So being as though I am currently un-gainfully un-employed... I thought it the perfect time to become the chick that gets to hang with the guys and talk soccer.
I am like an 11 year old boy when it comes to soccer. Mind you, according to my soccer aficionado son, I am like an 11 year old boy, who maybe doesn't really know all the nuances of the game, and maybe is a bit unclear about all the rules, and maybe has the eyesight of a bat, skewed to favor my team. But I have the enthusiasm of that 11 year old boy who has a bit of hero-worship going on for the players.
Today my blog will address one of Miguels questions:
Who will the break out player of the 2013 Season be?
First off let me say, with Frank Yallop coaching, I think there will be more than one. From my discussions with the players (very select sampling at last years Soccer Silicon Valley Community Foundation Fundraiser) , they LOVE playing for Frank Yallop. He is a player's coach. He lets the magic happen. Any wonder Wondo, and Lenny and Gordon all were top goal scorers in the league? Coincidence that Marvin Chavez blossomed so nicely last season? I think it's the stardust that Frank seemingly sprinkles in the eyes of the players. He seems to empower them to unleash everything they've got!
Now, at the top of my breakout player list is Mike Fucito. I love this guy! Mike may not remember, but we go way back (not as far as he and Charlie Davies...but pretty far.) It was the Sunday after Mike scored an amazing Goonie-style stoppage time goal to give Seattle the victory over what was then the KC Wizards. I was at Starfire in Tukwilla WA (a complex, much like the one the Quakes are developing) with my son, either at a game, or practice, or tryout.....I spent a lot of time at Starfire! I was heading over to the Sounders' fields, because someone had said the reserves were playing. I was too late to watch the game, but ended up walking with Mike for a little bit. Hero worshipping woman that I am, I congratulated him, and pondered if perhaps he had more goals/minute than any other player in the MLS. Mike and I left Seattle within days of each other. When a friend texted me that Mikey was a trialist for the Quakes, I was beside myself with excitement.
Mike is one of the hardest working guy on the pitch. My nickname for him of Sparky never caught on in Seattle, but he was a spark plug out there. The whole field fired up when he would sub on. Opportunities were created. In Seattle, the Emerald City Supporters wore T-shirts touting Church of Fucito. When he bounced around last season, I worried that perhaps this legend in the making may never reach his full potential. Now I think he will be like so many great Harvard grads before him and find gold in Silicon Valley! Mikey, I believe you will be a break out player in 2013, and I can't wait to watch.
