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Brandi and the Bride

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Brittany and her bridesmaids recreating Brandi’s ’99 Women’s World Cup Celebration

Recently there was an amazing photo that went viral of a bride and her bridesmaids re-enacting Brandi’s 1999 world-class, world-changing moment. It made quite an impression on me (just ask, oh, anyone I spoke to for the following few weeks!).

Then to my complete surprise, the bride herself, a teacher named Brittany Senator, reached out to me separately as a fan of Soccer Sisters. She loves the books and shares them with her students.  It was too serendipitous to ignore. I just had to find out more and connect her with Brandi, who had already seen the photo on social media and was touched by it.

What happened next? Love Fest, natch.

Brandi told me later that it took her a little while to write back to Brittany because she was so moved by her words – even brought to tears. Not only is Brittany a beautiful writer, but she also captures so much of what soccer means and articulates how the legacy of that moment affected generations of young girls, some of whom are now women teaching young girls.

If you remember that moment – or it’s something you vaguely recall – I suggest you go back and watch that kick, that joy, and that CLUTCHNESS that inspired millions of girls in this country to follow their dreams.

Thank you, Brittany, for allowing me to share this, and thank you always to Brandi, for continuing to be our friend and inspiring us.

 

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Good Morning Brandi!

This so experience has been so surreal. I’ll (attempt) to keep it short, because I never in a million years thought I’d be able to share this story with you ladies. All of my bridesmaids were former teammates. Six of them, including my maid of honor, were my college teammates – we played together at Webster University (St. Louis, MO.) Out of the other two, I played rec with one growing up, and the other grew up playing with my maid of honor.

Brittany’s maid of honor dressed up as Brandi for Halloween

That photo has always been very important to all of us. Our ages range a couple of years, but I was 9 years old in 1999 on that glorious day. I will never forget that day and the way it changed my life. Without that day/photo/victory, I can’t say for certain that we would have all fallen in love with the game the way we did, and I may have never met my best friends. Bonus points, I also ended up marrying one of my defenders’ brothers, so I may have never met my husband. I owe everything I have to the game, and the game owes everything to you. We all went from awkward tomboys to someone with a hero we/the world could identify. Watching that PK truly was the most magical moment of my life.

Being a USWNT fan has been as big a part of my identity as being a player. In college, we always had USWNT, but mostly ’99ers memorabilia hanging around the house. We drove 15 hours to Winnipeg in 2015 to watch the Cup. We watched Dare to Dream every morning on game days (and of course the morning of the wedding.) I think you’ll also get a kick out of my maid of honor’s Halloween costume our senior year of college (I’ll attach a picture.)

I think it just came naturally that everything in this wedding needed to be soccer-themed. When I got engaged, I was wearing a Carli Lloyd tank top. When I asked my girls to be bridesmaids, I made them all retro throwback 90’s “Scally Wedding” jerseys. For my bachelorette party, my girls surprised me with USA gear for everyone, and a World Cup to carry around Beale Street all day. Saturday, that is, because Friday night we ended up staying in and scrimmaging in the back yard. My captain from my freshman year of college got ordained online so that she could officiate our ceremony.

The ’99 photo has always been important to us: I have the Sports Illustrated framed in my house and look at it every day, and when the idea came to me, and I ran it by my bridesmaids, there was no doubt in our minds that we had to re-create it.

It was the last photo we took of the day, before heading to the reception. We all genuinely thought there was a good chance we’d get too into it and rip a dress. It was the only photo of the day that I made the photographer show me to make SURE we got it. We nailed it first try (of course, we’ve had that emotion built up for 18 years.) My only regret was that I should have held my veil in my right hand!

Brittany and her bridesmaids on her wedding day

I never dreamed I’d get the chance to say this to you, but on behalf of myself, and all of my bridesmaids, thank you for everything, Brandi. You were our first-ever hero, and continue to be. Years back, when the WPS was in St. Louis, and you came to play against Athletica, I was so determined to meet you and get an autograph. I thought it was going to be impossible, as everyone else there wanted to as well. Understandably, a lot of players would sign a handful, and then get on their way. I stood in the bleachers and watched you, as the sun went down and other players rushed off, take the time to talk to every single person, shake every single hand, and sign every single autograph. You took the time to talk to children who weren’t even born in 1999 and couldn’t yet grasp your impact on the game, little girls didn’t yet understand that their clubs existed because of you and your crew. I remember growing up, and all of the press that you did, and how hard you all worked to grow the sport, and to spread your passion and love for the game. Watching you, 10 years later, STILL taking the time to sell your sport, made such an impact on me as a young woman. I was just as inspired by you as a 19-year-old that day as I was as a 9-year-old. You listened to every fan, including me, who was star-struck.

I believe women’s soccer requires more heart than any other sport in the world, and I firmly believe that tone was set by you. My soccer story is nothing compared to yours, but you were such a big part of mine, and every girl playing the game now. I wanted to be a midfielder but ended up breaking my neck in a club game, and was told I could no longer head the ball after having a spinal fusion. I ended up switching to goalkeeper to keep playing, and played that all the way through college. Your versatility as a player and ability to adapt to new positions inspired me. While rehabbing, I watched Dare to Dream, and World at Their Feet constantly. You, Mia, Michelle, Julie, Joy, Carla, Shannon, Tiffeny, Brianna, all of you did more for me than any physical therapist ever could have. I just wanted to thank you for that.

