Test Match #4: Man City U19

In my deepest and roughest German accent I wished the last player in line "Viel Glück" (good luck) as we shook hands before the match. It was my best impression of the Icelandic player from D2: The Mighty Ducks.


After a solid diet of German for the past month, it was a welcome relief to hear English spoken again, even if it was a bit squeaky and unintelligible coming from those foul-mouthed little Mancs. On the field, I took this rare opportunity to trash talk any of them who came within earshot. It felt good to know my insults could be understood again, and the Manchester kids were a little surprised to get a good lashing in their native tongue.


The game was decided in the final minutes by a free kick that was buried in the upper corner by one of the MCFC youngsters. So as is tradition, I said in my deepest Icelandic accent, "Let's go shake their hawnds." Unfortunately, no one on my team understands Icelandic.

Out with the Old, In with the Neu.

On just 4 days notice I made my return to Germany for an opportunity with the 5th division side VfL Oldenburg. I left Friday afternoon, arrived Saturday night, and was set to play a test match with them on Sunday. Shortly after arriving at the club, I found out that they had just signed two centerbacks (the position I was expecting to fill for them) on Friday and Saturday. Either way, I took the news like a champion and played 90 minutes on Sunday in a 4-1 win.


After the catastrophe with Oldenburg, I was fortunate that an opportunity arose with another Oberliga side, TSG Neustrelitz. So, I went directly to Neustrelitz and I have been testing here for the past 10 days or so. In that time, I have played 3 matches with the club, one being against the newly relegated (from 2nd to 3rd div) side Hansa Rostock. It was a good experience for me, and I played well against Hansa. But alas, their quality showed on most parts of the field and they smashed us up 0-4.

Neustrelitz is an hour's train ride North of Berlin. The town is small, but classy. I am staying next to an outdoor theater that has a summer line up of shows. I am currently being serenaded by an opera in German.

Archived Quote - Goonies

Goonies NEVER Say Die.
-Mikey

Back to the Rheinland

Tuck in t-shirts, shave the tops and sides of your head, and cut the last quarter of your pants -- We're going back to Germany.


Zee Germans are known for their punctuality, organization, and lack of humor. Well today I learned that there are exceptions to all cultural generalizations. Germany played Argentina in the quarter finals of the World Cup today. I am blaming this match for the entire breakdown of the German transportation system. My flight (Air Berlin) was delayed 3 and a 1/2 hours, my luggage was lost (without making a connection) for 2 hours, and my train was 45 minutes retarded (that's actually what they call it).


As I waited for my train, I attempted to buy a snack from a vending machine. But apparently the machines won't dispense food when it's too hot (it was in the upper 90s) to prevent spoilage. Clever, right? So, do you know what doesn't spoil? The mystery meats in a hot dog vending machine. Don't worry, the machine cooks it for you. Deutschländer XXL, anyone?


But the highlight of the day goes to the girl flipping off the entire train when it prevented her from crossing the road. Some things do not get lost in translation.

Supertino

After being away from States for over 6 months, it was good to be back. I have to admit, during my first few days I had a reverse culture shock. At the supermarket I was a bit overwhelmed being surrounded by so many English-speakers. I have been used to being in my own reality when running errands and hearing only white noise. Yes, I could make sense of the static, but sometimes it was nice just to do my own thing. Also the customer service of the stores and the politeness of strangers took me off guard. I had also forgotten how awesome it was to have all my choices available in one place, and not having to go to 2 stores and an apotheke (drugstore) just to finish my grocery shopping. God Bless America.


It was great to see so much of my friends and family. When I do, it always reminds me how fortunate I am. So I am going to share some highlights of the visit:

Within my first week back, my family reunited in Cupertino (Brock and Dina flew in, and Sage drove down). There were jokes that we should have taken xmas photos while we had everyone together. Next, I headed down to Santa Barbara to officially graduate and walk (only 2 years late, but just right for Kyle Time). I tried be a cool guy and keep my sunglasses on for the ceremony. Some of my friends were riding me for how white I was, so I had to explain to them that the sun doesn't always visit the rest of the world.


I stayed with my 2nd set of parents down in Santa Barbara, Bob and Jen, who put me up in their pool house. They were even cool enough to let a friend, Peter, crash in Bob's VW van for a few nights. I met Peter while playing in Düsseldorf and I think he felt at home in zee German auto.


It was Peter's first time in America, so I enjoyed showing him all the stuff he was missing out on - Costco, In-N-Out, SUV's, and Mexican food. We drove down to Ventura to meet up with my buddy Ross, and Ross gave us some lessons on how to surf: I want you to ignore your instincts. Koonu will be your instincts. Don't try to surf, don't do it. The less you do, the more you do... Let's see you pop up... Pop it up... No, too slow. Do less... You're doing too much.


After Peter flew home, I drove back up north and was able to catch Jav's younger brothers perform their first show in SF. It was pretty sweet. Below I am standing between Jav and Jaime, Chrisitian (Jaime's cousin) is on the right. Jaime has like 40 cousins and I have met almost all of them.


On the Monday of the last week of June I got a call from my agent, Ari, telling me that there is an opportunity for me at the end of the week in Germany. So I scrambled to find a ticket leaving that Friday. Right after talking with Ari, I got a call inviting me to play with the Earthquakes against the U-20 US team. It's funny how sometimes there is nothing, and then everything happens all at once. Maybe that's what life is -- being prepared to make the most out of that phone call.