1 00:00:00,560 --> 00:00:02,640 Speaker 1: Welcome to Good Game with Sarah Spain, where we've been 2 00:00:02,759 --> 00:00:06,120 Speaker 1: so busy we're way behind do Halloween. I got no 3 00:00:06,240 --> 00:00:09,760 Speaker 1: costume picked out, I've got no party rspps. All I 4 00:00:09,760 --> 00:00:11,840 Speaker 1: got is some light up skeleton arms that will soon 5 00:00:11,880 --> 00:00:15,360 Speaker 1: be poking out of my front fence. It's something gotta 6 00:00:15,400 --> 00:00:18,759 Speaker 1: go big for spooky season, y'all. It's Wednesday, October first, 7 00:00:18,760 --> 00:00:20,560 Speaker 1: and on today show, we'll be skipping the need to 8 00:00:20,600 --> 00:00:23,200 Speaker 1: know and jumping straight into my conversation with Angel City 9 00:00:23,280 --> 00:00:26,319 Speaker 1: FC defender and captain Ali Riley, who has announced that 10 00:00:26,320 --> 00:00:29,520 Speaker 1: she's retiring from soccer. We talked about the emotions surrounding 11 00:00:29,520 --> 00:00:32,720 Speaker 1: the decision, finding the balance between Ali the player and 12 00:00:32,800 --> 00:00:36,280 Speaker 1: Ali the person, and the injury struggles and personal challenges 13 00:00:36,320 --> 00:00:38,640 Speaker 1: she's battled over the last few years, like the loss 14 00:00:38,640 --> 00:00:41,440 Speaker 1: of her family home to the Palisades fire. What she 15 00:00:41,600 --> 00:00:44,559 Speaker 1: says about taking care of herself, fighting to return to 16 00:00:44,560 --> 00:00:46,919 Speaker 1: the field, and finding the peace she needed to move 17 00:00:46,960 --> 00:00:49,159 Speaker 1: into the next phase of her life might just make 18 00:00:49,200 --> 00:00:52,520 Speaker 1: you tear up. It certainly made me emotional. That conversation's 19 00:00:52,560 --> 00:01:06,039 Speaker 1: coming up right after this, joining us now for a 20 00:01:06,080 --> 00:01:08,200 Speaker 1: second time here on the show. She's a defender and 21 00:01:08,280 --> 00:01:11,319 Speaker 1: captain for Angel CITYFC and captain of the Football Ferns, 22 00:01:11,360 --> 00:01:14,280 Speaker 1: the New Zealand national soccer team. Former Stanford Cardinal has 23 00:01:14,280 --> 00:01:17,039 Speaker 1: played for professional clubs in the US, Swedeen, England and Germany. 24 00:01:17,080 --> 00:01:19,520 Speaker 1: Has played in five World Cups and captain international team 25 00:01:19,560 --> 00:01:22,360 Speaker 1: a record fifty times. She's a co host of the 26 00:01:22,360 --> 00:01:25,320 Speaker 1: BFFR podcast, the author of a plant based cookbook called 27 00:01:25,440 --> 00:01:29,240 Speaker 1: Girls Gone Veg, a newlywed, and has just announced that 28 00:01:29,280 --> 00:01:32,160 Speaker 1: she's retiring at the end of this season. She's coming 29 00:01:32,240 --> 00:01:34,720 Speaker 1: to us live via her new phone, Miss New Booty. 30 00:01:35,040 --> 00:01:36,160 Speaker 2: It's Alan Riley. 31 00:01:36,360 --> 00:01:41,959 Speaker 3: Hi, Ali, Hello, Hello, thank you for having me on again, 32 00:01:42,160 --> 00:01:45,240 Speaker 3: and what a wonderful, thorough introduction. 33 00:01:46,240 --> 00:01:47,680 Speaker 2: We are very happy to have you back. 34 00:01:47,760 --> 00:01:50,120 Speaker 1: We are sad to talk about the end of your 35 00:01:50,120 --> 00:01:53,680 Speaker 1: soccer career, but what a career. I just want to 36 00:01:53,720 --> 00:01:56,160 Speaker 1: start with emotions. What are the emotions you're feeling this 37 00:01:56,200 --> 00:01:58,960 Speaker 1: week as you're announcing and going public with your retirement. 38 00:02:00,280 --> 00:02:03,760 Speaker 3: So many it has been a roller coaster. I think 39 00:02:03,960 --> 00:02:08,440 Speaker 3: I am very excited. I'm excited for what comes next. 40 00:02:08,480 --> 00:02:12,520 Speaker 3: I'm excited for everyone to know this is happening finally, 41 00:02:12,840 --> 00:02:16,160 Speaker 3: and I'm really happy that I'm able to do this. 42 00:02:16,560 --> 00:02:17,840 Speaker 2: On my own terms. 43 00:02:17,960 --> 00:02:22,760 Speaker 3: I'm not going to say it's exactly how an athlete 44 00:02:22,800 --> 00:02:26,120 Speaker 3: would imagine it in an ideal world. 45 00:02:26,639 --> 00:02:31,079 Speaker 2: But to be able to make this decision. 46 00:02:30,639 --> 00:02:36,160 Speaker 3: While playing soccer with Angel City is really really special. 47 00:02:36,200 --> 00:02:38,600 Speaker 3: And I didn't know if I would be able to 48 00:02:38,919 --> 00:02:43,840 Speaker 3: have this. And I'm sad only because I wish I 49 00:02:43,880 --> 00:02:45,400 Speaker 3: had been able to play more. 50 00:02:45,240 --> 00:02:47,840 Speaker 2: Games for my national team and for Angel City. 51 00:02:48,400 --> 00:02:51,880 Speaker 3: But to be back here and feeling healthy and feeling 52 00:02:51,880 --> 00:02:55,960 Speaker 3: so much pride and joy, it is the right time and. 53 00:02:56,720 --> 00:03:01,480 Speaker 2: Four more games left, maybe more, maybe more, but it's time. 54 00:03:01,600 --> 00:03:04,440 Speaker 2: It's time to rest, and I am looking forward to that. 55 00:03:05,280 --> 00:03:08,800 Speaker 1: Four more games guaranteed for sure. Yes, you mentioned that 56 00:03:08,840 --> 00:03:11,160 Speaker 1: you haven't been able to play as many games. Can 57 00:03:11,200 --> 00:03:14,040 Speaker 1: you talk a bit for those who aren't super familiar 58 00:03:14,080 --> 00:03:16,680 Speaker 1: about the injuries that you've been dealing with, how they've 59 00:03:16,680 --> 00:03:19,640 Speaker 1: impacted your time with the New Zealand national team with 60 00:03:19,760 --> 00:03:22,560 Speaker 1: Angel City over the last few years. Why you're miss 61 00:03:22,600 --> 00:03:24,919 Speaker 1: new Booty. That's definitely one of the injuries that you're 62 00:03:24,919 --> 00:03:25,400 Speaker 1: working on. 63 00:03:27,480 --> 00:03:28,160 Speaker 2: I can try. 64 00:03:28,240 --> 00:03:33,519 Speaker 3: I can try, so very long, complicated, mysterious story short, 65 00:03:33,680 --> 00:03:36,000 Speaker 3: I have a nerve compression injury. 66 00:03:36,360 --> 00:03:40,960 Speaker 2: So because of how I played and how long I played, 67 00:03:41,360 --> 00:03:41,840 Speaker 2: and the. 68 00:03:41,760 --> 00:03:46,240 Speaker 3: Way my body moves, and yeah, just kind of maybe genetics. 69 00:03:46,880 --> 00:03:50,240 Speaker 3: Eventually this all caught up to me and I where 70 00:03:50,280 --> 00:03:54,400 Speaker 3: my nerve runs through certain muscles in my glute slash hips. 71 00:03:55,120 --> 00:03:56,480 Speaker 2: That's why I call it my booty. 72 00:03:57,920 --> 00:04:00,880 Speaker 3: There's scar tissue and just build up from past injuries, 73 00:04:00,920 --> 00:04:07,880 Speaker 3: past strains, some issues because I was getting cortizone injections 74 00:04:07,920 --> 00:04:10,960 Speaker 3: repeatedly for what I was feeling, and so there's been 75 00:04:11,000 --> 00:04:14,480 Speaker 3: a deterioration in that part of my body. And eventually 76 00:04:14,600 --> 00:04:17,360 Speaker 3: that space just started to collapse on. 77 00:04:17,440 --> 00:04:20,160 Speaker 2: My nerve, my siatic nerve on my left side. 78 00:04:20,400 --> 00:04:25,320 Speaker 3: And so walking, sleeping, let alone running trying to kick 79 00:04:25,360 --> 00:04:29,760 Speaker 3: a ball would send lightning, just strikes down my leg, 80 00:04:29,839 --> 00:04:30,200 Speaker 3: down my. 81 00:04:30,160 --> 00:04:34,920 Speaker 2: Hamstring, and I dealt with that for yeah. 82 00:04:34,960 --> 00:04:39,520 Speaker 3: Basically since November twenty twenty three, continued to try to 83 00:04:39,760 --> 00:04:42,960 Speaker 3: find solutions, but short term solutions which ended up not 84 00:04:43,000 --> 00:04:46,520 Speaker 3: serving me at all all, culminating in trying to make 85 00:04:46,600 --> 00:04:49,719 Speaker 3: the twenty twenty four Olympic Games with New Zealand, and 86 00:04:50,080 --> 00:04:55,120 Speaker 3: just days before the opening game, the compression got worse 87 00:04:55,920 --> 00:05:00,040 Speaker 3: and I was withdrawn from the team and basically we 88 00:05:00,200 --> 00:05:03,280 Speaker 3: started rehabbing. Didn't see progress at all for seven months, 89 00:05:04,040 --> 00:05:07,080 Speaker 3: and I have my kind of like coulda water should up. 90 00:05:07,600 --> 00:05:13,520 Speaker 3: Maybe this wasn't handled the best way for different reasons, 91 00:05:13,600 --> 00:05:17,279 Speaker 3: but there is really no point in looking back, and 92 00:05:17,360 --> 00:05:22,719 Speaker 3: so eventually I just got the right support medically and 93 00:05:23,040 --> 00:05:27,120 Speaker 3: we started to see progress in February and I was 94 00:05:27,160 --> 00:05:31,360 Speaker 3: able to very very slowly claw my way back. 95 00:05:32,000 --> 00:05:34,960 Speaker 2: There were times when I was very close to giving up. 96 00:05:36,560 --> 00:05:38,440 Speaker 2: I was really depressed for. 97 00:05:38,400 --> 00:05:41,599 Speaker 3: A period of time, and then when we really started 98 00:05:41,600 --> 00:05:44,800 Speaker 3: to see some progress and I didn't have to be 99 00:05:44,880 --> 00:05:47,240 Speaker 3: alone in the gym every day, I could start getting 100 00:05:47,279 --> 00:05:50,400 Speaker 3: on the field, touching a ball again, and then eventually 101 00:05:50,520 --> 00:05:53,480 Speaker 3: training with the team again, and then now making the roster, 102 00:05:53,640 --> 00:05:57,120 Speaker 3: traveling with the team, warming up for games. I haven't 103 00:05:57,120 --> 00:05:59,440 Speaker 3: gotten into a game yet, but it's possible. 