Laurie

Laurie is using her designation as keeper of the World Cup Blog on Les Bleus as an opportunity to appoint herself the team’s Unofficial American Team Mom. She feels comfortable doing this because as far as she knows the position was previously unfilled. And if it was already filled… Well, there’s no reason she can’t be just as unofficial as anyone else.

She strongly believes that if it weren’t for the language barrier, the rest of the world would adore her beloved Bleus as much as she does. She is tired of seeing guys like Beckham and Cristiano Ronaldo get all the press when she is absolutely certain that there are French players who are equally or more talented, photogenic, and capable of interesting behavior both on- and off-field. And she would like to bring these things to your attention.

She lives in the Seattle area with a delightful husband and kids who enable her addiction (she got a Zidane jersey for a recent birthday), and also a standoffish old cat and a big goofy black lab who can fetch Size 3 soccer balls.

Life is good. Allez Les Bleus!

Postscript: In a somewhat ironic turn of events, Laurie has started up the LA Galaxy blog at the Offside. So yes, this does make her one of those now giving Beckham all the press. But she wants everyone to know that even though she is now learning to love the Galaxy and MLS, no team will ever replace Les Bleus, the team of her heart.

She also writes for TheOffside.com and WorldCupBlog.org, and is looking forward to sharing Euro 2008 with you. You can reach her at laurie[at]theoffside[dot]com.