Soccer on FIRE

Chicago, pizza, beer and futball.  Who in there right mind would think that anything involving those components wasn't a good time?! Just a few days ago I took yet another adventurous trip to the windy city to see the men in red, Chicago Fire, take on Columbus Crew on a chilly September evening.  The Fire have been on a mean winning streak that has landed them a second place standing in their MLS division.  I had been to several Fire games previous years, but every game I have been to they come up short.  Needless to say I thought maybe bringing a little Iowa flavor with me to Toyota Park was a bad omen...  SPOILER ALERT: Fire actually won their game 2-1 this time! 

Anyways, the game was great!  First 5,000 fans in the stadium received a free Chicago Fire mini soccer ball compliments of ALDI.  Well isn't that a fancy way of advertising, way to go ALDI!  Since their headquarters is located in Berlin, Germany, they know how soccer is the way to get the good people in their stores.  HaHa.  Relating to that, Quaker Oats is the new sponsor of the Fire.  They signed a three year, $7.5 million dollar deal with the Fire.  The company shares similar goals with the Fire about trying to reach the youth and living a healthier life style.  It was a surprise to me because in my hometown of Cedar Rapids, Iowa Quaker Oats is one of the largest companies in the city!  So knowing I have somewhat of a connection to the Fire from Quaker Oats in CR was pretty neat to discover. 

Anyways, it was great to see a competitive match versus the two teams.  It was a chilly 50 degrees, but after tailgating, bundling up, and cheering you get pretty warm.  The Fire came back from being down an early goal to win the game 2-1.  This helped them gain more points and stay on top in that #2 spot!  Chicago: the city that I love, the team that I love, the pizza that I love,  and the memories that I cherish forever.  Thanks for another great trip!  One for the books. 

Love the Business.  Love the Game.

Have a wonderful week!

~Jule 

End of an Era

Those of you who share the passion for soccer like I do will understand what a bummer it is for Pia Sundhage's to be leaving our women's national team.  After five years in charge of this amazing team with a World Cup Final, 2 Olympic Gold Medal, and a record of 91-6-10, I think it is safe to say Pia was an amazing coach.  She will be greatly missed.  She took the field for her final game today against Australia where the US women came out on top 6-2.  Shoot whey was I in class when I should have been watching Pia's final game?  "Today is Pia's day", said Wambach, "And the best thing we could give her is a win."  Could not have said it better myself Abby!  "She is going to fulfill her dreams and we are going to fulfill ours" said Solo.  The team is heartbroken to see her go, but really the moment is bittersweet.  Pia brought the game to life, and raised it to a new level of play.  She has grown women's soccer so much and has inspired so many players- myself very much included.  I love the game so much, and I love Pia and will miss her like she was my own coach.  The women's team gave Pia a guitar signed by all of them in GOLD to take back with her to Sweden. We will especially miss her singing!  Goodluck with everything Pia, you rock girl! Love the Business <3 Love the Game <3

Catch highlights of Pia's last game below.

UNI Soccer

Hello Fabulous Followers of Fabulousness :)

I hope you all had a wonderful week!  School is getting crazy busy, but it is SO much fun and I love every minute.  I went to my first UNI Women's soccer game here a few weeks ago and it was great!  The girls didn't win....but they played really well and the atmosphere at the game was fantastic (even though it was hotter then Hades) we still had a great time.

I honestly would not have known about the game had the athletic department not promoted it so much. I think the main reason it was promoted so much was because it was a in-state rival team, the Iowa Hawkeyes, but regardless they did an AWESOME job of getting the word out!  I mean really I got oh, about three e-mails reminding me of the game.  Including the date, location, directions to the location, information in the team, links to the UNI soccer page, and more.  And there were A LOT of people there!  It was so fun!  I really just wanted to give a shout out to the athletic marketing department for promoting the game so well, sure got me there ;)  The girls fought a great game, and that is what it is truely all about.  Leaving It All On The Field.  BOOM!  Looks to be a promising season for these awesome ladies.  And hey, if you are a UNI student reading this....go SUPPORT your panthers and see them play next September 14th vs. North Dakota State at the Cedar Valley Youth Soccer Complex.  Just do it.  For realzzzzzz.

Until next time, have a wonderful week!

Love the business, Love the game

~Jule

Welcome Welcome Friends!

Hello there!

This is a first post, and an intro to what you are getting into.

I hope you know you have stumbled upon something really awesome here-for real.  A blog that is inspired by my incredible love for the game of soccer AND my interest in a future career in advertising.  For my digital advertising class we have been assigned to to take something we love, soccer DUH, and combine that with the world of social media.  Sounds THRILLFUL eh?  You bet!  I will be writing/posting photos/ sharing videos/ and sharing with all you wonderful people what is happening in the women's soccer industry as it relates to the business aspect of things (and also throwing in some fun facts and updates  about players and such along the way).  Don't let the word BUSINESS scare you off, I promise not to bore you!  This will be something like you have never read before.  LOVE the business, LOVE the game.

I appreciate you stopping by! This blog will be a lot of fun. Are you SoccerREDy?!?!

Fun fact of the day, my blog name is inspired by soccer (duh) and my red on the head.

Have a fabulous day!
~Jule