104 00:06:00,160 --> 00:06:03,719 Speaker 2: So all of that just it's. 105 00:06:03,480 --> 00:06:06,080 Speaker 3: Surreal to think about the journey I've been on and 106 00:06:06,320 --> 00:06:09,760 Speaker 3: that we had no idea that we would get here. 107 00:06:09,920 --> 00:06:13,120 Speaker 3: There was no guarantees. It feels like kind of yeah, 108 00:06:13,160 --> 00:06:16,440 Speaker 3: achieving the impossible. But I do want to share later 109 00:06:16,520 --> 00:06:18,440 Speaker 3: down the line everything kind of went through in case 110 00:06:18,440 --> 00:06:21,040 Speaker 3: someone does start feeling some of these symptoms. The deems 111 00:06:21,040 --> 00:06:23,240 Speaker 3: and don'ts, so no one has to get to the 112 00:06:23,240 --> 00:06:23,680 Speaker 3: point that. 113 00:06:23,640 --> 00:06:24,080 Speaker 2: I got to. 114 00:06:25,040 --> 00:06:28,320 Speaker 1: Yeah, so I hadic pain is horrible. I made up 115 00:06:28,320 --> 00:06:30,880 Speaker 1: a body part called my butt string because I couldn't 116 00:06:30,880 --> 00:06:33,000 Speaker 1: explain what was wrong. 117 00:06:33,080 --> 00:06:34,080 Speaker 2: And I was like, it's like. 118 00:06:34,000 --> 00:06:35,800 Speaker 1: The bottom of my butt but the top of my 119 00:06:35,920 --> 00:06:38,240 Speaker 1: leg and I can't figure out. But it's like just 120 00:06:38,440 --> 00:06:42,080 Speaker 1: constantly hurting, and it hurts all the time. And it 121 00:06:42,120 --> 00:06:43,919 Speaker 1: was because I have disk issues, so it was a 122 00:06:43,960 --> 00:06:46,760 Speaker 1: nerve deflection as a result of my back not being 123 00:06:46,760 --> 00:06:48,560 Speaker 1: able to take the pain anymore. It started to send 124 00:06:48,600 --> 00:06:50,719 Speaker 1: it to my quote unquote butt string that I invented, 125 00:06:51,000 --> 00:06:52,839 Speaker 1: but I have it at such a minor level because 126 00:06:52,880 --> 00:06:54,479 Speaker 1: I'm just trying to be in the world and you 127 00:06:54,520 --> 00:06:57,200 Speaker 1: were trying to be a professional, high level athlete with it, 128 00:06:57,240 --> 00:06:58,720 Speaker 1: which is unbearable. 129 00:06:59,120 --> 00:07:00,240 Speaker 2: You said we you. 130 00:07:00,240 --> 00:07:01,880 Speaker 1: Said we didn't know we would be back here. Who 131 00:07:01,880 --> 00:07:03,640 Speaker 1: are you talking about in the Royal. 132 00:07:03,400 --> 00:07:05,120 Speaker 2: We Oh, my gosh. 133 00:07:05,279 --> 00:07:07,839 Speaker 3: I you know, my parents and Lucas have been a 134 00:07:07,839 --> 00:07:11,120 Speaker 3: big part of this, and also the physios and the 135 00:07:11,200 --> 00:07:13,880 Speaker 3: doctors who have worked with me. And I have to 136 00:07:13,880 --> 00:07:17,160 Speaker 3: give a shout out to Sarah Neil. She has now 137 00:07:17,200 --> 00:07:22,520 Speaker 3: since left Angel City. But she saw me through basically 138 00:07:22,560 --> 00:07:25,400 Speaker 3: getting onto the field and getting off season ending injury list. 139 00:07:25,680 --> 00:07:30,080 Speaker 3: And I don't know if she hadn't advocated and pushed 140 00:07:30,120 --> 00:07:32,000 Speaker 3: for me the way she did, if she hadn't spent 141 00:07:32,120 --> 00:07:35,560 Speaker 3: the hours we weren't together at the facility. 142 00:07:35,680 --> 00:07:38,200 Speaker 2: Researching, asking questions, calling doctors. 143 00:07:38,400 --> 00:07:42,680 Speaker 3: She flew with me on Valentine's Day this year to 144 00:07:42,760 --> 00:07:45,160 Speaker 3: Salt Lake City to see a new doctor where I 145 00:07:45,200 --> 00:07:49,200 Speaker 3: got different injections, no more toxins, no more steroids. And 146 00:07:49,360 --> 00:07:53,680 Speaker 3: we spent Gallantine's Day and night in Salt Lake City. 147 00:07:53,920 --> 00:07:55,680 Speaker 2: We had our own rooms, we didn't really have we 148 00:07:55,680 --> 00:07:56,800 Speaker 2: didn't have to bunk up here. 149 00:07:57,240 --> 00:08:01,160 Speaker 3: But that kind of commitment, that is not a guarantee 150 00:08:01,320 --> 00:08:04,080 Speaker 3: and that's not something that I take for granted. So 151 00:08:04,560 --> 00:08:07,480 Speaker 3: I really owe her a lot for her dedication. And 152 00:08:07,920 --> 00:08:09,360 Speaker 3: you know, when I got back, I was like, it's 153 00:08:09,400 --> 00:08:12,720 Speaker 3: a miracle. It's not a miracle. I worked my literally 154 00:08:12,760 --> 00:08:16,480 Speaker 3: my ass off, and worked hard for me so that 155 00:08:16,560 --> 00:08:17,760 Speaker 3: I could have this moment. 156 00:08:17,800 --> 00:08:20,480 Speaker 2: And they knew, they knew that it might not. 157 00:08:20,440 --> 00:08:22,640 Speaker 3: Be something I could sustain for a long time, even 158 00:08:22,680 --> 00:08:25,080 Speaker 3: if I did come back, And so their commitment to me, 159 00:08:25,200 --> 00:08:28,240 Speaker 3: knowing that when I came back, it might be to 160 00:08:28,280 --> 00:08:32,240 Speaker 3: say goodbye. It's something I will I will never never 161 00:08:32,320 --> 00:08:35,160 Speaker 3: forget that type of support. 162 00:08:35,840 --> 00:08:39,120 Speaker 1: Well, you posted about returning to the field in August 163 00:08:39,200 --> 00:08:42,800 Speaker 1: after over a year sideline. You said, quote in my 164 00:08:42,920 --> 00:08:45,920 Speaker 1: Phoenix era, rising from the ashes. So what did it 165 00:08:46,000 --> 00:08:50,040 Speaker 1: mean to you literally from that moment. Yeah, yeah, we'll 166 00:08:50,080 --> 00:08:53,920 Speaker 1: get to that. But to just get to wear your 167 00:08:54,000 --> 00:08:56,320 Speaker 1: kitten boots, just to be on the field with teammates, 168 00:08:56,360 --> 00:08:58,719 Speaker 1: even if there's no guarantee of a game. Why did 169 00:08:58,760 --> 00:09:00,360 Speaker 1: it mean so much too? And why did it so 170 00:09:00,480 --> 00:09:02,760 Speaker 1: much to you to work so hard versus saying this 171 00:09:02,840 --> 00:09:04,679 Speaker 1: feels a little insurmountable. 172 00:09:05,040 --> 00:09:06,120 Speaker 2: I guess it's time to go. 173 00:09:08,280 --> 00:09:13,120 Speaker 3: I love this game, I love this club, and of 174 00:09:13,200 --> 00:09:17,040 Speaker 3: course I have been so lucky to have still felt 175 00:09:17,040 --> 00:09:19,640 Speaker 3: like I am part of something and that I'm valued 176 00:09:20,040 --> 00:09:23,120 Speaker 3: the club, the staff, my teammates have really really made 177 00:09:23,120 --> 00:09:27,160 Speaker 3: sure of that, the fans, going down and greeting the 178 00:09:27,160 --> 00:09:30,040 Speaker 3: fans after a game, you know, in my civilian ware 179 00:09:31,160 --> 00:09:33,760 Speaker 3: was still very special. 180 00:09:33,559 --> 00:09:35,520 Speaker 2: Something that means a lot to me. 181 00:09:36,400 --> 00:09:42,000 Speaker 3: But to where the kit, this club is my heart. 182 00:09:42,080 --> 00:09:45,839 Speaker 3: It is me and I think, especially not knowing I 183 00:09:45,880 --> 00:09:48,439 Speaker 3: would ever be able to do that again, to stand 184 00:09:48,559 --> 00:09:51,160 Speaker 3: shoulder to shoulder with my teammates in a huddle before 185 00:09:51,200 --> 00:09:55,160 Speaker 3: a game. It's a different feeling than watching the game 186 00:09:55,200 --> 00:09:57,280 Speaker 3: from high up in the stadium. 