June 20, 2006
This week's story is about perseverance. The United States National Team taught us that despite huge obstacles, commitment to a common cause will yield results. Matched up against the international powerhouse Italy on Saturday, the team outworked its opponent, keeping its dreams of a second round match with Brazil alive.
Members of the Georgetown Men's Soccer Team are working through the summer heat and strenuous workouts in a similar manner. Those who I spoke to this past week are energized and dreaming about taking the field at American University in August. Sophomore Alex Fairman is training with his club team, F.C. Delco, in Pennsylvania. He is excited as his team begins has just begun play with the expectation of making the National Championships in July. In California, junior Richard Diaz is basking in the glory of the Argentine Soccer Team. The team's matches are helping him to fight through the second phase of the team's summer fitness program.
My summer team, the Westchester Flames, sits atop the Northeast Division of the Premier Development League (P.D.L.). Playing on team with a roster packed with top college talent, I have been fortunate enough to train with (and, more importantly, against) great players.
Finally, I would like to note that the Georgetown Soccer Community is proud to be watching alumni Dan Gargan and Jeff Curtin with their respective M.L.S. sides. This past week, Gargan suited up for his team, the Colorado Rapids, and played for 24 minutes. I speak for the program when I say that Jeff and Dan have shown us that playing professionally is very realistic, and that maintaining a strong work ethic is the best way to achieve goals at the collegiate and professional levels.
The determination that these two alumni taught me and my teammates is the same lesson which Brian McBride and the U.S. team taught us on Saturday: though "the beautiful game" is indeed a game of skill, stamina and desire to outwork one's opponent is most important.
Until next week,
Hoya Saxa
Ricky Schramm (C'07)
