Chastain Ready To Start Playing Again

Former US Women's National Team Star Brandi Chastain talks to Julie Foudy about the return of women's professional soccer. First Training was on Friday and the first FC Gold Pride Match to take place on April 5, 2008 3:00 PM at Buck Shaw Stadium in Santa Clara against the Boston Breakers

You can read about Brandi's first day of training with the FC Gold Pride from her blog: First Practice

So here we are, Friday morning the second to last day of February, ready to enjoy my last weekend before going back to work. That's right, the practices with the Gold Pride begins on Monday. The start of our season is right around the corner. Then it'll two-a-days and all the other things you normally do to get ready for the start of the season.

Crazy. So what will happen (aside from the running) is that the coaches will begin to shape the team's style of play. A lot of "This is what I'd like you to do" from the coaches perspective, establishing the philosophy about how we're going to play, what kind of system we're going to play.

What will also be interesting from Day One is that, for all teams, many of the National Team players won't be there to start. Those players will be gone for a few weeks because there's a national tournament going on in Portugal. So that will also be an interesting wrench that's thrown into the works.

I would assume that all the teams would be building around those players, but with them gone, it will be interesting to see how the other players are handled... some fighting for rosters spots will get more attention, as will those fighting to be starters. Or maybe there's a little less pressure for some people you know. Like, "Ok that player's not here so I can kind of just settle in and be myself."

As for me, I think the question that I get asked most is whether or not I'm ready to compete? They're like, "Ah, you're headed off for the season. Are you ready to go?" I keep coming back with, "What is ready?" I've been away from soccer for about 4 1/2 years. I feel good. So that's my answer. I feel good.

Now I know I'm probably not the fittest I've ever been and maybe not the fastest, but I don't think that's something that's totally necessary right now. We've got a lot of games and you don't want this to be the peak right now. Then two months into the season, you're burning out.

So I'm excited and kind of refreshed. Maybe this layoff for me has been like a good recharging of my batteries. But I don't know what I'm going to feel like after one day or two weeks or one month or the two-a-days leading up to the first game that first week of April. All I know if right now I feel really good, ready to go, and excited to get out for that first practice.

I'll keep you updated and thanks for all the good wishes and encouragement.