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Despite some great opportunities, it appeared as if USA would be packing up and heading home after another tied match.  Then, in the 91 minute, Landon Donavan broke through the scoreless tie by pounding in a rebound.  Finally! USA held on for the win.  For the USA team, and soccer fans around the world, the message was clear:  never give up.  Keep attacking the goal and something good might happen.  On this day, for the USA team, it did.

Meanwhile, at Wimbledon, France’s Nicolas Mahut was playing American John Isner in an opening round match.  With both players serving particularly well, the match moved to a 5th and deciding set.  However, after playing over 7 hours in the 5th set, still no winner was determined.  Play was suspended with the score tied at 59 – 59.  Unbelievable.  Somewhere, the person who came up with the tie-breaker concept for tennis must be saying, “I told you so.”  Both players broke the record for number of aces served by one player in a men’s single match. 

In a match this long, there must have been many opportunities for both players to pack it in and accept defeat.  It didn’t happen.  Both never quit.

In the sports world, from soccer to tennis, the games reward those that persevere.

Landon Donavon Interview after the goal

Nike’s agency Wieden + Kennedy produced the “Write the Future” video in celebration of the World Cup.

NIKE’S “WRITE THE FUTURE” VIDEO

Sports Feel Good Stories caught up with O’Reilly as she was helping promote CooperVision’s Contact Sports program – a program that is teaching teens that healthy vision can help performance both on and off the field.

Sports Feel Good Stories: At what age do you think youth soccer players should specialize on soccer?  Why?  Also, please comment on how much soccer per week is good amount for a 10 year-old?  A 15 year-old?

Heather O’Reilly: I played basketball all through high school as well, so I’m a huge advocate of playing multiple sports because the cross training is good, it’s good to stay fresh and keep your passion for the game.  If you’re serious about trying to play in college or at an elite level, by high school you should be making the commitment to soccer.

For 10-year-olds, two practices and a game per week is a good amount.  For 15-year-olds, at the most 4 practices and a game.

SFGS: How did growing up with 3 brothers help you in your athletic pursuits?

Heather O’Reilly: It toughened me up a little bit, and gave me a lot of self confidence and strength in my self esteem.  They all played soccer, but my whole family was soccer players and track athletes.  My brothers were always good about including me even though I was just the little sister.  They thought it was pretty funny when I could beat their friends in a game of horse or football.

SFGS: As you look at youth soccer in the U.S., what skills do you think players should be placing more of a focus on?

Heather O’Reilly: It’s important to spend time with the ball and be comfortable with your skills.  Youth players sometimes think they should only practice when their team is practicing, but if you want to make it to an elite level, you need to spend a lot more time with just you and the ball, and maybe a wall or the park.  You need to be committed to it.

SFGS: In soccer juggling, what’s the highest count you’ve ever reached?

Heather O’Reilly: I’ve never really counted, but I’m guessing around 200…

SFGS: What is your favorite thing about the sport of soccer?

Heather O’Reilly: My favorite thing about it is that it’s a team sport.  You bring your individual talents to the table, but it’s really neat how an entire team comes together and you can rely on each other to bring the best out of each other.

SFGS: What was more exciting for you:  winning the state high school tournament or winning the Olympic Gold medal the first time or the second time?  Why?

Heather O’Reilly: I’ve been lucky to have won a lot of different tournaments at different levels, each being very memorable.  Obviously playing for your country is amazing, and nothing’s sweeter than playing for the US.

SFGS: Who do you think are the best 3 female soccer players?  The 3 best male soccer players?  Who was your favorite soccer player growing up?

Heather O’Reilly:

Female – current Shannon Boxx, Marta, Abby Wambach

Male – Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Xavi

Favorite growing up was Mia Hamm

SFGS: What’s it like to be an Olympic athlete for the first time?  Looking back, what did you like most about the Olympic experience off the field?

Heather O’Reilly: My favorite memory of the first Olympic Games was eating in the Olympic Village and being with all the athletes from around the world and sharing that time together.  Seeing everybody’s country on the back of their warm-ups and sharing that experience in the Village.

SFGS: What is the secret to successful soccer?

Heather O’Reilly: The secret is to enjoy it and to realize your individual strengths and what makes you different from everyone else.  For me, that was my work ethic and athleticism.  But never lose your passion.

SFGS: If you weren’t a soccer player, what would you be doing?

Heather O’Reilly: I would probably be a teacher – my degree from University of North Carolina was in middle grades education – and I’d probably focus on social studies.

SFGS: What’s the best feel good story in the game of soccer right now?

Heather O’Reilly: The coach of the US men’s team, Bob Bradley, is the father of one of the players on the team, Michael Bradley.  I think it’s neat that they are able to experience that together, but also keeping their professionalism at the same time.

SFGS: What can you tell us about the Cooper Vision program?  How did you get involved?

