Reims and USA vs. Spain

Yesterday, Stephanie and I took a one-day trip to Reims. For those of you like me who perhaps do not know the proper French pronunciation of Reims, start with the word France, then drop the F at the beginning, then make the n a hybrid of an n and an m, so something like rams or rance. Reims is the unofficial capital of the Champagne region of France, so we were sure to pay proper homage at a cafe on the place de la crypt (or something very like that).

Soon enough, though, it was time to prepare for the main event, the reason were in Reims in the first place - it was time to prepare for the United States Women's National Team to take on Spain in the round of 16 of the world cup.

Quick aside - a good chunk of the inspiration for this entire trip was a trip Stephanie and I took 4 years ago to Vancouver during the last women's world cup. We so enjoyed it that Stephanie decided we were definitely coming to France this time. So here we are.

Back to Reims. It was clear even in Paris that American soccer fans were flooding in for the tournament, and to support our team. That become comically obvious on the train from Paris to Reims, and we met up with the supporter group watch party ahead of the game. The whole group marched through downtown Reims over to the stadium.

The game was at 6:00 local time, and it was freaking hot. Like, I assume the players didn't have 3 glasses of champagne before the game, but it was a physical challenge to sit in the sun that long. The stakes were serious now, with the winner moving on and the loser being knocked out of the  tournament. Spain came in as something of an unknown. They have improved a lot in the last few years, and that showed up on Monday. They were tactically and technically very strong, able to deftly control the ball and keep possession far more than most U.S. opponents. The game was tight, with both teams scoring in the first 15 minutes, then nothing for the next hour of play. Between the heat, the pressure, and the strong opponent, things got tense. And then American Hero Megan Rapinoe ensured the U.S. would play another day by finishing off her second penalty kick of the game, and we celebrated a hard-fought victory.

And that means we get to see one more game, this one back in Paris, agains France (the home team for those of you not keeping up). Rapinoe is hoping for, and I think she will get, a shitshow circus around the match on Friday, and all four of us will be there for it. Stephanie barely survived the first game (see her below on the train back to Paris this morning), who knows if any of us, or the USWNT will survive the next.




USA!