187 00:09:58,240 --> 00:10:01,400 Speaker 2: And I I knew I. 188 00:10:01,440 --> 00:10:03,840 Speaker 3: Couldn't give up, and so I think that was also 189 00:10:04,040 --> 00:10:07,720 Speaker 3: just a symbol of I never gave up and I 190 00:10:07,760 --> 00:10:10,560 Speaker 3: got here, and after that it's out of my control. 191 00:10:10,640 --> 00:10:12,800 Speaker 3: I did everything in my control to come back, and 192 00:10:13,320 --> 00:10:16,280 Speaker 3: if it hadn't worked, then that's that. 193 00:10:16,440 --> 00:10:16,679 Speaker 2: You know. 194 00:10:16,880 --> 00:10:20,560 Speaker 3: But I committed to doing everything in my control and 195 00:10:20,800 --> 00:10:23,520 Speaker 3: it's still how I'm living now. I show up every 196 00:10:23,640 --> 00:10:28,280 Speaker 3: day with the best attitude to support my teammates, to compete, 197 00:10:28,360 --> 00:10:33,800 Speaker 3: to play, to maintain my health so that I am available. 198 00:10:33,440 --> 00:10:35,319 Speaker 2: For selection every week. That is my goal. 199 00:10:35,400 --> 00:10:38,760 Speaker 3: And I think when you have an injury, or it's 200 00:10:38,800 --> 00:10:40,440 Speaker 3: not even about injury, if you're at a club and 201 00:10:40,480 --> 00:10:42,439 Speaker 3: you don't play a lot, you don't start like, what 202 00:10:43,160 --> 00:10:44,400 Speaker 3: is your mindset? 203 00:10:44,640 --> 00:10:46,199 Speaker 2: And all you can do is be. 204 00:10:46,160 --> 00:10:48,520 Speaker 3: Your best every day and then it's up to someone 205 00:10:48,520 --> 00:10:50,120 Speaker 3: else if you get on the field or not. So 206 00:10:50,360 --> 00:10:52,959 Speaker 3: I just felt like a player again, that's everybody's role, 207 00:10:53,080 --> 00:10:54,680 Speaker 3: rights that's all you can do. 208 00:10:54,760 --> 00:10:58,079 Speaker 2: And yeah, it took some reframing. Obviously, when I got injured. 209 00:10:57,720 --> 00:11:01,720 Speaker 3: I was headed to captain and am and playing every 210 00:11:01,800 --> 00:11:05,040 Speaker 3: game for Angel City, and that has changed dramatically, and 211 00:11:05,480 --> 00:11:07,520 Speaker 3: a lot of athletes go through that, not just at 212 00:11:07,520 --> 00:11:09,800 Speaker 3: the end of their careers, not just because of an injury. 213 00:11:10,320 --> 00:11:14,120 Speaker 3: And I have always told my teammates and truly believed it, 214 00:11:14,120 --> 00:11:16,000 Speaker 3: it doesn't matter how many minutes they play on the field. 215 00:11:16,040 --> 00:11:18,840 Speaker 3: They are an important part of the team, they are valued, 216 00:11:19,320 --> 00:11:21,000 Speaker 3: they we can't win without them. 217 00:11:21,080 --> 00:11:26,160 Speaker 2: And so I had to actually listen to my right. Yeah, 218 00:11:26,200 --> 00:11:30,800 Speaker 2: and how that happens. Yeah, it's really hard, really really hard. 219 00:11:30,840 --> 00:11:33,520 Speaker 3: But I think now, especially now that I know I'm 220 00:11:33,559 --> 00:11:37,160 Speaker 3: at the end, I really can just after every training 221 00:11:37,200 --> 00:11:42,000 Speaker 3: and after every game, I'm I'm so grateful and just 222 00:11:42,080 --> 00:11:44,720 Speaker 3: so happy, and of course I'm trying to kick everyone's ass. 223 00:11:44,720 --> 00:11:47,840 Speaker 2: I want to get on the field, but that's all 224 00:11:47,880 --> 00:11:48,360 Speaker 2: you can do. 225 00:11:48,640 --> 00:11:52,320 Speaker 3: And so to be in a position to say I'm 226 00:11:52,400 --> 00:11:57,000 Speaker 3: doing everything I can and whatever happens, that's that's what happens. 227 00:11:57,200 --> 00:12:00,040 Speaker 3: Is a privilege to do that after this injury and 228 00:12:00,720 --> 00:12:02,920 Speaker 3: at the end of my career at home with my 229 00:12:03,000 --> 00:12:05,640 Speaker 3: family here, having had all of the support after everything 230 00:12:05,679 --> 00:12:08,079 Speaker 3: I've gone through in the last kind of sixteen months, 231 00:12:08,160 --> 00:12:12,360 Speaker 3: and I, yeah, I'm genuinely really really really really happy. 232 00:12:14,200 --> 00:12:14,640 Speaker 2: Yeah. 233 00:12:14,679 --> 00:12:17,400 Speaker 1: There are so few athletes that get to do the 234 00:12:17,679 --> 00:12:19,920 Speaker 1: win it all and walk off the field A tiny, 235 00:12:19,960 --> 00:12:23,440 Speaker 1: tiny percentage. Then there's another percentage that just get to 236 00:12:23,600 --> 00:12:26,960 Speaker 1: fight till the very last minute and then say mentally 237 00:12:26,960 --> 00:12:29,319 Speaker 1: I'm ready. Then there's a whole bunch more that are 238 00:12:29,360 --> 00:12:32,640 Speaker 1: physically my body won't let me anymore. Mentally I still 239 00:12:32,640 --> 00:12:35,840 Speaker 1: want to, but I can't. And then there's some that 240 00:12:35,880 --> 00:12:39,040 Speaker 1: don't get to know it's their last game exactly, and 241 00:12:39,040 --> 00:12:42,040 Speaker 1: that could have been you, but you battled to have 242 00:12:42,120 --> 00:12:45,320 Speaker 1: the chance to say, I know I'm going to suit up, 243 00:12:45,600 --> 00:12:47,600 Speaker 1: I know what I'm going to say goodbye, and I 244 00:12:47,720 --> 00:12:49,840 Speaker 1: get to be on the field for it instead of 245 00:12:49,880 --> 00:12:53,440 Speaker 1: in a suite. And that is a big difference for athletes. 246 00:12:53,559 --> 00:12:56,160 Speaker 1: It's a huge difference for athletes. The joy that your 247 00:12:56,200 --> 00:13:00,560 Speaker 1: teammates had in that moment watching you post after your 248 00:13:00,559 --> 00:13:02,000 Speaker 1: first game back, where you got to warm up and 249 00:13:02,000 --> 00:13:04,480 Speaker 1: everything and your coach is hugging you and everyone's going crazy, 250 00:13:04,520 --> 00:13:07,280 Speaker 1: like it was so clear that they it mattered to 251 00:13:07,360 --> 00:13:09,520 Speaker 1: them too, Like it was so important to them to 252 00:13:09,520 --> 00:13:11,200 Speaker 1: see you out there. How did they support you and 253 00:13:11,240 --> 00:13:12,800 Speaker 1: make you feel like you were so part of the 254 00:13:12,840 --> 00:13:19,040 Speaker 1: team for a really long time that you were out. 255 00:13:17,760 --> 00:13:20,480 Speaker 3: The love that they have shown me, and we have 256 00:13:20,679 --> 00:13:24,080 Speaker 3: had a huge change in the locker room this year. 257 00:13:24,320 --> 00:13:26,360 Speaker 2: There are so many new players. 258 00:13:26,080 --> 00:13:29,800 Speaker 3: Who didn't know what I was going through, didn't know 259 00:13:29,840 --> 00:13:34,760 Speaker 3: about my injury really close hand. And they also a 260 00:13:34,800 --> 00:13:36,640 Speaker 3: bunch of players came in after the beginning of the 261 00:13:36,720 --> 00:13:39,880 Speaker 3: season not even really having seen what happened post the 262 00:13:39,880 --> 00:13:43,480 Speaker 3: fire and understanding what my family has been going through 263 00:13:44,200 --> 00:13:48,839 Speaker 3: this entire year. Every morning, just you can do it, 264 00:13:48,960 --> 00:13:51,680 Speaker 3: coming into the gym to cheer me on when I'm 265 00:13:51,720 --> 00:13:55,160 Speaker 3: on the skier or on the assault bike or on. 266 00:13:55,080 --> 00:13:56,880 Speaker 1: The World car. 267 00:13:56,960 --> 00:14:03,920 Speaker 3: Bullshit, horrible, horrible things, checking in on me, having conversations 268 00:14:03,920 --> 00:14:07,360 Speaker 3: with me pregame postgame as if you know, I was 269 00:14:07,400 --> 00:14:11,080 Speaker 3: a contributing member of the team, asking my advice. And 270 00:14:12,120 --> 00:14:14,280 Speaker 3: this year was so much, so different from last year 271 00:14:14,320 --> 00:14:18,240 Speaker 3: because once we started to have a plan with my rehab, 272 00:14:18,720 --> 00:14:22,360 Speaker 3: I couldn't watch training and do a full rehab and 273 00:14:22,480 --> 00:14:23,840 Speaker 3: do my bits on the field. 274 00:14:24,920 --> 00:14:26,400 Speaker 2: You know, that's kind of seven to five. 275 00:14:27,440 --> 00:14:31,240 Speaker 3: So I wasn't able to watch training for periods of 276 00:14:31,280 --> 00:14:32,920 Speaker 3: this season, and I wasn't able to. 277 00:14:33,080 --> 00:14:34,880 Speaker 2: There were days when they'd be leaving and I'd be 278 00:14:35,000 --> 00:14:35,600 Speaker 2: arriving at. 279 00:14:35,480 --> 00:14:38,240 Speaker 3: The facility, but there was always someone who had a 280 00:14:38,280 --> 00:14:43,240 Speaker 3: kind word, who was encouraging. And yeah, I think the 281 00:14:43,440 --> 00:14:46,600 Speaker 3: being part of the leadership group and being club captain 282 00:14:46,680 --> 00:14:49,640 Speaker 3: and having a relationship with Sarah and Angelina who were 283 00:14:49,680 --> 00:14:53,160 Speaker 3: our team and vice captain, and really feeling like we 284 00:14:53,160 --> 00:14:56,680 Speaker 3: were leading the team together, even though I questioned so 285 00:14:56,760 --> 00:14:59,720 Speaker 3: many times is there a point in me being here? 286 00:15:00,240 --> 00:15:02,200 Speaker 2: Like is this worth it? 287 00:15:02,360 --> 00:15:05,600 Speaker 3: And yeah, or is this going to be all for nothing? 