Heather O’Reilly: I’m working with CooperVision to kick off the Contact Sports program – we’re teaching teens that healthy vision can help your performance both on and off the field.  It’s important to me because when I was in the 7th grade, I found myself scooting my chair closer and closer to the front of the room so I could see better.  My teacher suggested I go to the eye doctor, and I immediately saw a difference on the field with contacts.  For the first time I could see things I never knew you were able to see – like spin on the ball and the expressions on my teammate’s faces.

What we’re doing is helping teens across the country get the gear they need.  If you visit www.mycontactsports.com  you can find out about the 10, $2,500 grants we’re giving away.  We’ll award deserving teams and athletes with grants to help them get the gear they need – everything from soccer balls to new equipment to free contact lenses.

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In his first international game, Zidane scored 2 goals in a span of 17 minutes for France.  Nickname “Zizou,” his parents are of Algerian descent.  Words of wisdom from his teammate Bixente Lizarazu, “”When we don’t know what to do, we just give the ball to Zizou and he works something out.”

“Zidane the Scientist” Video

Savage Garden’s “Truly Madly Deeply” is showcased here. Filmed at the Beehive Pub in Tottenham, the group includes real Tottenham fans and some singers.  For the Italian speaking world, there’s a version of Umberto Tozzi’s 1977 hit “Ti Amo.” New York agency Droga5 produced.

The Puma Hardchorus

Song lyrics:  “Truly Madly Deeply”

Verse 1

I’ll be your dream
I’ll be your wish
I’ll be your fantasy.
I’ll be your hope
I’ll be your love
Be everything that you need.
I love you more with every breath
Truly madly deeply do..
I will be strong I will be faithful
‘Cos I’m counting on a new beginning.
A reason for living.
A deeper meaning.

Chorus

I want to stand with you on a mountain.
I want to bathe with you in the sea.
I want to lay like this forever.
Until the sky falls down on me…

Verse 2

And when the stars are shining brightly
In the velvet sky,
I’ll make a wish
Send it to heaven
Then make you want to cry..
The tears of joy
For all the pleasure and the certainty.
That we’re surrounded
By the comfort and protection of..
The highest power.
In lonely hours.
The tears devour you..
I want to stand with you on a mountain,
I want to bathe with you in the sea.
I want to lay like this forever,
Until the sky falls down on me…

Bridge

Oh can’t you see it baby?
You don’t have to close your eyes
‘Cos it’s standing right before you.
All that you need will surely come…

I’ll be your dream
I’ll be your wish
I’ll be your fantasy.
I’ll be your hope
I’ll be your love
Be everything that you need.
I’ll love you more with every breath
Truly madly deeply do…

Chorus

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Throwing oneself backward at a parallel angle to the ground and bringing one foot to your original head height, to kick the ball backwards, is no easy task. If properly executed, there’s a danger of contact with other players. Executed incorrectly, players can land on their heads. When soccer legend Pelé described the kick as, “not easy to do,” you know players face some challenges trying to execute this kick.

In this video clip from an October, 2009 Cup game in Brazil where Caio (Rio Branco) vs took on Serra, you’ll see two bicycle kicks resulting in a goal.

ENJOY THIS VIDEO

Some of these refugees have found hope and a sense of community in soccer, a game that they played in their native countries. Jordanian-born Luma Mufleh serves as coach and manager for the Fugees, a soccer organization that she developed to help these kids, ages 9 – 17 years-old. In her role, she wears many hats. After each practice, tutoring sessions are held with the aid of volunteers. Player attendance is mandatory. She started a cleaning business in town that employs refugee women. She advises her players on a wide variety of topics.

The team has enjoyed success at many levels despite competing against better-funded teams. One of the Fugees received word that he’d received a academic and soccer scholarship which will cover all of his tuition. A book, Outcasts United: A Refugee Team, An American Town was recently published and a movie deal on the team has been inked with Universal. As part of the deal Universal is paying $500,000 to the Fugee Family, a non-profit set up to help support child survivors of war.

Read more about this uplifting soccer story:

Refugees Find Hostility and Hope on Soccer Field — NY Times

www.fugeesfamily.org

Fugees on Today Show — Part I

Fugees on Today Show — Part II

The love.fútbol organization partners with local communities by providing the raw materials and a representative to facilitate the project. The local community is responsible for the planning, organization and volunteer labor.

The new fields frequently replace play areas where raw sewage, trash and glass are potential hazards for kids. The new, low-maintenance fields provide a safe environment for kids to enjoy a sport and all of the positive things that come with that. Because of the needed involvement of local residents, the building of the soccer field becomes as much a community project as a youth project.

Drew Chafetz and Alfredo Axtmayer, both of whom enjoyed soccer growing up, are the co-founders of love.futbol. Check out the love.fútbol website to see more examples of their good work, as they touch lives and help make communities feel good about themselves.

A trailer on the organization:

Check out these 5 amazing soccer goals on the video below.