Last week Friday was a tense day. The long-anticipated match in which the Trojan women’s soccer team would take on UCLA was not until 7 pm, causing pregame anxiety to set in. On top of everything, the showdown was to take place at the StubHub center; home to the legendary LA Galaxy. This in itself was an exceptional feat.
Considering that the StubHub center is located at a thirty minute drive from USC’s main campus, OIS provided bus transport and game tickets to a select group of international students. At 6:00 pm, a bus full of international Trojan soccer fans left campus for the stadium. Snacks and Trojan swag were generously distributed among the students, in order to further fuel the spirit of victory.
Upon arrival at the StubHub Center, students were provided with their complimentary game tickets, and were directed to their seats. The atmosphere at the game was energetic, but was also exceptionally convivial for such a high-stakes soccer game. USC and UCLA supporters sat together as they cheered on their respective teams. UCLA started off with the advantage, and it was not too surprising when no. 2 Annie Alvarado hammered the ball into the top right corner of the Trojan goal in the 27th minute. For the rest of the game, USC dominated, creating opportunity upon opportunity, but failing to take decisive advantage.
As the whistle blew at the end of the second half, Trojan fans could hardly believe that they had just lost the match. USC had laid siege to the Bruins’ goal for over half an hour, fighting valiantly to break through their rivals’ iron defense. Maybe if they had just had an extra five minutes, they could have landed the equalizer!
Fortunately, soccer fans from both teams left the game feeling contented at seeing their teams compete in the finest arena Los Angeles has to offer. “As much as I am disappointed with the loss, I am really excited for what it has done for women’s soccer within the city, getting to play in this venue, it prepares us to represent the Pac-12 in NCAAs,” said head coach Keidane McAlpine. OIS’ international soccer fans certainly agree!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ose601t-A-0