Hi all, So I'm down here in the Bahamas on a top secret mission. Well I guess it's not that top secret - we're filming a new sports competition show for ABC and I'm doing pretty well. It's a lot of fun. I'm not supposed to give any details. All the competitors are really, really super nice. We're actually all having a really good time.

As a soccer player competing against football stars and Olympians, there are some aspects of every competition that are familiar to all of us because they fall in some type of athletic area. But I can't really give it away. Even though I'm back in more of "soccer shape," in a way I feel more prepared but in a way, no I don't feel like you can prepare for a competition like this. We have to do some quirky things and you never know what's going to happen.

So this could last for a few weeks - depending on if we make it into the finals. But I'm missing my FC Gold Pride team right now and look forward to getting back with them. And I'll tell you, I'm enjoying as much as any body could possibly enjoy being back out on the field. And maybe that's just because I've been around once with the other league. Now having it again has been awesome. I really, really enjoy all my teammates and our coaching staff. I think we're going to eventually get to where we want and play the kind of soccer that's going to excite everybody. You know, from the players to the fans. It's definitely a process.

Bringing 22 new people together and trying to get a system and a philosophy and style down doesn't happen overnight. I think we're making our way towards our goal of being a team that's really exciting to watch - being efficient and good and getting results.

Well, break time is over. Gotta get back out there and give it a go. Check in again soon,
-Brandi

Two games in and things are goinggreat! The update is that we've got a win and a tie in our first two games for the FC Gold Pride and we're getting better as a team with every practice and every game. Personally I feel great, the legs are still getting there but you have to remember it's been over 5 years since I last played professional soccer!

I think what I'm most excited about this time around is that Jaden gets to see me play. It was one of those things I was really most looking forward to because he's old enough now that he'll remember this and he understands what's happening. Probably a year ago, when he was a year and a half, coming on two, and he would see me practicing or working out with a club team, he didn't want me to play. He wanted me to hold him. Like, "Why you leaving me over here?"

Now I think he understands. Because now when he sees soccer he says, "You play soccer, Mommy." I'm like, "Yes I do." So he's kind of getting it more now, which I love. I think sitting with his dad and being and hanging out with the friends and neighbors, he'll be able to watch and understand it, which is fun for me.

I think that was always part of the equation for me. Getting a chance to have Jaden come to the stadium and watch me play is really exciting for me. It's very cool. Back home now as we get ready for the league-leading LA Sol.

Oh I've also got a new website I'm apart of called Brandi's World - definitely check it out as I'll be doing some cool things on there as well. Thanks again for everyone's support. Hope you can all get to a game this year or watch us play on television!

Opening Day at Buck Shaw Stadium and I could not be prouder of my team, the effort we showed and the support from the fans on hand to help is get it started right.

I'd be lying if I said I wasn't anxious to get going, not really nervous, but certainly felt the butterflies. I gave a talk to the team before the game, as the oldest player, I told them about the importance of this game and how we're going to make a huge impact on the community both locally and across the country.

And yeah, we showed it by coming back to win it. Tiff's goal was great and we celebrated like it was 10 years ago. I'm grateful that our first game was against Kristine Lilly's Boston team - Lil has been so important to our sport forever and after the birth of her little girl, this was both our comeback games.

I didn't get the start, but that was expected. But I was asked afterwards if I heard the crowd cheering as I came into the game and to be honest, I didn't hear anything except the beating of my heart, the excitement was overflowing. I was like a rookie out there, just so excited.

The game itself was really competitive and just shows how bright the future of our sport is. But coming back after giving up a late goal, I could see it in our eyes. Every player to a woman, we all had that attitude kind of saying we have to get it together and we did.

Great game, great win, great fun... and hopefully a great season ahead.

And so it begins. Getting ready for Sunday's big opening game against Boston. I am so excited that it's finally here. 3pm local time here, playing in a stadium I know quite well.

Both as a team and individually, this is the time to be setting goals for the season and figuring out how to reach them. Setting goals is one of the things that I kind of preach. I share that with players and people, whether it's at a corporate speaking engagement or going out to do a clinic for under 9-year-olds. Having both medium and long-term goals are important.

For me, my long-term goal is to be healthy at the end of the season. So, then I can come back and continue. My short-term goal is to keep getting a little bit stronger, which I've really been working hard at. I've been working with a trainer on a regular basis even though I've never done one-on-one work ever before. I'm doing that because I want to be stronger have more balance and be aware of how to do those things.

I think before when I was younger, it was more about just going out there and playing, thinking that these things would take care of themselves. But now I think it's been really nice to focus on how to get into the best shape possible. So these are my two goals.

I think my final goal is to work my way into playing on a regular basis and being in the starting lineup. That goal will change and be flexible as the season progresses. I've started in some of the exhibition games so I think it's a realistic idea. Goals have to be realistic. I can't be like, "Ok I'm going to be starting the first game." Even though in my mind I'd like to, I need to be able to assess the situation before I make that goal.

All I know is that I cannot wait to get out there on Sunday, meet our fans and put on a great show. It's been a long time coming since we've had an opportunity like this and we're going to make the most of it. Thanks to everyone for all of your good wishes and be sure to support the WPS at games around the country and watching on television. Go PRIDE!