Becky Sauerbrunn

That's one of the best parts of my job. I love interacting with the community, getting out there and getting to know people and making bonds with the community. ”

It's a rare treat to be able to play in front of friends and family. ”

I think a lot of where I find my confidence is knowing I've prepared as well as I could have. ”

Soccer is always changing and evolving, and I think our national team has had to change with the times. ”

When I started with the national team, it was made very clear I was going to be the backup to Christie Rampone and Rachel Buehler. So for the first few years, it was just me training my heart out and pushing those centerbacks to be the best they could be. ”

With soccer, it's such a dynamic sport. It's important that however you play, you should be training like that. ”

I know that I'm not the fastest or the strongest or the best in the air, so from a very early age, I had to be positionally sound, or I was going to get beat. So you just kind of learn as you grow. ”

I always have oatmeal before training or a match. It's easy on the stomach, offers so many vitamins and minerals, and is slow-burning, so it won't leave me hungry at half-time. ”

You think about the legacy that you leave behind, and I've been very fortunate to be part of a very successful team, but I think the fight for equal pay and respect is something that goes beyond the field. I think it is very important, something that I'm very willing to take on to help the generations that come behind me. ”

It's really indescribable. All the hard work you put in and all the sacrifices. ”