I grew up playing and watching soccer. At my prime obsession with the sport, I knew every name on the Women's National Team.
When I was about 12, I even talked to Mia Hamm.
Although my competitive soccer days are over, I still keep up with the sport and love to watch the games.
As I sat down to watch the championship game on Sunday, I remembered the influence that the women from the past U.S. teams had on my life.
After a long and agonizing penalty shoot out, the match was finally over.
The outcome of the game was disappointing. Japan walked away with the victory and left the Americans heart broken.
But it was the 130 minutes on that field in Germany that made me proud of women's soccer.
Yes, the U.S. dominated most of the match.
But the main reason I'm proud has nothing to do with the skill of the players; rather, the way the girls carried themselves. Both sides played a fair game.
There were no fights and not any unnecessary drama that is usually seen to sway the refs.
I think that the professional male soccer players should take a few notes.
While the men's World Cup in South Africa last year consisted of countless faked injuries and all-out arguments, the women this year played with class and composure.
After the game, the U.S. players were perfect examples of what it is like to be a good sport.
The women wiped away the tears and congratulated the Japanese on a well-fought win.
Frankly, the guys need to match the women's honorable demeanor and practice some sportsmanship.
Sure, men can be more aggressive. They typically hit harder and run faster.
However, these attributes are not causes for bad behavior.
Most of the time, girls are just as competitive as their male counterparts.
No one wants to be the loser, but that doesn't mean that teams should play dirty to come out with a win.
Since male soccer players are often worshiped around the world by adoring fans, the game has suffered.
The male soccer players are presented with fame and fortune and are no longer solely playing a game for the love of it.
They are arrogant and temperamental athletes, who are a playing for the money and the glory.
Is that not a disgrace to the game?
Of course, there are male players who are humble and unworthy of this harsh criticism, but I think it is also important to recognize this horrible trend in men's soccer.
I don't think that most people enjoy watching soccer games that have to stop every five minutes because of players' fake injuries.
These male athletes need to stop all of the whining and acting, stop the arguments, stop the fake dives and stop the drama because these selfish acts only take away from the enjoyment of the game.
The boys need to grow up and play the beautiful game the way that it is meant to be played.
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