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Canales Daily: Advice For the First Soccer Mom
Soccer has gained a hold on the cultural landscape of America - even the upcoming First Family participates in the game. One of the stars of women's soccer, Aly Wagner, passes on advice in the game to soccer mom Michelle Obama.
Nov 26, 2008 1:42:31 PM
By Andrea Canales
The manicured green lawns surrounding the White House could have a soccer ball rolling over them soon.
Michelle Obama is headed to the White House with her family. What endears her to many in the country is how the First Lady-to-be is just like any other American mom, especially those who get their children involved in the worldwide sport of soccer.
With Malia, her eldest, a regular participant in Chicago's youth leagues, Michelle Obama is the quintessential soccer mom.
Coincidentally, women's soccer is on the rise again, with a new league, Women's Professional Soccer, set to launch in 2009, the same year the Obama Family will begin to occupy the White House.
Olympic gold medalist Aly Wagner, a star midfielder who now plays for the Los Angeles Sol, offered the First Soccer Mom some advice to help keep the game a healthy pastime for her children.
More than most, Wagner understood the role a soccer mom can play in a daughter's life.
"My mother was my first coach," explained Wagner. "We had games on the weekend and practice two times a week."
When she started playing, Wagner was seven, the same age as Sasha Obama, the youngest daughter of the First Family.
Even at that point, the game fascinated Wagner.
"I loved the challenge the competition brought," said the midfielder, known for her creative passes. "I loved to dribble."
Wagner emphasized that even though scoring a goal gets a lot of attention, parents should praise a child's improvement in other areas which are crucial to the game.
"I liked the little goals, whether it was learning to do a stepover move or passing with the inside of my foot," Wagner explained.
Women's Professional Soccer is facing a tough road in this difficult economic climate, but Wagner can testify to the power a positive role model brings. Growing up in the Bay Area, she looked up to Brandi Chastain, who she first noticed as a college star at Santa Clara.
"I saw that there was more to be accomplished in soccer," said Wagner. "It seemed like an awesome stage, where people would come and sit in the stands and watch you play. Then [Chastain] went off and played in the Olympics and the World Cup. I realized it was something I could do."
Chastain became even more famous when she scored the winning penalty kick in the 1999 World Cup and celebrated that moment in classic soccer style, pulling her shirt over her head for a fist-pumping moment.
Though the Obama girls may not become professional players, Wagner was proud that the league can offer talented female athletes that option.
"Girls can have something to shoot for, just like boys think about playing professionally," said Wagner. "If they love it, they can have that dream."
Not surprisingly, Wagner believed that Michelle Obama and millions of other soccer moms have made a wise choice in getting their children involved in the game. She cited specific health concerns about many kids not getting enough activity.
"In terms of keeping kids athletic, soccer is the the ultimate sport," Wagner noted. "You're constantly running and moving."
It's hard for many children to find a gym workout interesting, but the game play and competition of soccer can be an important motivator.
"You're chasing the ball, so it keeps your mind off the running as actual exercise," said Wagner. "Kids don't get bored with it. I think soccer and basketball rank up there with keeping kids interested and active and off their couches and away from the TV screen."
Barack Obama, in fact, is well-known as an avid basketball player, but he has put time in as a soccer dad as well, going to Malia's games and giving her advice and encouragement from the sidelines.
A final benefit of the sport is one that could help the Obama girls transition to their new surroundings in Washington. Soccer is a game that builds teamwork, because it's more about working together than individual glory. Wagner cited close friendships that built from her time in the game.
"We formed such tight bonds," said Wagner. "We learned to get along with other girls, and work together and focus on working as part of a team."
Andrea Canales is Chief Editor of Goal.com USA
The manicured green lawns surrounding the White House could have a soccer ball rolling over them soon.
Michelle Obama is headed to the White House with her family. What endears her to many in the country is how the First Lady-to-be is just like any other American mom, especially those who get their children involved in the worldwide sport of soccer.
With Malia, her eldest, a regular participant in Chicago's youth leagues, Michelle Obama is the quintessential soccer mom.
Coincidentally, women's soccer is on the rise again, with a new league, Women's Professional Soccer, set to launch in 2009, the same year the Obama Family will begin to occupy the White House.
Olympic gold medalist Aly Wagner, a star midfielder who now plays for the Los Angeles Sol, offered the First Soccer Mom some advice to help keep the game a healthy pastime for her children.
More than most, Wagner understood the role a soccer mom can play in a daughter's life.
"My mother was my first coach," explained Wagner. "We had games on the weekend and practice two times a week."
When she started playing, Wagner was seven, the same age as Sasha Obama, the youngest daughter of the First Family.
Even at that point, the game fascinated Wagner.
"I loved the challenge the competition brought," said the midfielder, known for her creative passes. "I loved to dribble."
Wagner emphasized that even though scoring a goal gets a lot of attention, parents should praise a child's improvement in other areas which are crucial to the game.
"I liked the little goals, whether it was learning to do a stepover move or passing with the inside of my foot," Wagner explained.
Women's Professional Soccer is facing a tough road in this difficult economic climate, but Wagner can testify to the power a positive role model brings. Growing up in the Bay Area, she looked up to Brandi Chastain, who she first noticed as a college star at Santa Clara.
"I saw that there was more to be accomplished in soccer," said Wagner. "It seemed like an awesome stage, where people would come and sit in the stands and watch you play. Then [Chastain] went off and played in the Olympics and the World Cup. I realized it was something I could do."
Chastain became even more famous when she scored the winning penalty kick in the 1999 World Cup and celebrated that moment in classic soccer style, pulling her shirt over her head for a fist-pumping moment.
Though the Obama girls may not become professional players, Wagner was proud that the league can offer talented female athletes that option.
"Girls can have something to shoot for, just like boys think about playing professionally," said Wagner. "If they love it, they can have that dream."
Not surprisingly, Wagner believed that Michelle Obama and millions of other soccer moms have made a wise choice in getting their children involved in the game. She cited specific health concerns about many kids not getting enough activity.
"In terms of keeping kids athletic, soccer is the the ultimate sport," Wagner noted. "You're constantly running and moving."
It's hard for many children to find a gym workout interesting, but the game play and competition of soccer can be an important motivator.
"You're chasing the ball, so it keeps your mind off the running as actual exercise," said Wagner. "Kids don't get bored with it. I think soccer and basketball rank up there with keeping kids interested and active and off their couches and away from the TV screen."
Barack Obama, in fact, is well-known as an avid basketball player, but he has put time in as a soccer dad as well, going to Malia's games and giving her advice and encouragement from the sidelines.
A final benefit of the sport is one that could help the Obama girls transition to their new surroundings in Washington. Soccer is a game that builds teamwork, because it's more about working together than individual glory. Wagner cited close friendships that built from her time in the game.
"We formed such tight bonds," said Wagner. "We learned to get along with other girls, and work together and focus on working as part of a team."
Andrea Canales is Chief Editor of Goal.com USA
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