I've mentioned several times here that I've played soccer off and on for most of my life. I played outdoor soccer year-round as a kid in California, then checked out indoor soccer after we moved to Colorado and also started coaching youth soccer several years ago. Last weekend, my soccer-related activities came to a screeching halt as I ruptured the Achilles tendon in my right leg.

It happened during an indoor game with our company team last Sunday. About 30 seconds into the game, I received the ball, turned toward the goal, and suddenly felt like I'd been toe-kicked right above my right heel. I also felt a "pop" and stumbled forward. I limped/hopped my way off the field, not sure what had happened but it was clear that something was very wrong with my foot. I could mostly control it, but not well and it wouldn't hold weight. I learned later that a couple other guys on the team heard the "pop". Yikes.

I managed to drive myself home and then we went to the ER to have it looked at. They didn't even need to take any images of it to know what had happened... apparently, it's that obvious when it happens. I was splinted up, given pain meds and crutches, and referred to an orthopedic surgeon.

So this week has really sucked... As if the pain in my lower right leg weren't enough, I'm using crutches for the first time in my life. Short distances aren't too bad, but a few longer ventures this week have left my wrists and armpits very sore. And I really don't like being so dependent on others for simple things.

Anyway, I've got surgery scheduled for this Tuesday afternoon. It's an out-patient procedure that takes a couple of hours or so. After that, I have to stay off it for 10 days and will be in a cast for 6 weeks or so. Then comes the torture physical therapy... but, I'm told that I can be back on the field later this year (end of summer or fall). Assuming, of course, that I feel like I can trust it... maybe the trust will come back as it gets stretched and strengthened this spring. We'll see.

I learned that this is a very common sports-related injury for men as we get older, especially those who play sports with a lot of start-stop motion. I stretch pretty regularly and my calves are fairly strong, but it's "just one of those things". The more interesting fact is that it almost never happens with women. I'm told that the only time Achilles problems occur for women is when they frequently wear high-heels.

So... if this weblog gets some really wacky posts over the next couple of weeks, blame it on the meds.

Technorati tags: achilles, achilles tendon, orthopedic, injuries

From this page on the Yahoo/FIFA official site:

Donovan, for his part, denied that this was a "crushing" defeat. "A loss is a loss, I'm not sure 3-0 is entirely fair, but they made three plays that we didn't make."

I’m not sure what qualifies as “crushing” in his mind, but he’s right... Given that the US had just one shot on goal and Czech Republic had five, not to mention far more dangerous plays on the attack, it should have been more like 5–1. The US team had just two corner kicks and not a single offsides call — pretty good indications of how little time they spent in the attacking third of the field.

I hope Donovan can swallow his pride, own his (lack of) contribution to the team’s performance, and come out looking aggressive on Saturday. Otherwise, he’ll be watching elimination play from Southern California.

Nothing better than waiting all winter for your team to start their new season. Some questionable trades get made, but you try to stay optimistic.

And then… the season opens.  Ouch.

The Iraqi men's soccer team is playing Costa Rica today, after serving a big upset to Portugal last week. The current FIFA rankings have Iraq ranked 40th in the world, with Portugal at 12th.

Since the US men didn't qualify for the Olympics, I'm hoping the Iraqi team can make a solid run for a medal. These guys have dealth with torture, imprisonment, infrequent training, having to go to another country for "home" games, and being airlifted by the military out of their country. Given all that, and the uncertainty of things in their country, I'm really hoping these guys can make a run at a medal.

And to the players themselves... if you guys could find a way to abuse the Mexican team, that'd be much appreciated!

... that your team's coach is sure to get fired, they come from nowhere with a big win. The fact is, the team's lack of offensive production should mean they don't get into the playoffs. But under the MLS system this year, 4 out of 5 teams in each conference are in -- so as long as one team in the west sucks slightly more than the Rapids, they're in.

Please, Stan, do something.

Soccer season's over for the kids... We finished 6-1, outscoring opponents 22 to 7. It was a strange season with all the weather cancellations, delays from other teams, etc. It was fun, but I'm also glad to have the summer off. Yard work, lounging around, enjoying the weather... and then we do it again in the fall, with that also being Allie's first season.

On the Rapids front, mediocrity continues to rule the day. Freddy Adu comes to town tomorrow night and they're saying that Mile High will have about 30K because of it. 14 year old phenoms aside, the Rapids need a victory so let's hope Freddy doesn't choose tomorrow night to finally earn some of that salary.

In a 4-2 match against their cross-town rivals, the Westminster Raptors defeated the Westminster Kickers. Defense was still lackluster, but the attack exploded out of the gate to provide a 2-goal buffer.

In other news, the Colorado Rapids played to a 0-0 draw against the New England Revolution. Unfortunately, the Revs couldn't play their usual role of slumpbuster to break the Rapids out of their (typical) slow start to the season.

Two more Raptors games today, a Tivo full of MLS, and a head/chest cold that won't go away.