288 00:15:05,760 --> 00:15:08,160 Speaker 3: And you know your mind, you go to some really 289 00:15:08,160 --> 00:15:09,160 Speaker 3: really dark places. 290 00:15:09,240 --> 00:15:11,400 Speaker 2: So everyone just. 291 00:15:12,840 --> 00:15:16,600 Speaker 3: Before that moment, long before every single day, that is 292 00:15:16,640 --> 00:15:17,760 Speaker 3: how I felt valued. 293 00:15:17,800 --> 00:15:18,840 Speaker 2: And it wasn't like. 294 00:15:20,560 --> 00:15:23,160 Speaker 3: The way that they made me feel like I was 295 00:15:23,240 --> 00:15:25,880 Speaker 3: part of the team even if I would never come back, 296 00:15:26,520 --> 00:15:30,240 Speaker 3: So to then come back, I think that was just 297 00:15:30,320 --> 00:15:33,320 Speaker 3: this this bonus, this gift, and we were able to 298 00:15:33,360 --> 00:15:36,920 Speaker 3: celebrate that together. And I just have to show my 299 00:15:37,000 --> 00:15:40,120 Speaker 3: gratitude obviously by talking about them whenever I can, but 300 00:15:40,400 --> 00:15:43,440 Speaker 3: by committing and having a mindset every day at training, 301 00:15:43,440 --> 00:15:46,760 Speaker 3: you know, I'm training as Orlando and Washington Spirit and 302 00:15:46,800 --> 00:15:50,040 Speaker 3: Louisville and Seattle and sand like I've played for every 303 00:15:50,120 --> 00:15:54,239 Speaker 3: team this season, you know, to help prepare my team, and. 304 00:15:54,800 --> 00:15:56,280 Speaker 2: That is how I can give back. 305 00:15:56,400 --> 00:16:02,880 Speaker 3: That is how I can help this team try to. 306 00:16:00,920 --> 00:16:01,800 Speaker 2: Make the playoffs. 307 00:16:01,800 --> 00:16:04,720 Speaker 3: There's still a chance, or just finished the season strong 308 00:16:04,840 --> 00:16:07,480 Speaker 3: and give something back to the fans and also. 309 00:16:07,280 --> 00:16:09,160 Speaker 2: Prepare the team for next season, even though I won't 310 00:16:09,160 --> 00:16:09,720 Speaker 2: be baring it. 311 00:16:10,280 --> 00:16:12,800 Speaker 1: Yeah, I heard they started assigning you as tim Ushawinga, 312 00:16:12,800 --> 00:16:16,920 Speaker 1: which was crazy, but you did it a good job replicating. 313 00:16:16,680 --> 00:16:17,760 Speaker 2: Replicating moves. 314 00:16:18,280 --> 00:16:20,240 Speaker 3: Yeah, you know, I've all I've been. I've been some 315 00:16:20,280 --> 00:16:21,760 Speaker 3: really good players and training. 316 00:16:23,560 --> 00:16:25,320 Speaker 1: We got to take a quick break when we come back. 317 00:16:25,400 --> 00:16:27,880 Speaker 1: The rest of my conversation with Ali Riley back in 318 00:16:27,920 --> 00:16:40,240 Speaker 1: the Jeff, You've mentioned the fire. In addition to rehabbing 319 00:16:40,280 --> 00:16:44,240 Speaker 1: an injury, you were planning a wedding and then five 320 00:16:44,360 --> 00:16:47,760 Speaker 1: days before the ceremony this past January, you had to 321 00:16:47,800 --> 00:16:49,560 Speaker 1: deal with the loss of your childhood home to the 322 00:16:49,560 --> 00:16:52,240 Speaker 1: Palisades fires. So first I want to hear about those 323 00:16:52,360 --> 00:16:56,880 Speaker 1: hours and maybe first day or so after evacuations where 324 00:16:56,960 --> 00:16:59,240 Speaker 1: your parents have done this over the forty plus years 325 00:16:59,280 --> 00:17:01,760 Speaker 1: they've lived in that house a couple different times, and 326 00:17:01,800 --> 00:17:04,000 Speaker 1: they thought, here we go again. We're gonna be fine. 327 00:17:04,000 --> 00:17:05,800 Speaker 1: We'll let's pack up some stuff, but we'll return to 328 00:17:05,840 --> 00:17:09,000 Speaker 1: the house, and instead the house was gone. So in 329 00:17:09,040 --> 00:17:11,959 Speaker 1: those hours, you had gone to dinner the night before, 330 00:17:12,160 --> 00:17:16,359 Speaker 1: the night house, you were in the house the night before. Yeah, 331 00:17:16,600 --> 00:17:18,679 Speaker 1: what happens in the hours in the day or so 332 00:17:18,800 --> 00:17:19,320 Speaker 1: that follows. 333 00:17:20,720 --> 00:17:21,760 Speaker 2: So that day. 334 00:17:22,720 --> 00:17:25,359 Speaker 3: I've tried to kind of reconstruct it so many times, 335 00:17:26,320 --> 00:17:29,640 Speaker 3: and I think my parents have really kind of yeah, 336 00:17:29,720 --> 00:17:31,440 Speaker 3: blocked it out kind of because we all have very 337 00:17:31,440 --> 00:17:36,040 Speaker 3: different memories of how that day went. But basically in 338 00:17:36,119 --> 00:17:39,200 Speaker 3: the morning they were still there. They sent photos on 339 00:17:39,920 --> 00:17:43,920 Speaker 3: WhatsApp of the fire coming to like our family chat. 340 00:17:43,960 --> 00:17:47,080 Speaker 3: There was clouds because he smoke, but the fire was 341 00:17:47,320 --> 00:17:49,680 Speaker 3: up in the hills. It was going the other direction 342 00:17:49,960 --> 00:17:53,760 Speaker 3: where a little more sparsely populated area. 343 00:17:54,800 --> 00:17:56,640 Speaker 2: And I went. 344 00:17:56,520 --> 00:18:01,720 Speaker 3: To physical therapy, and it's it was a law long process, obviously, 345 00:18:02,240 --> 00:18:06,600 Speaker 3: and when I finished, I think I had forty something notifications, 346 00:18:07,160 --> 00:18:09,560 Speaker 3: and so Lucas and my parents they had tried to 347 00:18:09,560 --> 00:18:12,520 Speaker 3: call me, and there was just this whole conversation about 348 00:18:12,920 --> 00:18:16,119 Speaker 3: people are starting to evacuate, the winds have changed, and 349 00:18:16,200 --> 00:18:19,000 Speaker 3: so my parents they didn't end up evacuating probably until 350 00:18:19,080 --> 00:18:22,080 Speaker 3: around two pm, so between the morning and the afternoon 351 00:18:22,080 --> 00:18:24,960 Speaker 3: they had had time to pack a lot. But I think, again, 352 00:18:25,040 --> 00:18:29,720 Speaker 3: your the brain works in mysterious ways, and maybe didn't 353 00:18:29,760 --> 00:18:34,760 Speaker 3: have the most cohesive evacuation that maybe we would have 354 00:18:34,760 --> 00:18:37,280 Speaker 3: wished now in hindsight. But they were safe. They got 355 00:18:37,280 --> 00:18:39,600 Speaker 3: a lot of stuff in two cars, so we're really 356 00:18:39,600 --> 00:18:44,360 Speaker 3: really lucky. So they headed south to the South Bay 357 00:18:44,400 --> 00:18:47,000 Speaker 3: to friends to really get as far away as possible 358 00:18:47,400 --> 00:18:50,159 Speaker 3: because once it started coming that direction, we didn't. 359 00:18:50,320 --> 00:18:51,199 Speaker 2: It did end up, you. 360 00:18:51,200 --> 00:18:53,720 Speaker 3: Know, Insino evacuated. It did end up kind of coming 361 00:18:53,720 --> 00:18:57,400 Speaker 3: this way. My parents still thought that maybe the house 362 00:18:57,520 --> 00:19:00,200 Speaker 3: was going to be standing, but we kind of knew 363 00:19:00,240 --> 00:19:04,520 Speaker 3: we wouldn't be hosting any wedding festivities there. So Lucas's 364 00:19:04,520 --> 00:19:06,960 Speaker 3: brother and sister in law, we're supposed to stay at 365 00:19:07,000 --> 00:19:10,240 Speaker 3: the house. So now we're trying to find accommodation for them. 366 00:19:10,400 --> 00:19:12,560 Speaker 3: We're going to have something the day after the wedding, 367 00:19:12,680 --> 00:19:16,720 Speaker 3: so we're canceling everything, and we were having things for 368 00:19:16,760 --> 00:19:17,480 Speaker 3: the wedding. 369 00:19:17,240 --> 00:19:20,919 Speaker 2: Delivered to the house and I actually, yes, I posted, 370 00:19:21,000 --> 00:19:23,200 Speaker 2: I didn't even think about that. Yes, I posted. 371 00:19:23,240 --> 00:19:25,680 Speaker 3: The last photo we have of the house is from 372 00:19:25,760 --> 00:19:29,720 Speaker 3: Amazon when they show a picture of the because the 373 00:19:29,800 --> 00:19:33,960 Speaker 3: ring dot com stopped working. But yeah, there's a package 374 00:19:34,000 --> 00:19:35,680 Speaker 3: on our bench in front of the. 375 00:19:35,600 --> 00:19:39,399 Speaker 2: House at like three. I don't know how the driver 376 00:19:39,520 --> 00:19:41,960 Speaker 2: is this commitment. I don't know how the driver. 