Monday, January 26, 2009

Guest Player

The 25-player U.S. Women's National Team training camp roster featured a "+1" today as midfielder Leslie Osborne pulled on national team training gear for the first time since she tore the ACL in her left knee last May, causing her to miss the 2008 Olympics. Osborne is one of the U.S. team's favorite teammates, whose work ethic and positivity always contributes greatly to team chemistry. Osborne, who also had reconstructive surgery on her left ankle to clear up long-lingering issues in the joint, has joined the U.S. team mid-camp to do some light work, but is not allowed in any contact drills. Osborne looked very good, striking balls and going through passing drills, but will take her time getting back to full fitness after the two major surgeries. The light training, which just featured passing patterns and a soccer tennis tournament, came to a rousing end as Osborne was re-instituted to her old job of bringing the team together in a huddle for the end of practice ritual to shout "Team on three! 1,23...Team!" (See above).

"It was a pretty exciting day for me on a lot of different levels," said the 25-year-old Osborne, who has 60 caps for the USA. "It's been along seven and a half months. It's gone by pretty quickly, but still it's been a long time to be out and it's been a lot of hard work. Just to be around my teammates today, I was smiling the whole practice. It makes me appreciate it a lot more and I am excited to get back."

Welcome Back Leslie!

3 comments:

Alondra said...

yayyy!!!!!

cj said...

hey!!welcome back leslie!!great to see u and abby gettin back on the pitch!!

Unknown said...

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH LESLIE =]