THE USWNT:
-- Poem written by Ace, pictures and captions done by Elaine --

A team of players upon the field, the cream of the soccer crop; As one they captured our hearts on their rise to the top. To boy and girl, to young and old, a lesson of life they leave-- Whatever dreams you may have, those dreams you can achieve.

At World Cup '99 we cheered, to the heavens our shouts had roared
We watched the games enraptured and white-knuckled, never bored
In the Final game our pulses raced as we watched the penalties
And when they struck that final goal, the golden prize they seized.

Then came more games, like Ireland, Brazil, the Victory Tour,
And we Fans went, of course, drawn by the National Team's allure.
And those Fans who could not attend--a broadcast on TV!
By ESPN 1 and 2, and sometimes ABC.

At stadiums, we packed the seats, and we all cheered aloud.
Above the heads, we each raised signs and banners high and proud
And those at home, upon their couch, with drinks and snacks on hand
Would also shout and cheer as loud as those up in the stands.

Then like a swarm of locusts, we descend on the Internet.
(Oddly, that is how a lot of the Posters here have met)
We told each other all about how we got to meet the team;
Some froze, some "died," some fainted, some thought it was all a dream.

	Then the new year brought a new coach--we wondered what that move foretold; Answer: winning Cups Pacific, Algarve, Nike Women's, Gold. And also other changes--on the rosters brand new names... But the bigger picture loomed ahead: the 2000 Olympic Games.

And still we Fans turned out in droves to cheer the Ladies on.
When online tickets sales would start, we'd wait at crack of dawn.
We'd find a venue close to us and rush out with our signs,
Or catch the game on TV--either way, a grand old time.

Tune-up matches here at home and in the land of the midnight sun.
Despite the odds the team showed they were not to be undone.
Then came the day the Olympic squad was picked and we did wonder:
"How will they fare 'gainst the 'Group of Death' o'er in the Land Down Under?"

By tape-delay we saw them play Norway, China, Nigeria;
Before our sets we whooped and screamed in WNT hysteria.
The team cried "Charge!" and rallied forth--and when we caught our breath,
They'd made it past the first three teams, past the "Group of Death."

Then came the semifinal game with our Brazillian foe.
We all watched anxiously to see which way the game would go
'Mid bruising fouls and tackles hard, as one we Fans then thrilled;
We beat Brazil at one to nil from a goal the U.S. drilled.

Once more we faced off Norway in our quest for Olympic Gold A hard fought match to overtime, tied with our rival of old. The keeper stood at ready, all her muscles poised and taut-- But then the air was shattered by the force of that last shot

Shannon MacMillan moved back into the starting line up

My heart had sunk, my senses numbed, my limbs had turned to lead;
A lone tear rolled down on my cheek, and low I hung my head.
Before the screen, awash in grief, no longer could I shout
For there's no joy in Fanville: the WNT struck out.

The click of the remote control; the picture: fade to black.
A frown, a quivered lip, a whispered "Woe!" "Alas!" "Alack!"
There in darkness I did sit, engulfed full deep in sorrow
And feeling that I did not have the strength to face the morrow.

But, as I sat with downcast glance and eyes a-brim with tears,
I made a small discovery that banished all my fears
That sight of them, heads high and proud, I slowly did discern
A simple little lesson--yes, a lesson I did learn:

To play in the Olympics is truly a glorious thing,
The chance to play in honor of your country, god, and king,
To reach inside yourself, while muscles strained and your sweat poured;
To show the world you played your best, is its own reward.

Tiffeny Milbrett led the American attack

	They played with hearts afire and with hunger in their eyes, And though they came away not with the fabled golden prize, In our own minds, we know these eighteen women broke the mold; In our own minds, these women have already won the gold.

Not only that, but furthermore--as I now comprehend--
They've brought us all together as this "world wide web" of friends!
Young, old, tall, short, it matters not; we're just one motley crew,
We are all afficionados, we are all Fans, tried and true.

We shared our love and admiration to this team of women strong.
With hearts uplifted and voices raised, we sang their battle song.
We are merely Loyal Fans, from the East Coast to the West
If they asked us, we'd say "It's avid fandom--not obsessed."

Kate Sobrero led a stingy American defense

That is the gift they give to us, a gift we should hold dear.
They are the vanguard for their sport, the blazing pioneer.
To bring their game to world renown, that is their legacy.
Come join me, friends, and let us toast the U.S. WNT.

A team of players upon the field, the cream of the soccer crop;
As one they capturèd our hearts on their rise to the top.
Let critics raze, let cynics gripe, but whatever the judgment call
We know, as Fans, that in our hearts, they are Olympians all.

Return