377 00:19:41,760 --> 00:19:44,600 Speaker 3: Got into this evacuated area, left the package and how 378 00:19:44,600 --> 00:19:47,480 Speaker 3: they got out, and so yeah, that was last. It 379 00:19:47,520 --> 00:19:51,840 Speaker 3: was like, I think it was glasses or something for 380 00:19:52,600 --> 00:19:55,879 Speaker 3: the reception, and so yeah, that is one of the 381 00:19:55,880 --> 00:19:58,359 Speaker 3: most surreal things. Last, the last image we have of 382 00:19:58,400 --> 00:20:03,240 Speaker 3: the house standing. And and eventually two days later, after 383 00:20:03,320 --> 00:20:06,800 Speaker 3: we knew everything was gone, I watched the news I 384 00:20:06,800 --> 00:20:10,439 Speaker 3: think literally for over forty eight hours, couldn't sleep. We 385 00:20:10,520 --> 00:20:14,040 Speaker 3: lost power actually periodically out here. And then my parents, 386 00:20:14,240 --> 00:20:16,640 Speaker 3: we finally saw them. They stayed here, and two nights 387 00:20:16,640 --> 00:20:18,920 Speaker 3: before the wedding, my parents are sleeping in mine, in 388 00:20:19,000 --> 00:20:21,439 Speaker 3: Lucas's bed, Me and my best friend are sleeping in 389 00:20:21,480 --> 00:20:23,840 Speaker 3: the guest room and Lucas was sleeping on the couch. 390 00:20:24,000 --> 00:20:28,920 Speaker 3: So that was like our aura getting ready for the wedding, 391 00:20:29,000 --> 00:20:30,080 Speaker 3: the biggest day of your life. 392 00:20:30,200 --> 00:20:35,720 Speaker 1: Yeah, yeah, were you remotely Bridezilla ask before this happened. Like, 393 00:20:35,800 --> 00:20:39,240 Speaker 1: was any part of you nitpicky type a control freak 394 00:20:39,440 --> 00:20:42,320 Speaker 1: or were you already the kind of person that was like, oh, 395 00:20:42,320 --> 00:20:44,280 Speaker 1: it's gonna be a great day and like whatever, it'll 396 00:20:44,320 --> 00:20:46,520 Speaker 1: be great regardless of whether my makeup looks good or 397 00:20:46,560 --> 00:20:49,800 Speaker 1: like my dress is perfect or you know, is that Yeah, 398 00:20:49,880 --> 00:20:53,359 Speaker 1: I wasn't a bridezilla, but I was. I'm a control freak. 399 00:20:53,400 --> 00:20:54,960 Speaker 1: So I was like, I want this to happen. I 400 00:20:55,000 --> 00:20:56,240 Speaker 1: need this to happen. I don't want it to be 401 00:20:56,280 --> 00:20:57,840 Speaker 1: too hot. I don't want to be sweaty. My hair 402 00:20:57,880 --> 00:21:00,119 Speaker 1: need to get pulled up, like you know, just like 403 00:21:00,119 --> 00:21:01,760 Speaker 1: like everything's going to be photographed and for the rest 404 00:21:01,800 --> 00:21:02,879 Speaker 1: of my life people are gonna be like, let me 405 00:21:02,880 --> 00:21:05,800 Speaker 1: see your wedding photos and how did you look? And 406 00:21:06,760 --> 00:21:09,440 Speaker 1: I can't imagine if like the nights before, I'm like, well, 407 00:21:09,440 --> 00:21:10,800 Speaker 1: now I'm going to look like a wreck. I'm not 408 00:21:10,840 --> 00:21:13,480 Speaker 1: getting any sleep. You know, where's all the stuff that 409 00:21:13,520 --> 00:21:16,240 Speaker 1: we had sent? And like, did you have that moment 410 00:21:16,320 --> 00:21:19,080 Speaker 1: at all or was it all gratitude that like your 411 00:21:19,080 --> 00:21:20,600 Speaker 1: parents were in your house and safe and. 412 00:21:22,200 --> 00:21:26,080 Speaker 3: I so I had also just had my eggs retrieved. 413 00:21:26,320 --> 00:21:28,600 Speaker 3: So the one thing I thought about leading into this 414 00:21:28,760 --> 00:21:30,239 Speaker 3: was how bloated I was going to be, and if 415 00:21:30,280 --> 00:21:33,280 Speaker 3: I was going to fit into my dress that my 416 00:21:33,320 --> 00:21:36,080 Speaker 3: teammate had made for me. So it was just a 417 00:21:36,119 --> 00:21:39,440 Speaker 3: little bit worried about squeezing into my dress. But other 418 00:21:39,520 --> 00:21:43,720 Speaker 3: than that, when my parents confirmed that they still wanted 419 00:21:43,720 --> 00:21:46,400 Speaker 3: to even have the wedding, and our neighbors all said, 420 00:21:46,640 --> 00:21:47,920 Speaker 3: we need this alley, We're coming. 421 00:21:47,960 --> 00:21:49,480 Speaker 2: We're going to drink so much, we're going to party. 422 00:21:49,920 --> 00:21:51,800 Speaker 2: We lost our clothes we were going to wear, but. 423 00:21:51,760 --> 00:21:54,680 Speaker 3: Like, we will be there, And I said, I don't care, 424 00:21:54,960 --> 00:21:57,399 Speaker 3: as long as there's food for all these great people. 425 00:21:57,840 --> 00:22:01,280 Speaker 3: Of course, we confirmed with the vendors, especially the photographers, 426 00:22:02,520 --> 00:22:06,359 Speaker 3: but I knew that everyone there would understand exactly what 427 00:22:06,440 --> 00:22:09,440 Speaker 3: we were going through. That many people there were going 428 00:22:09,440 --> 00:22:11,840 Speaker 3: through the same thing, and we a lot of people 429 00:22:11,920 --> 00:22:12,560 Speaker 3: couldn't come. 430 00:22:12,960 --> 00:22:14,080 Speaker 2: We had friends who. 431 00:22:13,960 --> 00:22:16,639 Speaker 3: Were on high alert and they drove there because we 432 00:22:16,680 --> 00:22:21,240 Speaker 3: had you know, it changed a lot, right, But I, yeah, 433 00:22:21,400 --> 00:22:26,439 Speaker 3: I just I couldn't really things went wrong during the wedding, 434 00:22:26,640 --> 00:22:30,359 Speaker 3: but I couldn't even get myself to not not that 435 00:22:30,400 --> 00:22:34,920 Speaker 3: I didn't care, but it felt so unimportant. So SID 436 00:22:35,000 --> 00:22:37,359 Speaker 3: was the one who was like was like getting on 437 00:22:37,400 --> 00:22:39,560 Speaker 3: the floorist and getting on the wedding planner and like 438 00:22:39,840 --> 00:22:42,080 Speaker 3: trying to fix things. My friends were the ones like 439 00:22:42,080 --> 00:22:44,280 Speaker 3: why isn't the wine being served? And I was just 440 00:22:44,640 --> 00:22:47,639 Speaker 3: completely like it was so blissful and Lucas and I 441 00:22:47,680 --> 00:22:49,440 Speaker 3: had the best night. 442 00:22:49,800 --> 00:22:52,160 Speaker 1: It's a good time to have a sid LaRue when 443 00:22:52,240 --> 00:22:55,280 Speaker 1: you can stick your bold on the people that. 444 00:22:55,400 --> 00:22:59,040 Speaker 2: Need to be exactly exactly. I didn't even know I 445 00:22:59,160 --> 00:22:59,560 Speaker 2: read at a. 446 00:22:59,600 --> 00:23:01,800 Speaker 1: LA Time quote they did a story about the wedding 447 00:23:01,920 --> 00:23:04,960 Speaker 1: and your aftermath of the fire, and you said, we 448 00:23:05,040 --> 00:23:06,760 Speaker 1: had a lot of people who had lost everything there 449 00:23:06,840 --> 00:23:08,959 Speaker 1: and borrowed clothes and mismatched shoes. 450 00:23:09,600 --> 00:23:11,520 Speaker 2: And there's just. 451 00:23:11,640 --> 00:23:16,680 Speaker 1: Something about a perfect wedding that is less memorable than 452 00:23:16,800 --> 00:23:20,240 Speaker 1: one where everybody decides to come together in the face 453 00:23:20,280 --> 00:23:23,840 Speaker 1: of all of this, because that's ultimately what life is 454 00:23:23,960 --> 00:23:26,840 Speaker 1: is like just community and togetherness and supporting each other 455 00:23:27,359 --> 00:23:30,000 Speaker 1: when you most need it, which can be a wedding 456 00:23:30,040 --> 00:23:32,399 Speaker 1: in the middle of wonderful times, but even more so 457 00:23:32,520 --> 00:23:34,560 Speaker 1: as a wedding in the middle of the worst of times. 458 00:23:35,560 --> 00:23:37,760 Speaker 1: And that's a real gift that you and your parents 459 00:23:37,920 --> 00:23:42,320 Speaker 1: gave people. All the photos everyone looks so happy, and 460 00:23:42,440 --> 00:23:45,920 Speaker 1: all the interviews drunk will and we'll forgive them for that. 461 00:23:47,160 --> 00:23:49,760 Speaker 1: That's most weddings really, even without the fire part. But yeah, 462 00:23:49,920 --> 00:23:51,960 Speaker 1: just the interviews with your family and your parents and 463 00:23:52,320 --> 00:23:55,560 Speaker 1: the posts during it really said a lot about like 464 00:23:55,680 --> 00:23:58,560 Speaker 1: who you all are as people. I want to ask you, 465 00:23:58,640 --> 00:24:00,520 Speaker 1: because you always have a big smile on your face. 466 00:24:01,200 --> 00:24:03,600 Speaker 1: You're always bringing joy and love and support to your 467 00:24:03,600 --> 00:24:05,880 Speaker 1: teammates and your friends and your family. It's like you're 468 00:24:05,960 --> 00:24:08,120 Speaker 1: just known for like being like a human hug basically. 