Basking in the Glow

Very cool to see the girl I coached from 8th through 11th grades holding the World Cup on the cover of Sports Illustrated.  Grant Wahl, arguably the country's top soccer writer (although Sam Borden and Jere Longman from the New York Times could make a case) wrote about Carli and her trainer, James Galanis.  I have known James for many years and recall meeting with him at the Medport Diner in Medford to discuss his becoming technical director of the club where Carli played and drafting his contract with the club.  Wahl tells the story of how he connected with Carli and motivated her to become the player she has.

Despite the fame that Carli has rightfully achieved, I suspect that she is still the same nice kid I remember.  May she and her teammates continue to bask in the glow of their historic achievement.