The whole world is watching.
The planet’s most widely viewed sporting event, known simply as the World Cup, kicks off today in Munich. Germany plays host to the 32-nation men’s soccer tournament this go-round. Held every four years, the World Cup crowns a champion after a whopping 64 matches in the span of one month.
Two days after the World Cup concludes July 9 in Berlin – before a viewing audience estimated anywhere between 300 million and 1 billion for the title match alone – Grand Junction (population 42,000) will get its very own taste from World Cup experience.
Shannon MacMillan, a member of the U.S. team that won the 1999 Women’s World Cup, takes Shannon Mac Soccer Camps for girls to Colorado’s Western Slope from July 11-14. The 31-year-old from Cardiff, Calif., started the camps this year to stress both the fun and fundamentals of the beautiful game she knows so well.
Despite achieving one World Cup title, two Olympic medals and three years in the WUSA, MacMillan never enjoyed the opportunity that her camps afford.
“I started my camps because as a young girl growing up I didn’t have strong female role models like the girls today,” said MacMillan. “I basically followed my big brother around and did whatever he did. I wanted to give all the girls out there an opportunity to not only meet, but also learn from players who have played at the highest level possible, from World Cups and Olympics to the WUSA and college.”
Joining MacMillan at the camp in Grand Junction’s Canyon View Park will be Joy Fawcett, the most experienced defender in the history of the U.S. women’s national team. Fawcett played every minute of every game in the 1995 World Cup, ’96 Olympics, ’99 Women’s World Cup, 2000 Olympics and ’03 World Cup. Fawcett’s know-how in thwarting goals, coupled with MacMillan’s scoring them, rounds out the learning experience.
“Joy was the best defender in the world, and who better to learn from than her?” said MacMillan. “I am a more offensive-minded player, so Joy will bring an unmatched knowledge of the defensive side of the game to all the girls.”
The camps are scheduled to run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. each of the four days, with MacMillan, Fawcett and the rest of the staff with national-team experience roaming between squads no larger than 15 throughout the camp. Registration will be capped at 150 girls, said MacMillan.
|
SHANNON MAC SOCCER CAMPS
|
|
|
In addition to the drill work, footwork, speed work, the $375 registration fee entitles the girls to a T-shirt, ball and other goodies along with a chance at prizes, which are awarded each day. The camp concludes with a “World Cup” tournament, to which parents are invited.
Just one more question, Shannon. Of all the soccer hotbeds, why the seat of Mesa County?
“My brother and his family moved to Grand Junction,” she said. “My niece, Brooke, is a little stud soccer player, and she would probably kick me out of the family if I didn’t do a camp for her!”
2006 World Cup coverage
As a 12-year veteran of the U.S. women’s nation team still active in the squad’s player pool, MacMillan said she’d have her TiVo at the ready when the men open play vs. the Czech Republic on Monday at 9:55 a.m. MDT. The game will be broadcast on ESPN2 and Univision.
DenverPost.com gets into the act, too, with a number of online exclusives to complement the coverage by :
* : Alex Ooms’ SoccerBawl sheds light on the World Cup: “(I)f the sports don’t interest you, the politics should …”
* : Check out the latest news, photos, video and a blog from The Associated Press. The interactive also includes a calendar, venue information, a Cup quiz and much more.
An online exclusive that runs each Friday, examines the memorable, less visible and lighthearted aspects of Colorado’s sports landscape. DenverPost.com sports producer Bryan Boyle can be reached at bboyle@denverpost.com.
From the columns
“If any more proof were needed of the creeping urbanization of Colorado’s mountains, it can be found in the current controversy over possible recreational shooting restrictions in parts of the Arapaho-Roosevelt National Forest.”
From the mailbags
“I think the biggest thing this offseason is whether Blake will be back or not. I think it’s going to be a 50-50 proposition myself. I think Blake won’t sign anything with the Avs until he sees what some offers are around the league.”
From the message boards
“After hearning so much from other people about how realistic MLB 06 The Show is, i went out and bought it. They were so right! I’ve been playing at least one, if not two games a day with my Rockies!” — pizzangames
From the online exclusives
Get in the bloghouse! Check out a new blog to DenverPost.com from Denver Post staff writer Jason Blevins, who writes regulary for The Post’s . Blevins focuses the blog on adventure sports and outdoor recreation. Look for the jaw-dropping photograph with the May 26 entry.
A look back
 |
| Post / Hyoung Chang |
|
In this photo shot Sept. 26, 1999, Danielle Fotopoulos (No. 22) and Shannon MacMillan celebrate one of MacMillan’s two goals as the United States overwhelmed Brazil 6-0 in an exhibition game at Mile High Stadium, a rematch of the 1999 Women’s World Cup semifinals. |