469 00:24:08,760 --> 00:24:10,480 Speaker 1: But you have been through a lot in the last 470 00:24:10,520 --> 00:24:13,720 Speaker 1: couple of years, whether it's the injuries and missing time 471 00:24:13,800 --> 00:24:15,879 Speaker 1: with your national team and Angel City and the fire 472 00:24:15,960 --> 00:24:16,560 Speaker 1: and your family. 473 00:24:17,320 --> 00:24:18,720 Speaker 2: Do you ever let. 474 00:24:18,680 --> 00:24:22,359 Speaker 1: Yourself be down as someone who's always a source of 475 00:24:22,400 --> 00:24:24,800 Speaker 1: happiness for others? Is it hard for you to be 476 00:24:24,880 --> 00:24:26,680 Speaker 1: around people if you don't feel like you can be 477 00:24:27,080 --> 00:24:29,800 Speaker 1: on and be the thing that they're used to having 478 00:24:29,880 --> 00:24:30,119 Speaker 1: from you. 479 00:24:31,200 --> 00:24:32,040 Speaker 2: It is really hard. 480 00:24:32,080 --> 00:24:35,160 Speaker 3: And I think that's an important conversation around mental health 481 00:24:35,200 --> 00:24:37,160 Speaker 3: that I'm glad I'm seeing more and more of now 482 00:24:37,359 --> 00:24:39,919 Speaker 3: in sports, especially because we are look to to. 483 00:24:40,000 --> 00:24:45,680 Speaker 2: Be these very strong and yeah, it's what no pay, 484 00:24:45,760 --> 00:24:48,760 Speaker 2: no gain and just all of these yeah. 485 00:24:48,680 --> 00:24:51,800 Speaker 3: Stereotypes about athletes that I think actually can can hurt 486 00:24:51,920 --> 00:24:54,240 Speaker 3: us in the long run when we are human and 487 00:24:54,440 --> 00:24:58,920 Speaker 3: go through tragedy and trauma and lots of things. I 488 00:24:58,960 --> 00:25:01,040 Speaker 3: think that's that actually is one of the reasons why 489 00:25:01,520 --> 00:25:03,560 Speaker 3: I did take a little bit of time off this 490 00:25:03,680 --> 00:25:05,480 Speaker 3: year that I haven't talked a lot about. 491 00:25:06,600 --> 00:25:07,639 Speaker 2: Because. 492 00:25:09,040 --> 00:25:12,119 Speaker 3: I could be that person still very positive and very 493 00:25:12,200 --> 00:25:14,639 Speaker 3: determined and support the team when I was at training, 494 00:25:15,040 --> 00:25:17,720 Speaker 3: but then I would come home and just be a 495 00:25:17,880 --> 00:25:21,920 Speaker 3: shell of myself. And it took too long for me 496 00:25:22,000 --> 00:25:24,359 Speaker 3: to realize that that isn't a way to live. That 497 00:25:24,520 --> 00:25:31,240 Speaker 3: isn't living, and that I think for everyone being able 498 00:25:31,320 --> 00:25:33,639 Speaker 3: to have balance in your life, and especially for me, 499 00:25:33,760 --> 00:25:37,200 Speaker 3: I'm so social and when you see a huge shift 500 00:25:37,400 --> 00:25:40,720 Speaker 3: in what you are doing, willing to do, wanting to do, 501 00:25:40,880 --> 00:25:44,160 Speaker 3: that is a sign that something is wrong and something 502 00:25:44,280 --> 00:25:45,000 Speaker 3: needs to change. 503 00:25:45,119 --> 00:25:47,560 Speaker 2: So when I started this and where I am now. 504 00:25:48,520 --> 00:25:51,880 Speaker 3: It was like, yes, I'm sad, but of course I'm sad, 505 00:25:51,960 --> 00:25:55,440 Speaker 3: I'm injured, but I'm still like social and active and 506 00:25:55,520 --> 00:25:57,239 Speaker 3: I can live my life like, of course you're going 507 00:25:57,280 --> 00:26:01,520 Speaker 3: to be sad or frustrated whatever. But in that middle 508 00:26:01,640 --> 00:26:05,320 Speaker 3: period when you know, seven months seeing no progress. That 509 00:26:05,480 --> 00:26:09,560 Speaker 3: is a long time and with no answers, and just 510 00:26:09,640 --> 00:26:12,680 Speaker 3: why am I doing this every single day? It's not changing. 511 00:26:14,080 --> 00:26:17,280 Speaker 3: That is when I think I saw that shift where 512 00:26:17,359 --> 00:26:20,000 Speaker 3: I didn't want to see anyone. I couldn't leave the couch, 513 00:26:20,040 --> 00:26:22,760 Speaker 3: I couldn't leave the bed. I cried every afternoon, and 514 00:26:23,400 --> 00:26:25,400 Speaker 3: you know, Lucas didn't know what to say and how 515 00:26:25,480 --> 00:26:29,120 Speaker 3: to do it like and that's not his job either, 516 00:26:29,280 --> 00:26:32,840 Speaker 3: you know, and I didn't. I didn't have the home 517 00:26:32,960 --> 00:26:35,240 Speaker 3: to go to our house where I would go every 518 00:26:35,320 --> 00:26:38,240 Speaker 3: off day and have dinner with my parents. My parents 519 00:26:38,280 --> 00:26:42,920 Speaker 3: were either far away or it's so hard to navigate 520 00:26:43,400 --> 00:26:45,720 Speaker 3: where they're staying. They're staying with friends, They're all over 521 00:26:45,800 --> 00:26:49,639 Speaker 3: the city. And so that was when I had to 522 00:26:49,720 --> 00:26:52,240 Speaker 3: really reset. And that's actually also when I did my 523 00:26:52,320 --> 00:26:55,760 Speaker 3: second round of IVF, and that helped me get back 524 00:26:55,880 --> 00:26:59,240 Speaker 3: to what I want in my life and my future 525 00:26:59,760 --> 00:27:03,359 Speaker 3: and to actually give something and take care of the 526 00:27:03,480 --> 00:27:07,960 Speaker 3: woman and the person I am the twenty two hours 527 00:27:07,960 --> 00:27:12,159 Speaker 3: of the day I'm not training, and that changed my 528 00:27:12,240 --> 00:27:16,160 Speaker 3: outlook on everything. And as soon as I got through 529 00:27:17,119 --> 00:27:21,560 Speaker 3: completed the cycle and we had positive news coming out 530 00:27:21,560 --> 00:27:24,879 Speaker 3: of that, and I started to really remember that I 531 00:27:24,960 --> 00:27:27,399 Speaker 3: need to invest in myself as a person and not 532 00:27:27,600 --> 00:27:30,000 Speaker 3: just a soccer player. And then once I realized that, 533 00:27:30,200 --> 00:27:32,879 Speaker 3: I was so motivated again and I was able to 534 00:27:32,960 --> 00:27:36,440 Speaker 3: be me all the time, and I think that is 535 00:27:36,520 --> 00:27:39,879 Speaker 3: again why this is the time that I need to retire, 536 00:27:40,160 --> 00:27:44,399 Speaker 3: is because again I'm getting into that period where in 537 00:27:44,560 --> 00:27:47,359 Speaker 3: order to maintain my body in order to continue to 538 00:27:47,400 --> 00:27:50,680 Speaker 3: be able to perform on the field, it's taking a 539 00:27:50,800 --> 00:27:53,280 Speaker 3: lot and it is taking away from the rest of 540 00:27:53,400 --> 00:27:56,680 Speaker 3: my life. And I'm not saying it's not worth it, 541 00:27:57,280 --> 00:28:00,879 Speaker 3: but for me and my goal in my life and 542 00:28:01,119 --> 00:28:04,000 Speaker 3: what makes me excited. And I think everyone deserves to 543 00:28:04,359 --> 00:28:07,000 Speaker 3: be able to be their full, authentic self in every 544 00:28:07,040 --> 00:28:10,080 Speaker 3: space that they're in, and I wouldn't be able to 545 00:28:10,560 --> 00:28:14,800 Speaker 3: be me for much longer. I think, not another season, 546 00:28:14,840 --> 00:28:18,320 Speaker 3: at least not another half season. And so, yeah, does 547 00:28:18,400 --> 00:28:20,680 Speaker 3: part of me wish that this season was two months 548 00:28:20,760 --> 00:28:23,119 Speaker 3: longer like now that I'm playing, and I'm that, but 549 00:28:23,840 --> 00:28:28,520 Speaker 3: I also know that life doesn't work that way, and yeah, 550 00:28:28,840 --> 00:28:31,480 Speaker 3: I just I'm going to give everything I have left 551 00:28:31,920 --> 00:28:35,040 Speaker 3: to my team now for these last four games, but 552 00:28:35,160 --> 00:28:38,000 Speaker 3: then I really need to get back to giving back 553 00:28:38,040 --> 00:28:38,560 Speaker 3: to myself. 