I will never be able to thank you ladies enough for what you have done for the game. As someone who works in an elementary school all day, I can tell you, your legacy continues.

Thank you, Brandi, for being able to take them left-footed. When I originally posted the photo I captioned it, “The two happiest days of my life.” I truly mean it. I hope you can look at that photo, and see 9 women who grew up to become best friends because you inspired them to chase after their dreams years before they had ever met.

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Inside Soccer Sisters – Makena

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Coach Andy with the Roadrunners

 

When Soccer Sisters was launched, I had to find the name of a main character for Out of Bounds. I had already used my daughter, Lily, in Breakaway, so was searching for some inspiration.

It didn’t take me long. For many years, I was the head coach of a team called the Roadrunners, a great travel team that got recruited to be a part of NY Rush. That team was so amazing and super talented! We made it to the Finals of the NY Cup (lost in PK’s!) and were Champions of many tournaments, including the Delco Cup.

But most special to me were the girls and the parents. Every last one of them was dedicated and just so much fun. All of them, amazing people. There was one girl who came to our team a little later, Makena Ward. She started as a guest player – and would say yes to any invitation to play. Makena is not only talented, she is also fierce and clutch! I loved coaching her. Unfortunately, when the age changes came a few years ago, our team could not stay together. We were split down the middle with some girls born in 03 moving to the older age group.

Our last game together ended up being the championship match at a big tournament called Delco. We were outmatched for size by a great team from Syracuse. Thunderstorms forced us to play the finals inside! It was all a little crazy. We hadn’t had many chances in the game until the final three minutes when Abby, one of our original Roadrunners, who I had coached since she was 8, got the ball and made a perfect pass to Makena. Makena hit her shot left-footed and beat the keeper. GOAL! The other team was stunned, the coach just shook his head. We all went crazy. But, the game wasn’t over yet. They pounded us for the final three minutes! Finally, the whistle blew.

It was fairy-tale ending that I could not have written. People always ask me if I am writing about myself in my books, and I say, yes, there is a part of me in the characters. But, so many of the friendships and moments were inspired by amazing kids like Makena and my daughter, Lily, Kiki, Lauren, Milly, Megan, Ariana, Ana, Olivia and all of my awesome players. When was writing Out of Bounds, I was looking for an Irish name, and I loved the original spelling, Makena. She and her parents allowed me to use it. I miss coaching those kids, but am so happy to see so many of them continue to love soccer.

Thank you Makena for your love of the game and lovely name. 

 

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Brandi’s Response to the Bride

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Brittany and her Bridesmaids

Dear Brittany,

Please excuse the delay in responding to your incredibly humbling, emotionally overwhelming and

Brittany and her fiance (now husband) on the day of their engagement in her Carly Lloyd tank top.

heartfelt email. Both Andy and I were so touched by your words, and to be honest that doesn’t really

envelop or grasp the enormity of it for me because that journey, that day, and that moment was a lifetime in the making. The beauty of it as I sit back and look at it with perspective is that it was done with the deepest amount of respect, love, passion and friendship. When I look at your photo that is exactly what I see. My teammates and I are ever so grateful for your support since you were little. Playing for the national

team was a privilege and I dream of one day giving back to our next generation through coaching one of our now many national teams. I hope that you will continue to be ever present in the stands and sharing your friends’ stories while proudly wearing your USA gear!

I hope to see you at a game soon.

Happy holidays.

Brandi

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Play It Forward Project: Interview with Jessy Giordano

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I recently got to know an amazing coach and soccer trainer named Jessy Giordano @jgiotraining who works with some very special girls in Northern New Jersey. We are so excited to partner with Jessy and her girls, supporting the teams as they play this summer! Jessy introduced her girls the PlayItForwardProject and says it meshes perfectly with her philosophy of making better people, not just better players.

Soccer Sisters: How did the girls react when you told them about the PIFP?

Jessy Giordano: They loved the idea! Especially my youngers ones. They kept saying “I know what I can
do!” and coming up with different acts of kindness. They kept thinking about it and talking about all kinds of ideas. I think kids like pleasing other people.  When we were making the video, they also wanted to take it home and think about it some more and talked to their parents about it and decided it was also something they were going to do at home. I think making and sharing the video is motivating. I’ve seen it even with my older girls. When they see my training videos they tell me it motivates them to do it at home. I think anyone seeing that video will think, “I just want to do something nice for someone today.”

Jessy with some of her athletes.

SS: It looks like a lot of fun to make the video, was it? 

JG: It was one of the most fun we’ve had making a video! I wanted to have strangers in it so we just approached people and asked if we could open the door, and even one girl helped an older lady with her groceries. I think they learned a lot and it makes them feel empowered to help and not feel weird about it.

SS: Your focus is on technical skills, but also on building players who have strong character. How does PIFP fit in with your philosophy?

JG: I honestly think they play so much better when they are having fun and feel more comfortable together and when they are supporting and motivating themselves and others.  My girls come from all over the place, and many who don’t know each other and the only way they are going to play well is when they are having fun.  I want to teach them to help each other, not just on the field, but to help even people they don’t know.

SS: What do you think is the best way to Play It Forward for teams, coaches or parents who want to encourage their kids to engage in acts of kindness? 

JG: I think talk to your teams about it. I always pick two captains every week, and switch it up and try to get them to step it up. I want them to be good leaders, good teammates, role models, and mostly a good person.

Thanks Jessy!

 

Follow Jessy here: 

www.JgioTraining.com

@JgioTraining

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