As a new MLS Season begins, US Soccer Fans start to turn their attention to David Beckham, Landon Donovan, Gallardo, Cuauhtemoc Blanco but I went on a different road. 

Today I took a break from the testosterone of the English Premier League, the Spanish La Liga , the Italian Serie A  and avoided the MLS (for now) to spend my Saturday afternoon with 26 ladies. The USA Women’s Soccer Team. And even better, I got to talk to them and get OLE OLE an exclusive interview that shows how dedicated these women are to US Soccer and the evolution of the sport among women.

Living in the United States I hear a lot of non-sense bulky (sometimes obese) guys telling me that “soccer is for girls”. I think they are right. But we are not talking about the shallow 24-hour Barbie Girls, no sir… We are talking about elegant, talented, fast and tough, very tough superwomen.

I dare any of those guys to go in the air to dispute a header with Abby Wambach… Or to show their fancy footwork in front of defensive midfielder Shannon Boxx… Or yet, to go one-on-one against tough goalkeeper Hope Solo… I’d love to see that…

Anyway… I went to the team’s training session at the Home Depot Center here in California and watched the girls preparing for the Olympic Qualifying that will be played next month in Mexico.

After the practice I talked to former NCAA Champion for USC Amy Rodriguez, to 2004 Gold Medalist Shannon Boxx and to Swedish coach Pia Sundhage:

Amy Rodriguez (number 19 on the right)

Mano Gil: You were on the USC team that just won the NCAA Championship right? How was that?

Amy: Well, playing for USC in the NCAA, well… we were not among the top dogs we were kind of the underdogs in that situation so that was a unique experience, you know. We started from the very bottom and worked our way up and we actually worked very hard to get to the final four and basically busted it out. So, that experience I’ll never forget and I hope to use it here with the National Team.

You're one of the babies of the team, right? You’re only 21 so what do you remember from the former great Women’s National Teams?

Well yeah, I’m only 21, just turned 21, so yeah, I’m one of the babies here but there a few younger than me. I remember… well, the earliest moment or experience that I remember is the 1999 World Cup when it was at the Rose Bowl here in California. Since I’m from California I was able to go to the games. That was the first time I got interested, actually the first time I even knew what a World Cup was. In 99 I was….12? 12 years old? (laughs) Yeah, I was really young. For me it was great to see that. I had no idea that one day I would be here. I just remember watching them and thinking of how cool they were and I wanted their autographs, I wanted to be just like them. It’s unique you know? It’s very special to me to be able to be playing among these people that I once had their posters on my wall.

Shannon Boxx

Mano Gil: Did last year’s defeat to Brazil leave a sour taste? Was it something hard to swallow just like when Norway beat the US in the World Cup semifinals?

Boxx: No, it wasn’t. I think Brazil outplayed us that day. I think it was a tough game. We played with ten men (sic) for over 45 minutes but even before I got called out on that one, I think they were showing a lot more intensity than us. So I think that day they were better than us. That’s what it was. That’s how it happens with soccer.

And do you see the others countries evolving and improving their game?

Yes and that’s great. We were blessed that we started early in Women’s Soccer. We got support from our Federation and we were able to make this sport our job. And now other countries Federations like Brazil, like Germany, are investing in women soccer too. For me this is great. They look at us and they say “look how good they are and we want to be great too”. For me it’s just great to see women soccer develop everywhere.

Are we gonna see Shannon Boxx playing another World Cup?

You know what? I hope so. I’m gonna play until my body tells me I can’t play or someone takes my spot so I’m excited I’m having fun. I’m actually completely recovered from my knee injury. Pia has a passion to play soccer and it’s coming out on me.

And are you going to convince Kristine Lilly to come back?

Yes we are!!! For sure!!! That will be a plus

Pia Sundhage – Head Coach

Mano Gil: Women’s Soccer has developed Last world cup 120 teams played the qualifiers, 16 made it to the finals… Do you think that for the next World Cup it is time to raise the number to 24 teams?

Pia Sundhage: Well… yeah, I’ve been around Women’s Soccer and around FIFA people saying we need more teams. I’d say if you compare the level of 1991 to today so many things have happened I think it’s about time that we get more teams and make that tournament even bigger because the women’s game is improving everyday pretty much.

It’s well known that you’re a very competent coach, a great strategist but with Greg Ryan who is an excellent coach he had one defeat last year and his job was on the line. Do you worry about this pressure, this responsibility, this necessity to win?

No, no… because I get my energy from inspiration. This practice for instance, we didn’t win any game today but we won a lot of things on the field. We talked about the way we want to play, I saw a lot of smiles, I heard a lot of discussions. That’s the way to the next winning game, the way to the gold. That’s what counts It‘s goods to know where we’re going. Everybody wants the gold I want to win the next game and I want to win it in a certain way. It’s not just the about the three points. And if I don’t survive the Olympic Games I had a great time and I’ll have great thing to take back to Sweden or to whatever country I go to next.

 Mano Gil interviewing Amy Rodriguez

Abby Wambach signing a souvernir for a fan

They've just announced the draw for the quarter-finals of the 2008 UEFA Champions League:

Here are the matches and a quick personal analysis:

Game 1: Arsenal X Liverpool

The game that every football fan were dying to see. This match is probably the most interesting match of the four. Last time these two teams played was on October 28th at the Anfield. The score ended 1-1 and some curious facts can be pointed to help us predict this clash:

*Liverpool scored early in the game with a free kick from Gerrard. The equalizer came with Fabregas but only at minute 79.

*Fernando "El Niño" Torres only played the first 45 minutes and left the pitch injured, now he's fully recovered and playing at his best.

*Eduardo was not even on the bench for that match and now he will once again watch the game from his home.

***MY PREDICTION: Arsenal will not be able to stop "El Niño" and Liverpool will move on to the semi-finals.

Game 2: Roma X Manchester United

If the first game is the most interesting this one is possibly the most exciting. Both teams have tremendous capacity of creating offensive plays so we might see many goals in this draw. That's why, even though one might think Man U are the favorites with Cristiano Ronaldo, Tevez and Rooney leading the pack, I still believe they should not even think of underestimating Pizarro, Mancini and Totti.

***MY PREDICTION: I'll be cheering for Roma on this one because of my "homeboy" Mancini but I believe Manchester United is indeed a stronger side and will advance.

Game 3: Schalke 04 X Barcelona

Well, well, well... If Ronaldinho plays his best, if Henry forgets about his unhappiness, if Etto scores the necessary goals then Barcelona will have an easy path to the semifinals. The only problems is that a football match is never decided by "IFs". Schalke made this far for a reason so the Catalan Team will have to foccus and play well without their Wonder Kid Lional Messi.

***MY PREDICTION: Ronaldinho is eager to shut up his critics and I'm expecting him to perform his best, with that been said, it's Barcelona in the semifinals.

Game 4: Fenerbahçe X Chelsea FC

This is not gonna be pretty. Chelsea doesn't follow the "play beautifully" slogan. They play to win and that's it. Fenerba'hçe on the other hand plays with heart. They might not have the best team on the paper but their home crowd can make all the difference. It's not gonna be easy for Chelsea playing in Turkey. So we might have a surprise with this one.

***MY PREDICITION: Brazilian Coach Zico will infuse passion in his players hearts and Fenerbahçe will repeat Barnsley achievement and knock Chelsea out of the competition.

NOW IT'S YOUR TURN TO AGREE OR DISAGREE...

POST YOUR PREDICITONS!!!