11/19/2011

We trained twice today, and then had some free time to go to shopping mall, they had grocery store in it.  Everyone was staring at us while we were shopping and looking around.  It was uncomfortable to walk through while everyone was staring at us like celebrities or strangers from another world.   Each of us had to have a partner to walk around the mall.  My partner was Coach Dave, we went to the grocery store, and wow, the store was PACKED, and a long line.  Fortunately, Coach Dave and I found a line that was about to open so we jumped in, but took 30 minutes wait even though there were few people in front of us.  Ken Noll and Trip Neil waited for hour and a half in line, poor guys!  Before we went to bed, we had our first team meeting, to discuss game strategy against Brazil, after that then it’s “traditional” for soccer team to create signing name for each individual before the tournament begins.   Most of the signing names on each were funny; mine was in “taping with a finger-spelling ‘C’”.

Oh yes, we went to the soccer field which is about 30 minutes from the dorm.  We shared the bus with Argentina team….  On the way back, the bus broke down twice,  so we got out of the bus, and the bus driver was looking and fixing the engine,  we had to wait for like an hour, so several USA and Argentina players started to socialize in a good way, which was surprising to us.  It went well and getting to know each other.  Finally, we got back to the dorm safe and sound.    

We have a bye on the first day

Our first game will be on Sunday against Brazil.  We went to watch them play against Mexico, I am no soccer expert, but both teams seemed to play well and ended up with a tie.  Both teams got 1 point due to tie (Win- 3 points, Tie- 1 point, Loss- 0 points). 

In order to qualify for World Cup and Deaflympics, we have to be in top 2 to make it.  It is gonna be tough and keep our fingers crossed that we would play well and qualify. 

Duh me!  I forgot to include all the countries that participate in this tournament, for men- Argentina, Brazil, Venezuela, Mexico and USA.  The women's tournament were cancelled due to low number of teams.  They will be able to go to World Cup.  

Argentina beat 7-1 (4-1, Mercy rule).  We knew that Argentina is a very good skilled team.  We plan to play them on Tuesday Nov. 22.  Hope that game will be clean, fair and square game compared to what happened in Taipei. 

Hola! Hola!

11/17/2011

Finally, “Home Sweet Home” in a different world!  It’s been a LOOOONNNNG trip,  I left my home around 4:00 am on Wednesday November 16^th and flew to Miami to meet the team.  I got the chance to eat lunch with my mom and dad, they drove 3 hours down to Miami Airport to meet me for lunch,  and it was so nice catching up with them.  Then, I got to meet with the team, well, it’s a different team from 2009 Summer Deaflympics with several new faces, most are young and that will certainly help in the future for US Deaf Soccer Association.  Anyway, we left Miami at 4:00 pm, to Colombia for a layover and got to Carracas, Venezuela around midnight.  Then, we jumped in a bus for a 5 hour ride onto the mountains to Barquisimeto.  We didn’t get there til around 7:00 am.  It was a really long trip, and everyone were tired trying to get through the morning.  Finally, we found time to rest for a bit after breakfast and going to training session.  Then, we had another training session in the afternoon so that players can get their bodies loosened up from a long trip. 

I really don’t know how to explain on my blog about Venezuela, It is just interesting about their culture and their past…..  There were a lot of negative issues around us.  So, our main priority is to keep the team stick together and keep an eye on each other.  So far we are doing well, and just hanging in there…..   We already were looking forward to return to USA.  Heh…. 

Home at last!

We got back to America safe and sound.  Its been a long trip but good experience for all of us....   We could not get Wifi or internet access down there.  So, I will post 1 or 2 blogs that I wrote down while I was there for the next several days. 

Here are the pictures! 

http://www.flickr.com/photos/24879088@N04/ you are more than welcome to look at it or look through my facebook page. 

Let me know if you have any trouble looking at pictures.  Thanks for your patience!

Welcome back!

Welcome back!  This time, I was asked to work as an athletic trainer for USA Deaf men's soccer team to Venezuela for Deaf Pan Am soccer tournament.  I am excited for this opportunity and gain more experience as an athletic trainer at an international level.  I am looking forward to reunite with the USA men's deaf soccer team again.  Some of you don't know that I worked with them at 2009 Summer Deaflympics games. (here's the link if you want to read or re-read it, I am surprised it is still there--  http://deaflympicsatc.blogspot.com/)  I had a blast, and am looking forward to work with them again. 

My work company, PRORehab pc. in St. Louis asked me to do another blog and I will be happy to do it again.  I surely hope to have internet access down there.  If we don't have it then I will write it down and post it when I get back.  Either way, I will try to post it daily or every other day. 

I will depart St. Louis on Wednesday, November 16th and return back on November 28th.  I will meet with the team down in Miami on November 16th and travel together down to Venezuela.  I will share with you of my experiences (travelling, entertainment, athletic training, and of course soccer tournament).

Also, I plan to take pictures and post it on this blog or flicker if I can remember how to figure it out.  I am no tech geek.  If anyone could teach me via e-mail, then e-mail me at wcweirjr@gmail.com for tips.  Thanks!