Jersey Chasin'

When telling stories, some of the most fun to share are the ones involving celebrity encounters. This is one of those.

Going on now is, the U-20 Women's World Cup. For the non-soccer fans reading this, I should explain that the tournament is exactly like the World Cup that just concluded in South Africa with a few key differences namely 1) it is held in Germany and 2) the players are all women, ages 20 and below. It is just as competitive as the more well known cup and every bit as inspiring. It is not some rag-tag event, thrown together every few years but is the preeminent showcase of young women's soccer talent the world over. It is a tournament that is prepared for by the players, coaches, organizers and everyone in between.

Having established that, I can proudly say that I know one of the players. Natalie Garcia, a friend of mine from school and a member of USD's women's soccer team is currently in Germany playing for Mexico. To think that towards the end of the year, I was kicking the ball around with someone who would take the pitch a few months later as one of the best young female soccer players in the world makes my head spin. I can say from experience that "Garce" (not Grace... Garce) has a burner of a shot. I should know. I had the misfortune of trying to stop one of them.

This isn't Sports Illustrated or ESPN Magazine so I won't go into an expose on Garce's introduction to the game or her most memorable sporting moment or her most influential coach or her shoe size or her favorite slushee flavor but sharing my pride should be enough. For once, I think I'll root for Mexico.

PHOTOS (sorry about the lack of links... Blogger isn't very link friendly. Copy and paste into your nav bar and ya should be good to go)

http://www.gettyimages.com/detail/102894908/FIFA
http://www.gettyimages.com/detail/102884528/FIFA
http://www.gettyimages.com/detail/102895644/FIFA
http://www.gettyimages.com/detail/102895633/FIFA
http://www.gettyimages.com/detail/102884617/FIFA
http://www.gettyimages.com/detail/102884641/FIFA

VIDEO
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ol348RNHahc&feature=player_embedded