Aug. 22, 2004

GLASGOW, SCOTLAND

Junior Michael Dello-Russo, who celebrated his 21st birthday on Sunday:

It's been a great trip, and the best part was the game yesterday. It's totally different being there than watching it on television. At home, we have sports like football and basketball, but it's nothing like soccer here. Everything on the TV, in newspapers and in magazines is all about soccer.

And then the game - the atmosphere was just the best I've ever been in. I could not believe every seat was filled. We got in there a little early and it was empty, and I just thought there was no way it was going to be totally packed, and then it was. And the way everyone supporting the team like it's their life - like, half of their paychecks go to tickets.

It doesn't feel any different to be 21, but I had a good birthday. It was a good win today, it was fun. It gave a lot of people a chance to play, which is good for our team because we have a lot of young people and it's helpful for them. I'm looking forward to the upcoming games because they should be exciting, and then we'll get to see how people do under pressure and how we can do against teams the caliber we'll be seeing this year.