554 00:28:39,160 --> 00:28:41,960 Speaker 1: Yeah, I love that. I mean physically you get to 555 00:28:42,160 --> 00:28:44,840 Speaker 1: be in uniform, but also mentally you get to have 556 00:28:44,920 --> 00:28:46,840 Speaker 1: already arrived at a place where you're like, ooh, all 557 00:28:46,920 --> 00:28:49,680 Speaker 1: these other parts of me are actually parts I really 558 00:28:49,760 --> 00:28:51,600 Speaker 1: want to foster now at this part of my life, 559 00:28:51,640 --> 00:28:53,600 Speaker 1: and that makes it easier to say goodbye to the 560 00:28:53,680 --> 00:28:56,680 Speaker 1: part that was soccer. I have a friend who had 561 00:28:56,800 --> 00:28:59,680 Speaker 1: situational depression after her dad passed away, and she is 562 00:29:00,320 --> 00:29:02,640 Speaker 1: used to being the light and being on all the time. 563 00:29:03,120 --> 00:29:06,240 Speaker 1: And what you said about knowing your own baseline is 564 00:29:06,360 --> 00:29:08,920 Speaker 1: so important because I think we tell stories about ourselves, 565 00:29:09,000 --> 00:29:11,840 Speaker 1: and if we are people who don't often struggle with 566 00:29:11,920 --> 00:29:14,760 Speaker 1: mental health or depression or have off days, when we 567 00:29:15,000 --> 00:29:17,880 Speaker 1: do start to have them, we push them aside because 568 00:29:17,920 --> 00:29:20,719 Speaker 1: we're like, oh, that's not who I am. But everybody's 569 00:29:20,800 --> 00:29:23,800 Speaker 1: baseline can move, and being aware of how you feel 570 00:29:23,840 --> 00:29:25,480 Speaker 1: and how that's changing so you can take care of 571 00:29:25,520 --> 00:29:27,040 Speaker 1: yourself is just so important. 572 00:29:27,120 --> 00:29:28,880 Speaker 2: So I'm so glad you talked about that. 573 00:29:28,920 --> 00:29:30,560 Speaker 1: We're running out of time. I wanted to ask you, 574 00:29:31,160 --> 00:29:32,800 Speaker 1: and I feel like you've addressed it a bit. But 575 00:29:33,800 --> 00:29:37,120 Speaker 1: for athletes of really even just high school level when 576 00:29:37,120 --> 00:29:40,280 Speaker 1: they're done college professionally, but now sixteen years in the pros, 577 00:29:40,640 --> 00:29:43,200 Speaker 1: it is so hard for the identity part to shift. 578 00:29:43,360 --> 00:29:45,160 Speaker 1: The idea of this is who I am, this is 579 00:29:45,240 --> 00:29:47,400 Speaker 1: what I am is. I'm an athlete. It's my person, 580 00:29:47,840 --> 00:29:51,600 Speaker 1: not just my job. What's your identity going to be 581 00:29:51,720 --> 00:29:52,320 Speaker 1: going forward? 582 00:29:53,800 --> 00:29:58,680 Speaker 2: I am so lucky because I don't think my identity 583 00:29:58,760 --> 00:29:59,400 Speaker 2: will change. 584 00:29:59,680 --> 00:30:02,360 Speaker 3: I think all these really nice things you said about 585 00:30:02,400 --> 00:30:05,760 Speaker 3: me and how people see me, I hope that will 586 00:30:05,840 --> 00:30:09,680 Speaker 3: continue because what my goal has been, what my mission 587 00:30:10,000 --> 00:30:13,440 Speaker 3: has been, and what my identity I think has become, 588 00:30:13,560 --> 00:30:17,360 Speaker 3: because when you do those behaviors over and over again. 589 00:30:17,200 --> 00:30:18,160 Speaker 2: It becomes who you are. 590 00:30:18,800 --> 00:30:21,720 Speaker 3: Is to make people happy and to spread joy and 591 00:30:22,480 --> 00:30:26,800 Speaker 3: advocate and put good energy out into the world. To 592 00:30:29,120 --> 00:30:32,800 Speaker 3: use my platform to storytell and to grow this game. 593 00:30:32,920 --> 00:30:36,440 Speaker 3: And I'm lucky that I've been doing that now for many, 594 00:30:36,520 --> 00:30:40,680 Speaker 3: many years. I started making content on a camcorder when 595 00:30:40,720 --> 00:30:42,920 Speaker 3: I started playing for the national team in like two 596 00:30:42,920 --> 00:30:47,840 Speaker 3: thousand and six, and I also had a lot of 597 00:30:47,920 --> 00:30:49,560 Speaker 3: good advice and support around me. 598 00:30:49,640 --> 00:30:50,240 Speaker 2: I also had a. 599 00:30:50,320 --> 00:30:52,960 Speaker 3: Mom who told me from the very beginning I was 600 00:30:53,000 --> 00:30:55,520 Speaker 3: going to have to get a real job eventually, I 601 00:30:55,640 --> 00:30:58,440 Speaker 3: think I have been preparing for my retirement since I 602 00:30:58,520 --> 00:31:02,400 Speaker 3: got drafted, saying it has to be that extreme for everybody. 603 00:31:02,800 --> 00:31:05,360 Speaker 3: But I do think that the advice I was given 604 00:31:05,480 --> 00:31:09,000 Speaker 3: and just it also comes a little bit from not 605 00:31:09,160 --> 00:31:12,520 Speaker 3: knowing how long women's soccer would be around. I went 606 00:31:12,600 --> 00:31:15,040 Speaker 3: through a league folding and teams folding, so it comes 607 00:31:15,080 --> 00:31:17,840 Speaker 3: a little bit out of a broken system and things 608 00:31:17,880 --> 00:31:19,440 Speaker 3: that happened to me before that I don't think will 609 00:31:19,440 --> 00:31:21,920 Speaker 3: happen anymore. But I do think that we are still 610 00:31:21,960 --> 00:31:25,840 Speaker 3: at a time that players will have to work after 611 00:31:26,000 --> 00:31:30,720 Speaker 3: they retire from soccer, or you know, at some point the. 612 00:31:30,760 --> 00:31:32,400 Speaker 2: Savings will run out that you've made. 613 00:31:32,480 --> 00:31:35,120 Speaker 3: I know we're getting to big contracts now, but to 614 00:31:35,240 --> 00:31:38,440 Speaker 3: at least hone and foster other skills and passions, and 615 00:31:38,640 --> 00:31:42,320 Speaker 3: so I think it will be strange a very It 616 00:31:42,320 --> 00:31:44,080 Speaker 3: will still be a big transition that I'm not doing 617 00:31:44,160 --> 00:31:46,600 Speaker 3: those things on the side as a side hustle. But 618 00:31:46,720 --> 00:31:49,520 Speaker 3: I do feel like the person I am and how 619 00:31:49,560 --> 00:31:52,800 Speaker 3: I identify can continue, And I think that is also 620 00:31:52,880 --> 00:31:57,400 Speaker 3: why I'm really excited and feel good about this milestone, 621 00:31:57,600 --> 00:32:01,800 Speaker 3: because I actually am hoping I can, if I work really, 622 00:32:01,880 --> 00:32:04,600 Speaker 3: really hard, get an even bigger platform and share even 623 00:32:04,680 --> 00:32:09,040 Speaker 3: more stories and be everywhere smiling all at once. You know, 624 00:32:09,360 --> 00:32:12,160 Speaker 3: I love it on the airwaves and on your TV 625 00:32:12,520 --> 00:32:14,960 Speaker 3: and on your phone. And I just want to keep 626 00:32:15,040 --> 00:32:17,640 Speaker 3: being me, and I want to keep spreading the message 627 00:32:17,720 --> 00:32:21,000 Speaker 3: that everyone should be able to be their authentic self 628 00:32:21,080 --> 00:32:23,040 Speaker 3: in every space, and I want to advocate that for 629 00:32:23,440 --> 00:32:24,200 Speaker 3: the rest of my life. 630 00:32:24,840 --> 00:32:26,520 Speaker 1: Gosh, I love that so much. I also love that 631 00:32:26,560 --> 00:32:28,520 Speaker 1: you've got footage going back to two thousand and six. 632 00:32:28,560 --> 00:32:30,560 Speaker 1: I think we need to start to release the old footage. 633 00:32:30,600 --> 00:32:32,800 Speaker 1: I want a mini documentary if that's the best we're 634 00:32:32,800 --> 00:32:34,880 Speaker 1: going to get, or a full flooding if you've got 635 00:32:35,000 --> 00:32:35,920 Speaker 1: enough content for it. 636 00:32:37,000 --> 00:32:40,920 Speaker 3: There's some players, we know, some recognizable people in these. 637 00:32:40,840 --> 00:32:44,600 Speaker 1: Videos, so you know, probably with different eyebrows and hairstyles 638 00:32:44,640 --> 00:32:48,280 Speaker 1: that we would be dying to see. Which that actually 639 00:32:48,320 --> 00:32:50,760 Speaker 1: leads me to another question, which you started so long ago. 640 00:32:51,440 --> 00:32:54,760 Speaker 1: You were at a you know, Gold Pride game against 641 00:32:54,800 --> 00:32:58,160 Speaker 1: Saint Louis Athletica and the WPS in twenty ten, with 642 00:32:58,720 --> 00:33:01,720 Speaker 1: thirty three hundred people in the audience. You were, you know, 643 00:33:01,840 --> 00:33:05,680 Speaker 1: playing with your national team back in the early two thousands. 644 00:33:05,760 --> 00:33:10,160 Speaker 1: The environment around the game has changed so much, so goodness. 645 00:33:10,600 --> 00:33:12,560 Speaker 1: What stands out to you from that first game and 646 00:33:12,840 --> 00:33:14,800 Speaker 1: what do you think is most important for you to 647 00:33:14,920 --> 00:33:18,160 Speaker 1: help change going forward? That still needs to be work done. 648 00:33:19,240 --> 00:33:22,200 Speaker 3: I think what's really cool is that the level was 649 00:33:22,360 --> 00:33:25,200 Speaker 3: so good back then. I mean, our team was amazing. 650 00:33:25,360 --> 00:33:27,959 Speaker 3: The product has been there the whole time. The product 651 00:33:28,040 --> 00:33:31,120 Speaker 3: is so good, it's so exciting. What has changed is 652 00:33:31,240 --> 00:33:36,840 Speaker 3: that investors and maybe men have started to realize that 653 00:33:37,640 --> 00:33:42,280 Speaker 3: the product immediately really good and that it is not charity. 