March 11, 2010
A TOUCHING MOMENT
U.S. team cries along with Haiti goalkeeper

ALAJUELA, Costa Rica – The U.S. Under-17 Women’s National Team opened the CONCACAF U-17 Women’s Championships with a 9-0 victory against Haiti as forward Lindsey Horan led the team with four goals and two assists.

While the United States scored several artistic goals, the most amazing moment from the game came after the final whistle as Haitian goalkeeper Alexandra Coby slumped to the turf in tears.

Her coach helped her to her feet, and while still sobbing, she saw U.S. keeper Bryane Heaberlin walking toward her. Coby embraced Heaberlin in a tight hug and held on. What followed was a rare sight in sports and an emotional and memorable moment for the young Americans players.

All the U.S. players surrounded Coby and Heaberlin in a huge group hug that lasted at least 90 seconds. When it broke up, the entire U.S. team left the field in tears.

“I saw her crying and that was pretty hard for me to see,” Heaberlin said. “She’s a keeper and we have that bond. I knew that she had probably lost people close to her, and when she goes home she might not have anywhere to go. I gave her a big hug and told her she did great. She came to compete in this tournament despite all that she’s been through and I have tremendous respect for her.”

“It just put everything into perspective,” said U.S. defender Olivia Brannon, who played the 90 minutes at right back. “It makes you realize what is truly important, your family, having a roof over your head, and having food on the table. We take all those things for granted. I had my mom in the stands cheering for me tonight. Some of these girls might never have that again.”

Haiti’s participation in the tournament despite the tragic earthquake has been an inspiration to all the teams in the competition. While the Haitians showed tremendous fight, the U.S. players were just too strong and fast for the their Caribbean counterparts.