Brandi Chastain

When I was younger it was twice a day with a game on the weekend. Then when I got older, three times a day everyday in college and on the national team.

I was a part of Backyard Soccer, and I hear that I score a lot of goals in it.

I think there are a lot of things that soccer does in the communities that transcend the soccer field.

And I remember how proud I was to put on my training jersey and go out on the field. Making it back to that environment was for me my greatest moment, because somebody had told me I couldn't do it and I never gave up on myself, the game and my teammates.

So I'm still doing my best to stay in shape and hope that opportunity will come back to me.

I think soccer is more respected now than it ever has been. You can see that in the numbers of young kids who are playing and the numbers of people who are coming to watch.

We are shaping young kids to be leaders in their communities and also to be healthier.

I have a 16 year-old son, so I'm now a soccer mom. I stand on the sidelines and I hear the things parents are saying, so I want them to understand what it is their kids are feeling in any sports environment.

And then ultimately what I tell the kids is: coaches can give you information, they can give you guidelines, and they can put you in a position. But the only person who can truly make you better is you.

To be honest with you, I never looked at soccer as a sacrifice.

I think I'd like to be able to heal people's pain, whether it is hunger, loneliness or whatever.

You'll be dedicated and that's what you should want to be in anything in life - whether it's sports or academics or your relationship. It all stems from finding that fun, that thrill, that excitement.