654 00:33:42,560 --> 00:33:46,680 Speaker 3: Women's football is not charity. That mindset has finally started 655 00:33:46,720 --> 00:33:50,240 Speaker 3: to shift and that we are so valuable. 656 00:33:50,680 --> 00:33:54,480 Speaker 2: And I think I see that now just with. 657 00:33:54,640 --> 00:33:59,880 Speaker 3: The advertising going on and the merchandise available because the 658 00:34:00,080 --> 00:34:00,880 Speaker 3: fans have been there. 659 00:34:01,240 --> 00:34:03,480 Speaker 2: Yeah, maybe they're only thirty three hundred people because they. 660 00:34:03,440 --> 00:34:05,640 Speaker 3: Didn't know there was a game and no one they 661 00:34:05,720 --> 00:34:09,279 Speaker 3: hadn't seen how amazing Marta was and they didn't and 662 00:34:09,360 --> 00:34:09,800 Speaker 3: the high. 663 00:34:09,640 --> 00:34:13,360 Speaker 1: School pitch could only hold thirty three hundred people exactly. 664 00:34:13,160 --> 00:34:16,880 Speaker 3: Exactly, so I think, and we're still seeing that obviously 665 00:34:16,960 --> 00:34:20,279 Speaker 3: with less invested programs and less invested federations, and you know, 666 00:34:20,440 --> 00:34:22,040 Speaker 3: New Zealand has a long way to go, and we 667 00:34:22,160 --> 00:34:24,160 Speaker 3: don't have the same investment as a US or as 668 00:34:24,160 --> 00:34:27,480 Speaker 3: an Angel City, but that is what I want to 669 00:34:27,560 --> 00:34:30,680 Speaker 3: continue to just shout from the rooftops and I swear 670 00:34:30,800 --> 00:34:34,160 Speaker 3: if you go to one Angel City, game will go 671 00:34:34,320 --> 00:34:35,000 Speaker 3: to another one. 672 00:34:35,120 --> 00:34:39,440 Speaker 2: So it's like, how can I convince the key. 673 00:34:40,680 --> 00:34:45,000 Speaker 3: Stakeholders and people with money to that it's smart to invest. 674 00:34:45,160 --> 00:34:48,600 Speaker 3: And then also just the stories around the product, because 675 00:34:48,640 --> 00:34:50,840 Speaker 3: I just know if someone watches one game at this 676 00:34:50,960 --> 00:34:54,399 Speaker 3: next World Cup, they will be hooked. And I also 677 00:34:54,920 --> 00:34:58,040 Speaker 3: want more and more girls to be playing soccer because 678 00:34:58,320 --> 00:35:00,399 Speaker 3: it is so good for them, even if they don't 679 00:35:00,400 --> 00:35:01,080 Speaker 3: make it to play pro. 680 00:35:01,239 --> 00:35:04,400 Speaker 2: We all know that. And also it will make the 681 00:35:04,480 --> 00:35:05,560 Speaker 2: sport more inclusive. 682 00:35:05,640 --> 00:35:08,960 Speaker 3: It will make the sport better and all those little 683 00:35:09,040 --> 00:35:13,240 Speaker 3: girls deserve a chance to dream as big as possible 684 00:35:13,320 --> 00:35:17,239 Speaker 3: and see themselves doing things that I could never have 685 00:35:17,400 --> 00:35:20,440 Speaker 3: dreamed possible. And so that is one area that I 686 00:35:20,560 --> 00:35:23,960 Speaker 3: think again, the more visibility and the more investment will 687 00:35:24,120 --> 00:35:26,040 Speaker 3: encourage these girls to play. But also how can we 688 00:35:26,120 --> 00:35:29,680 Speaker 3: have a system where they actually have access to the 689 00:35:29,719 --> 00:35:30,200 Speaker 3: sport as. 690 00:35:30,120 --> 00:35:32,759 Speaker 1: Well right have a chance. Well, I think your new 691 00:35:32,880 --> 00:35:37,120 Speaker 1: rules women's football hype Woman has already begun and we 692 00:35:37,239 --> 00:35:40,080 Speaker 1: look forward to seeing you across the globes running the 693 00:35:40,120 --> 00:35:42,320 Speaker 1: good word of women's football. Thank you so much for 694 00:35:42,360 --> 00:35:44,480 Speaker 1: the time, Ali, Congrats had an amazing career and have 695 00:35:44,680 --> 00:35:46,280 Speaker 1: fun the next couple games. 696 00:35:46,920 --> 00:35:49,000 Speaker 2: Thank you so much. I'll see you soon. 697 00:35:52,239 --> 00:35:54,239 Speaker 1: Thanks so much to Ali for joining us and letting 698 00:35:54,280 --> 00:35:56,480 Speaker 1: us help share her news. We have to take another 699 00:35:56,520 --> 00:35:58,600 Speaker 1: break when we come back the rest of my proper 700 00:35:58,680 --> 00:36:10,120 Speaker 1: Thanks to Ali. Welcome back slices. We love that you're listening, 701 00:36:10,200 --> 00:36:11,399 Speaker 1: but we want you to get in the game every 702 00:36:11,480 --> 00:36:13,560 Speaker 1: day too, So here's our good game play of the day. 703 00:36:14,120 --> 00:36:18,000 Speaker 1: Follow Ali and subscribe to the BFFR podcast too. We'll 704 00:36:18,000 --> 00:36:20,120 Speaker 1: put links to our social media accounts and the pods 705 00:36:20,160 --> 00:36:22,759 Speaker 1: page in our show notes. We always love to hear 706 00:36:22,800 --> 00:36:24,640 Speaker 1: from you, so hit us up on email good game 707 00:36:24,680 --> 00:36:27,359 Speaker 1: at wondermedianetwork dot com or leave us a voicemail at 708 00:36:27,400 --> 00:36:30,920 Speaker 1: eight seven two two oh four fifty seventy and please 709 00:36:31,080 --> 00:36:34,799 Speaker 1: scroll down to the stars. Give us five stars, rate 710 00:36:34,880 --> 00:36:38,280 Speaker 1: and review the show. It's really helpful and it's super easy. 711 00:36:38,520 --> 00:36:42,920 Speaker 1: Watch a career well spent, rating sixteen out of sixteen 712 00:36:43,040 --> 00:36:47,359 Speaker 1: years of phenomenal pro footy review all right, I gave 713 00:36:47,480 --> 00:36:50,520 Speaker 1: Ali her well deserved flowers in our interview, But I 714 00:36:50,600 --> 00:36:53,040 Speaker 1: got a double down here. You ever met a person 715 00:36:53,120 --> 00:36:57,440 Speaker 1: that just feels like sunshine personified, That's Ali Riley. But 716 00:36:57,600 --> 00:37:00,320 Speaker 1: not only that, She's been a fierce competitor over the 717 00:37:00,360 --> 00:37:02,840 Speaker 1: course of her sixteen year pro career, whether in the 718 00:37:02,880 --> 00:37:06,920 Speaker 1: international ranks with the New Zealand Ferns, in the uslw WPS, 719 00:37:07,320 --> 00:37:11,960 Speaker 1: Swedish League, Women's Super League, Frown Bundesliga, or the NWSL. 720 00:37:12,760 --> 00:37:14,680 Speaker 1: And not every player who laces up their boots is 721 00:37:14,719 --> 00:37:16,720 Speaker 1: lucky enough to last that long in the pro ranks. 722 00:37:17,120 --> 00:37:20,280 Speaker 1: I'm not surprised at all that Ali did. She approached 723 00:37:20,280 --> 00:37:22,920 Speaker 1: her whole career with the same fervor and enthusiasm with 724 00:37:23,000 --> 00:37:25,759 Speaker 1: which she approached her rehab process these past few years, 725 00:37:26,239 --> 00:37:29,000 Speaker 1: and I'm so excited she got back on the field. 726 00:37:29,480 --> 00:37:31,680 Speaker 1: I'm also really excited to see what this next chapter 727 00:37:31,800 --> 00:37:34,719 Speaker 1: has in store for her. Cheers again, Ali, and thanks 728 00:37:34,760 --> 00:37:38,040 Speaker 1: for the memories. Now it's your turn, y'all, rate and review, 729 00:37:38,440 --> 00:37:42,359 Speaker 1: Thanks for listening, See you tomorrow. Good game, Ali, good game, 730 00:37:42,440 --> 00:37:46,960 Speaker 1: Ali's new booty few time. It comes for all of us, 731 00:37:47,120 --> 00:37:49,919 Speaker 1: It comes for all of our bodies. Matter of fact, 732 00:37:49,960 --> 00:37:56,440 Speaker 1: my back hurts right now. Good Game with Sarah Spain 733 00:37:56,560 --> 00:37:59,480 Speaker 1: is an iHeart women's sports production in partnership with Deep 734 00:37:59,480 --> 00:38:01,880 Speaker 1: Blue Sports and Entertainment. You can find us on the 735 00:38:01,960 --> 00:38:05,640 Speaker 1: iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. 736 00:38:06,080 --> 00:38:09,760 Speaker 1: Production by Wonder Media Network, our producers are Alex Azzie 737 00:38:09,800 --> 00:38:14,040 Speaker 1: and Misha Jones. Our executive producers are Christina Everett, Jesse Katz, 738 00:38:14,320 --> 00:38:18,000 Speaker 1: Jenny Kaplan and Emily Rutterer. Our editors are Emily Rutter, 739 00:38:18,120 --> 00:38:19,960 Speaker 1: Britney Martinez, Grace Lynch. 740 00:38:19,840 --> 00:38:20,760 Speaker 2: And Gianna Palmer. 741 00:38:21,160 --> 00:38:25,040 Speaker 1: Our associate producer is Lucy Jones. Production assistance from Avery 742 00:38:25,120 --> 00:38:27,600 Speaker 1: Loftus and I'm Your Host Sarah Spain