Ali Krieger

Lifting isn't my favorite thing, so I have to keep it fun and do exercises that I really enjoy. ”

People ask me, 'What were you thinking during that game-winning penalty kick in the 2011 World Cup?' I was actually thinking absolutely nothing. I just walked up there and was so inspired by my teammates who rocked all their PKs; they just killed it. I figured I might as well do the same, or they might have my neck. ”

I surround myself with good people who make me feel great and give me positive energy. ”

Germany is where I had to become a true professional. They play in big games when they are young. We could model some of our soccer system after what they do. ”

I know, firsthand, that soccer brings people together - all it takes is a ball and a few people, and the seeds of friendship are planted. ”

Football helped me build confidence on and off the field and taught me to grow through moments of success and disappointment. ”

It's a privilege and an honor to play for the national team, but I think that the training that I was in at Frankfurt was the highest level right underneath. ”

I'm grateful that I got a good education and to have all the people I have around me. ”

I have fallen a few times, and each time, I have gotten up and grown as a person and looked at things a little differently. ”

I was clipped from behind, and my leg got caught between my opponent's legs. As we fell, my leg snapped. It was a spiral fracture. They had to put in a plate and five screws. It was a devastating moment: one minute I was on cloud nine, and then I was out for the season. ”