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Both the boys and girls teams leave Puerto Rico with silver medals. A great showing for the cadet teams.

We're at the airport now waiting to get home.

It's been an amazing summer traveling the world through water polo.

Photo is of the girls after receiving their medals. What an amazing experience for us all.

Until next summer...Thumbs Up!!

Nothing But Proud

We came up short. 6-7 loss but we battled like warriors. Heart all around. Can't say anything but that I am proud to be a part of this team.

Thumbs up for the Women's Cadet National Team!!

Medal round

We played Brazil last night in the semi finals and it was a great game. We went down 3-0 before fighting back to win it 10-8. We did some great things and still have room for improvement. Today we play Canada for gold and I'm looking forward to a shot at redemption. 3:15 eastern time.

The boys beat Colombia in their semi so after starting the tournament with losses to Brazil and Colombia, worrying about finishing top 5, they are now also playing for gold.

Photo: USA and Brazil stop for a picture before heading to the pool for the game.

Here we are playing for gold. As it should be.

Thumbs up.

Came up short.

We played Canada yesterday (Wednesday) and didn't play well. We gave up three goals to start the game and battled back to finish the half down by one. We got away from what we do and that made it tough for us to keep in that game. We still bade the semi finals as the 2 seed and will play Brazil today. You can follow on the @usawpODP twitter.

We stuck around to watch the mens team play Trinidad and Tobago which they really needed to win. It was a close game but the boys pulled it out and go into the semis seeded 3rd.

Photo 1: the girls cheering in the boys

Photo 2: a thumbs up from the girls team.

Hopefully we can pull this one out and get another shot at Canada for gold.

Thumbs up. We have arrived in the semis.

Old San Juan

We had our day off today and we took the girls to Old San Juan for a little culture and to make the most of the experience beyond polo.

Photo 1: the girls just as the tour was about to start. Beautiful views everywhere of old buildings and the water all around.

Photo 2: one of many old buildings in Old San Juan. Pretty cool.

Photo 3: the girls pausing to pose on a visit to the state department.

Photo 4: one of the historic preserved pieces of the city.

It was great to see the historic part of the city. Wasn't able to find the dominoes games but maybe next time.

Thumbs up from Old San Juan.

Visiting team

Tonight we played the host team from Puerto Rico. It was an intense game and the home town crowd was incredible. Drums and instruments. I'm pretty sure I saw a trombone. We fought hard through a close first half. The girls got a great sense of nerves, a big stage, and a team ready to make us work for our win. Eventually we got that (14-4) and the girls got a great experience.

Photo: our girls before the start of the first quarter. A view of the PR crowd.

Rest day tomorrow then Canada Wednesday.

Thumbs up!!

Good start.

We've started the tournament and things are going well. We beat Brazil 9-6 yesterday and that's a big first win for this team. Today we beat Trinidad & Tobago 22-0. The team looks good. Tomorrow we play the home town Puerto Rico team then a day off before finishing the round robin with Canada. Looking forward to the next couple games and looking forward to watching the girls continue to improve.

Only picture I have to share right now: view of the police escort from the bus. This is how we get back and forth to the pool. Traveling in style.

Wish us luck. Thumbs up!!

Oh San Juan

We're now settled into San Juan. Last stop on my list before heading home. The tournament starts today and we play Brazil tonight. Yesterday we trained at the natatorium and in the evening we joined in for the opening ceremonies. It wasn't anything crazy but it was cool for the teams to go out representing the US for the first time.

Photo 1: the natatorium in San Juan. It is a beautiful pool.

Photo 2: the team taking some time before opening ceremonies to pose for a picture

Photo 3: procession during opening ceremonies

Photo 4: oh and here's the view from the balcony of my 17th floor hotel room. Not bad.

We get to work today. Both the boys and girls play Brazil today. Wish us luck. Go USA!

Thumbs up from San Juan!

South Beach

We took the girls to south beach yesterday for dinner and to let them explore. Had Cuban food at a restaurant called Puerto Sagura. A little taste of Miami, and the food was great.

Photo 1: the girls at dinner

Photo 2: storm clouds rolling into south beach

Photo 3: a view of the water. It was bath tub warm. Such a different feel from the pacific.

We leave for San Juan today after practice. Can't wait to get to the tournament.

Thumbs up from South Beach!

Bienvenido a Miami

I'm in Miami and it's been good so far. It's hot and humid but not worse than Shanghai. We're practicing at Ransom Everglades and it has been good. The bugs are out in full force so I stocked up on bug spray.

No pictures really except these two.

Photo 1: Randy Jackson, my dog was in first class in my flight over. Terrible photo both because he decided to scratch his eye when I walked by and because Americas best dance crew was nowhere to be found.

Photo 2: the pool we are training at. Team looks good. We're getting there.

Onward.

Thumbs up Miami.