The Beautiful Game

1. The Beautiful Game Jonathan LittmanMegan Gottschalk3/19/13Period 3

2. Interests “ The Beautiful Game” was a book that I could easily relate to which really sparked my interest. The whole lesson behind the journey that these girls went through is extremely incredible. I really enjoyed reading about how Emira Salzmann pushed the girls to a victory.

3. Facts I Knew Prior to reading “The Beautiful Game’ I knew that the Santa Rosa United Thunder Soccer team was coached by a soccer dad. I also knew that the girls on the team had a great victory in the State Cup Championships in 1998. Finally I knew that the girls were coached by an All-American soccer player with a long soccer history.

4. Facts I Learned: Santa Rosa, San Francisco Once I began to read, I found out that Santa Rosa wasn’t a very wealthy area. The United Thunder team was located in the unpopular part of San Francisco. The team had to work hard to present themselves to a high ranking coach in order for her to coach them.

5. Facts I learned: Teenage Soccer Players As I continued reading, I found out that being a female teenage soccer player is very difficult. Females tend to put more pressure on themselves. Girls also isolate themselves when they are focused on their sport. They must overcome their emotions and thoughts that distract them from their goals.

6. Facts I learned: Soccer with beneficial results As Jonathan Little explained, four hours of exercise a week can help reduce girls risk of getting cancer by 60%. Females encouraged to play a sport are more likely to prevent the genes of osteoporosis in their families.

7. Facts I learned: Females need Role Models Emiria Salzmann was very persistent when trying to be firm but encouraging. Females don’t regularly receive the same amount of support as males do. Girls need someone to look up to and relate to. Salzmann became multiple girls role model from her outstanding efforts in the sport of soccer.

8. Facts I learned: United Thunder’s Journey I learned how this group of girls grew into a strong family. They started as individuals who didn’t know each other and are ended as a championship team. They won multiple games and many tournaments.

9. Most Interesting Information The most interesting piece of information I found in this book was the paragraph on the difficulties of being a teenage female soccer player. As a current soccer player these facts were news to me and I in my 10 years of playing soccer I have never heard of these useful tips.

10. Critique This book is such an inspiration to young soccer players across the globe. Jonathan Littman uses such clear and descriptive words that you can feel the teams emotions. “The Beautiful Game” is a book full of courage and determination. I would highly recommend this book to others because of its encouragement and teamwork that the team displays as they grow together.

11. Significance Soccer is such an important sport to society because of what its results are. Not only soccer but other sports as well are so hard to master and the only way you can achieve that is to work together. What you get out of soccer is courage, determination, trust, and teamwork. Any event, person, or thing that can put in so little and get such a huge reward is an incredible lesson learned.