something in the way she moves

This probably has to be one of the toughest months of my footballing career. I remember someone once told me that soccer doesn't owe anybody any favors in this life. It is a beautiful game that cannot be taken for granted and can be a cruel cruel game when not fully appreciated. One example that every footballer no doubt has experienced, is when their team has been dominating possession for the majority of the game, punishing the opposition, controlling the flow and tempo, creating chance after chance, but just can't put the ball in the back of net. The other team has been hanging by a thread but for some reason are still in the game and in the final minute finally catch a break and take advantage of the one mental lapse the opposition makes and scores the game winner. Two minutes later the game is over and one team is devastated and is wondering where they went wrong, and the other team doesn't care about getting dominated for 88 minutes just as long as they have the W in their column. Football this month has been tough.

It's mid March and I am still looking to find the right fit for me on a squad. I have been to LA for three weeks with Chivas USA, a few days in San Jose with the Earthquakes, half a week in Puerto Rico with the Islanders, and now possibly making the short trip north to Seattle to train with the Sounders for a week. I am still waiting to hear from a few teams but who knows what's gonna happen. Through all of this there has been one consistent person in my life that has continued to push me through and through and has not allowed me to give up my dream of playing professional footy, my girlfriend Patty Rodriguez. So this blog is dedicated to her.

I think my main man James Taylor says it best, "If I'm feeling down and blue, and troubled by some foolish game, she always seems to make me change my mind. I feel fine anytime she's around me now." Now not that I would ever call football a foolish game but I think he's got the right idea. Patty understands that a footballers career can be very short and could be over before you know it. I could be in LA right now, coaching a couple teams, taking some classes online or at a JC and spending every single day with her, but instead she would rather have me keep playing at the highest level possible for me and is even willing to buy my flights anywhere in the country. Come on now boys, who wouldn't want a girlfriend like that? I know she will support me in any decision I make, but she always reminds me that good things happen to good people and when you think positive dreams do come true. She's a true testament to that statement as her career in radio has taken off since she started working with Ryan Seacrest on KIIS FM down in LA. I know with her positive attitude, a work ethic like none other and the attitude to not take no for an answer, she is going places. I just hope I can keep up with her.

I know one day we will both look back on this month and have a good laugh about it. I know for a fact that God doesn't put challenges in front of us that we cannot handle. But I tell you what, when you got a girl like Patty on your side, it always helps the cause and no matter how tough it will get, I know she will always be by my side. What more can a man ask for in life?