We arrived in San Jose, California 5 pm Saturday June 26 at SJC airport, a week before our game to become used to our new surroundings and get in a few practices before our big day. The weather out there was lovely, warm and sunny during the day and very cool during the evening, some would say that it even reminded them of back home in Ethiopia. During our stay in San Jose we only managed to have three practices due to scheduling conflicts but we are fortunate to have such disciplined young ladies to make it their personal duty to be in their best shape for the game by using the complementary fitness facilities provided by our hotel at the Saint Claire (http://www.sanjose.com/sainte-claire/).

While we were there our team enjoyed what San Jose had to offer from their local eateries to their free public transportation (http://www.vta.org/). Unfortunately we had insufficient funding to provide our team with van rental while we were out there but thankfully we were blessed with other teams and patrons willing to help us reach our destination. So we all want to say THANK YOU to all those who helped us get from one point to another and we one day hope to return the favor.

The Spartan Stadium (http://www.sjsuspartans.com/) was pleasantly a short five minute ride less complex compared to last year’s tournament in Chicago which took 45 minutes to get there in traffic using their highways. The stadium certainly had an impression on everyone who came to see, grand seating, newly installed turf field with a royal blue and yellow spartan logo at the half line. At the stadium it’s hard to decide who has the better view, the one up close watching an action-packed game? Or the one sitting at the top with a full screen view of the field and a captivating view of the majestic, timeworn rustic mountains that encompass the whole city of San Jose? You be the judge.

Outside as well as inside the stadium seating there was plenty of life to be found, several vendors competing side by side against one another providing all visitors with the best ethiopian food, music, clothing, etc. San Jose has to offer. Our team would like to specially thank the food vendors providing discounted prices for all the ESFNA players it was certainly a treat! It was also nice to see the children becoming more of an aspect this year with moon bounces to play on, soccer teams to participate in, and volleyball and table tennis for all to enjoy.

The other type of vendor at the field that was something impressive this year, was the promotion. This year the promotion of any event was highly organized and coordinated. Promoters like Salon Ethiopia publications (http://salonethiopia.com/) were selling tickets to see the film Teza, the popular Ethiopian comedienne Meskerem, and the young and talented up and coming singer Zewdy. We were even impressed to find another vendor at the field made iPhone apps available for download letting all guests know of all the hosted events from evening shows to parties.

Ethiopia Day is always the most eventful day at the stadium and some how manages to turn out the most crowd even though there isn’t a game being played. On Ethiopia Day thousands of people come to the stadium to watch performances from their favorite Ethiopian artists like Teddy Afro and watch dances executed and carried with the utmost pride but Ethiopia Day isn’t about the performers it’s really about the crowd and the people that came together showing off their green, yellow and red for the same cause, their love for Ethiopia. The temperature was in the lower 60s and pretty chilly but if you were in the audience you get a feeling so warm and so joyous of seeing everyone just as excited as you are, just as proud as you are, just as blessed as you are to see such a gathering. We couldn’t stay up for long for the Saint Michael’s girls had a game the next day at 10:30 am.

Game Day, all the girls were awake around 9 o’clock Saturday morning to eat a light breakfast then head out the field but by then we were surprised to hear our opponents had already been there for 30 minutes waiting! We rushed out there (which wasn’t a problem since the field was so close)  had a brisk warm up then took photos and shook hands, we won the coin toss and got the kick off. The game started off promising even though we arrived doubtful when we found out our opponents had only two Ethiopian players on their team and had been together much longer than we have but the Saint Michael’s girls were determined and came with a mind set to play a fair game prepared to take on whatever may come. Our defense remained solid the whole duration of the match, our MVP, Mykela Graham, one of our defensive players who played our sweeper played exceptionally well stopping numerous goals and helping assist several plays she served our team gracefully on the field showing no mercy to any player coming her way. We have a team filled with hustlers and we finished in second place this year against the San Jose girls team. Both teams played wellbut the matured San Jose team took the gold with the final score 5-1, we were blessed with one goal after receiving a penalty kick inside the goal box. It was a humbling match and we hope to see more young ladies from other cities come and play us next year. 

That night we had to look forward to was the closing ceremony. It was nice to see everyone from the field come to the McEnery Convention Center dressed up and looking nice, Ethiopians of all ages came out to dance to some good music and enjoy each other’s company it was the event we all waited for. Teddy Afro began to sing getting the crowd on their feet for rest of the night, giving the Saint Michael’s girls one last celebration before their 6:45 am flight back home.

San Jose was amazing, it even made us sad when we realized it was time to depart the beautiful city. The whole week was something unforgettable bringing us girls closer together with silver medals hanging on our necks, friends at our hands and memories to always carry in our hearts, we gained a family in San Jose something we’ll never have to depart with.

We are forever grateful for those who helped us get there. Thanks again to all tookpart in helping the Saint Michael girls we look forward to doing it again next year!