There's nothing quite like the thrill of victory. Better yet, there's nothing quite like coming back from behind and upsetting an opponent after the promise of victory seemed only an improbable fantasy. This past Sunday, the United States womens' soccer team did just that: beat the odds.
For those of you who watched the broadcast of the game, you may have noticed that the US were battling it out with the referees as much as they were with the Brazilian national team. Many a great athletes have expressed their sentiments toward referee involvement in games. A lot of professionals regret the fact that arbitrators, whom are supposed to be impartial, hold a large stake in the outcome of games.
In what seemed like a blissful ending to a cinderella story, US forward Abby Wambach scored the latest goal in Womens' World Cup History (122') off a gorgeous cross delivered by midfielder Megan Rapinoe. Wambach's header would send the US into PKs; the rest was history.
After the game, ESPN reporter Bob Holtzman had the opportunity to ask Wambach some questions. He asked her to describe what scoring that game-changing header felt like. As Wambach fumbled for words, she eventually articulated that the team's improbable come-from-behind victory was a prime example of one of the United States' most important traits: perseverance.
Down one woman for 55 minutes and stifled by BS calls, the US certainly could have let Brazil have at it, vowing to try harder four years from now. I recall sitting next to my brother while watching the game, and mumbling "watch this" as the US drove the ball upfield in the 122nd minute. Sure enough, Wambach would head-in an absolute firecracker, leading her team to improbable glory. For a second there, the world stopped, electricity coursed through my veins, and that universal rush of adrenaline lifted me off my couch and into a frenzy of cheers.
I believe that today's feat relates to everyday life. Many a time we may find ourselves in the depths of misery, searching impatiently for a way out. Many a time we may feel like the weight of the world is against us, that the prospect of help is an impossibility, and that all hope is gone. Many a time we may feel that we can't catch a break. No matter what, we gotta keep up pushing. We have to look within ourselves, conjure-up as much strength as we can, and keep on fighting. If we do, a hole will eventually open up, we will receive that perfect pass, and we will all have our own shot at a beautiful goal.
U-S-A
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