Preseason with the Breakers: The short version

A week into preseason with the Boston Breakers and yes, I’m sore, tired and perhaps I’m not sure what day it is, but there’s much more to update you on than the condition of my mind and body.

Just kidding.

That’s all there is. Preseason, for those of you who have never experienced it, is similar to spring cleaning. Spring cleaning is something you prepare for beforehand, yet it’s always harder than you think. It’s getting the rust and dust out of places there shouldn’t be rust and dust and figuring out what you should keep and what you should get rid of. In soccer, it’s realizing some bad habits might have snuck in and getting rid of them, while developing new, better ones. It’s a lot of excitement in your mind but physically taxing enough to make you think, man I came into this guns a blazin and now my guns are a [GOOGLE SEARCH: something that rhymes with blazin and means tired.]

It’s almost always the same. But it’s so wonderful in a lot of ways. You’re basically given this time to get to know your teammates, what they’re like on and off the field, as well as the coaches and staff. It’s like the “talking” part before dating someone. Except it’s accelerated and you know you’re going to end up with these people no matter what. It also gives you a chance to put into play all the things you worked on individually in the offseason, which to me, is magical.

You start talking to people you’ve known for five days as if you’ve known them for five years, just because you are spending so much time with them and they gave you their last piece of melon. Or you took it and they didn’t notice.

I have made some new friends here already. It’s nice having people close to my age on the team – Natasha Dowie, Angela Salem and Amanda DaCosta, yet I’m still a solid five years ahead of them in the calendar of life. As much as I try to say “hey us oldies…” they think I’m in a class of my own. Fair enough I guess. But then there are some who are more than ten years younger than me. Morgan Andrews is 21 years old. (Eyes popping out face) It’s incredible. And cool. Because when we’re all on the field, everyone is the same, no matter the age or where they came from (even if they’re from Canada), we’re one team and we have one goal and that’s the beauty of a team sport.

So, if you’re looking for a team to follow this year in the NWSL I would highly suggest following the Boston Breakers. We have a lot of spunk. And we’re pretty decent at soccer too. And not to mention we have Rose Lavelle. Whose dog has an under bite.

Just like spring cleaning, you always feel better and accomplished when it’s done. So, I’ll have something more energetic to write for you when preseason is over. I promise.

#BreakersStrong