USWNT Olympic Qualifying

I have been brought to tears on the sidelines as the stands around me burst into cries of joy, the players on the field running to leap over barriers in their craze to celebrate an Open Cup quarterfinal victory. I have stood teeth chattering in the net on the field after being anointed with ice-cold water from a bright orange vat of Gatorade for synching playoffs. Fresh out of my first season marketing for my home state's pro-soccer team—who made a notable run at the U.S. Open Cup and made playoffs in their premier year—I am fortunate my first brushes with soccer were in the home stands among the largest record-breaking crowds in the United Soccer League (USL) Championship or the away section of Major League Soccer teams. Even such historic matches, however, pale in comparison to watching my lavender/pink-haired heroine play on my favorite soccer team.

There was no question in my mind whether I wanted tickets—only eight hundred and one miles now stood between the lens of my Canon EOS Rebel T6 and Megan Rapinoe's cleats on the grass of Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California. Without a second thought I sent my friend the money and within minutes had my spot reserved for the USWNT Olympic Qualifying semifinal and final matches before they even went on sale to the general public. I had no way of getting there or anywhere to stay, but I had tickets to see Rapinoe play! Read More: