"Impossible is Nothing"

On October 4, I was able to fulfill a lifelong dream of seeing, arguably, the greatest soccer player in the world. Excuse me, futbol player. Inarguably, he is the sexiest man on the planet.

Anyway, on that autumn Saturday, I watched as David Beckham and the LA Galaxy took on the Columbus Crew in Columbus, Ohio. I arrived in the city before lunchtime and the gates wouldn't open until 5:30pm, but I couldn't wait. My seat was ten rows behind the Crew bench. Sporting a white Galaxy shirty featuring Beckham's name and #23 on the back, I made my way into hostile territory. I would have stood out like a sore thumb on "Blackout the Galaxy" night if it weren't for the many others who showed up to see the best product from across the pond since...ever.

It was great to see the turnout. A sold out game. But hardcore Crew supporters were happy to see Becks in town for a different reason. They wanted to embarrass the Galaxy captain and his mates. Unfortunately, their wish would come true. After going up one goal, the Crew dominated, took control, and took 3 points to boost theur best-in-the-MLS standing. David received a yellow card, and with it accumulated a red card equivalent, causing him to miss a future game. The Galaxy went home with a loss and bigger hurdles to overcome in their fight for a playoff spot.

But even though Beckham and the boys lost, it was the best night of my life. I was there, in person, seeing the man I grew up following since his start at Old Trafford on the Manchester United squad. I remember watching the 2006 World Cup. I always cheer for Croatia or Polan, since those are my ethnicities, as well as Germany since I have relatives there and they were, afterall, the host country. (Now before you go all anti-American on me, I did watch the U.S. team. I root for them, but I am proud of my family and my heritage. It's a big part of me. Plus, it's kind of nice to see someone other than the U.S. dominate something in the world. Shows us we are not invincible in every way. And I will not apologize for my world-view).

But then there was that England team. You catch David playing and immediately you're hooked. In the days of his ever-changing hairstyles, Beckham showed up at these games wutg a simple cut, slightly spiky, boyishly good-looking. I taped each England match in case I had to leave the TV and missed a famous free kick or corner kick from the England captain. He scores, smiles, cheers wildly, melts my heart, and causes massive flooding from the poorly constructed levees I call my tear ducts. The kind of crying that occurs when you are so damn proud and genuinely happy for someone, and you are so glad to have been a part of the moment, even just as a spectactor.

The heat during the World Cup matches was intense. At one point, Beckham got sick on the field. I must say, vomiting never looked so good...

The boys in red would end up being eliminated from contention, and Beckham would later resign as England's captain. Again causing more tears. Hey, when he cries, you seriously can't help but follow suit. But man, every time you see this guy play, you know there is someone out there with the skills and passion to make things happen.

There was a time when Beckham was not well liked, after receiving a red card in a past game. He and his family received death threats. Reporters and sportswriters everywhere, as well as the general public, criticized him continuously. He finally bounced back with a goal against Greece to lift the England team. Suddenly everyone liked him again. But I never stopped liking him.

With so many sports figures out there holding out playing until they get the amount of money they want or talking about how awesome they are before they've even made some spectacular play, it's refreshing to see a guy genuinely excited to get on the pitch every day just to play the game. I mean yes, he gets paid a ton. But you can tell he would play regardless. He is always working hard to perfect a corner kick or free kick. And in the meantime, he developed that David Beckham Academy for youth. This guys is passionate about what he does, and he overcame critics and obstacles. I can't help but love the guy.

So it was truly an honor to see him play. A legend in the world's most popular sport. Right there, a few feet in front of me. Taking in the same sights. Breathing that same cold, bitter air. Occupying space in the same stadium, on the same night. I now understand why the world loves the sport so much. I hope the U.S. takes notice.

Don't get me wrong. There is nothing wrong with U.S. sports like baseball, basketball, and american football. But I really think we are missing out by not watching more soccer. The pitch was smaller than it looks on TV. But the feelings I got from being there are undescribable. The pictures I have are great, but they don't do justice. If I wasn't shaking so much from the cold and turned the camera dial to sport mode, the pictures would be even better. But even moreso, the memories I take away are something I will always cherish.

I'll never forget when I was walking back to my seat following half-time (and my failed attempt at purchasing a hot chocolate). Beckham was lining up to start the second half closest to my side, and I just stopped on the stairs. He looked in my direction. I'll never know if he was looking directly at me, or just around me. (But since I had on a white LA Galaxy #23 shirt in a sea of black, plus a Victoria Beckham haircut, I like to think it was me he was looking at). Once again, my camera failed me and snapped the pictures as he turned his head away...three times. But once again, I'll always have the memories.

Sandy, the older lady sitting next to me, surprised me with a Columbus Crew monkey and scarf. Wrong team, but she was the nicest, most supportive person and I thank her muchly for it. When I first saw Sandy coming up the stairs to her seat I thought "great. here comes this lady with too much makeup, doused in perfume, and she's sitting next to me." Yeah, let me say...first impressions are so overrated. Sandy is freaking awesome.

I was a 22 year old female, alone and 200 miles from home, in the house of the enemy. But I fulfilled a dream. No one can take that from me. Beckham continues to inspire me the way he has for over a decade. I never thought I would be able to see this legend in person. But to quote an Adidas tagline, of which Beckham was a commercial feature..."Impossible is Nothing"