[B]By ZOE JEWELL[\/B]
\n[I]Special to the [\/I]Saipan Tribune<\/p>\n
The 2011 FIFA Women\u2019s World Cup, the sixth since its first in 1991, consists of 16 teams, all vying for the coveted World Cup championship. The Germans have won the past two Cups, in 2003 and 2007 respectively, while the United States won it in 1991 and 1999, and Norway in 1995. <\/p>\n
I\u2019ve been a fan of the United States Women\u2019s National soccer team since I was at least 6 years old. I remember dressing up as Mia Hamm, one of the most famous female soccer players, in first grade for Halloween and pretending to be her on the soccer field. I remember being 6 years old, watching the U.S. win the World Cup in front of 90,000 fans at the Rose Bowl stadium. I remember, as so many of us do, Brandi Chastain ripping her jersey off after scoring the winning penalty kick. I remember wishing and hoping to someday be in the crowd, to watch and scream along with the other American supporters. Now, on June 28, I\u2019ll be one of thousands watching as the USA take on North Korea in their group match opener. I will be in Germany for the next month, following the United States on their quest to win a third World Cup. <\/p>\n
I\u2019ve been lucky enough to be a part of the CNMI women\u2019s national soccer team for the past five years and have gotten to travel to places like Japan and Taiwan to play in tournaments. Teams like South Korea, Chinese-Taipei, and Hong Kong were absolutely amazing (we lost significantly to each of them), and those teams didn\u2019t even qualify for the World Cup. The level at which these women play is pretty remarkable. Brazil\u2019s Marta is one of the most impressive soccer players I\u2019ve ever seen. She is a true Brazilian soccer player; her footwork is impeccable, her speed is lighting-quick, and it really does seem like she\u2019s dancing on the ball. Hope Solo, the United State\u2019s main goalkeeper, is, in my opinion, the best in the world. She\u2019s great with the ball at her feet for a goalkeeper. In fact, teams going against the United States often simulate her goal kicks and punts by practicing with a male goalkeeper. She is powerful, explosive, and can often make the impossible save possible. Other players to look out for are England\u2019s Kelly Smith, Germany\u2019s Birgit Prinz, Canada\u2019s Christine Sinclair, United State\u2019s Abby Wambach, and many, many others. <\/p>\n
Top teams such as the United States, Brazil, Germany, Japan, Norway, and Sweden are all favorites to make it far in the tournament, but unlike World Cups in the past, the competition is better than ever. Expected to be the best Women\u2019s World Cup yet, this every four-year tournament is surely one not to be missed.<\/p>\n
****<\/p>\n
[I]Zoe Jewell is a member of the CNMI national women\u2019s soccer team.[\/I]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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