1 00:00:00,720 --> 00:00:02,960 Speaker 1: Welcome to Good Game with Sarah Spain, where we're on 2 00:00:03,040 --> 00:00:05,280 Speaker 1: a boat in the middle of a lake, looking like 3 00:00:05,320 --> 00:00:08,080 Speaker 1: an uncooked broughtworst who hasn't seen the grill in years. 4 00:00:08,680 --> 00:00:11,120 Speaker 1: But we're happy as hell anyway, sipping on a cold one, 5 00:00:11,240 --> 00:00:13,520 Speaker 1: hanging with friends. Hope you're getting the chance to do 6 00:00:13,640 --> 00:00:16,439 Speaker 1: the same. It's Monday, May twenty sixth. Then on Today Show, 7 00:00:16,440 --> 00:00:18,600 Speaker 1: we'll be skipping the need to know and jumping straight 8 00:00:18,600 --> 00:00:21,599 Speaker 1: into my conversation from March with recent US Women's national 9 00:00:21,600 --> 00:00:26,040 Speaker 1: team retiree and current Chicago Stars goalkeeper Alissenaor. We talked 10 00:00:26,120 --> 00:00:29,480 Speaker 1: right before the NWSL season began, dishing on the origin 11 00:00:29,520 --> 00:00:32,360 Speaker 1: of her unclenay or nickname, talking about her wedding filled 12 00:00:32,360 --> 00:00:35,720 Speaker 1: off season, what it felt like succeeding legends Brianna Scurry 13 00:00:35,720 --> 00:00:37,839 Speaker 1: and Hope Solo on the national team, and how she 14 00:00:37,920 --> 00:00:40,600 Speaker 1: knew it was time to retire from international competition after 15 00:00:40,720 --> 00:00:44,640 Speaker 1: eleven excellent years. It was a chat so nice we 16 00:00:44,720 --> 00:00:46,720 Speaker 1: wanted to give it to you twice, and with the 17 00:00:46,800 --> 00:00:50,519 Speaker 1: Chicago Stars struggling this season and the legendary Mayor not 18 00:00:50,720 --> 00:00:52,839 Speaker 1: likely to get a lot of pub these days, we 19 00:00:52,920 --> 00:00:55,440 Speaker 1: wanted to remind you of her greatness. We also got 20 00:00:55,480 --> 00:00:57,480 Speaker 1: a pair of US women's national team friendlies coming up 21 00:00:57,480 --> 00:01:00,120 Speaker 1: against China on May thirty first and Jamaica on you 22 00:01:00,200 --> 00:01:01,720 Speaker 1: and third, so you can get a look at the 23 00:01:01,800 --> 00:01:05,760 Speaker 1: keepers vying to replace her. That conversation with Nayer is 24 00:01:05,800 --> 00:01:18,080 Speaker 1: coming up right after this. Joining us now, she's the 25 00:01:18,120 --> 00:01:22,040 Speaker 1: goalkeeper for the NWSL's Chicago Stars, the reigning US Soccer 26 00:01:22,080 --> 00:01:24,959 Speaker 1: Female Player of the Year and FIFA Women's Goalkeeper of 27 00:01:24,959 --> 00:01:27,240 Speaker 1: the Year, a World Cup champion and an Olympic Golden 28 00:01:27,240 --> 00:01:30,319 Speaker 1: Bronze medalist, the first goalkeeper in women's soccer history to 29 00:01:30,360 --> 00:01:32,520 Speaker 1: keep clean sheets in a World Cup final and an 30 00:01:32,520 --> 00:01:36,520 Speaker 1: Olympic final. She's a proud nitnany lyon and she's everybody's uncle. 31 00:01:36,760 --> 00:01:37,640 Speaker 2: It's Alyssa Mayor. 32 00:01:37,800 --> 00:01:39,280 Speaker 3: Hi Melissa, Hi, sir. 33 00:01:40,160 --> 00:01:41,720 Speaker 2: So glad to have you on the show. 34 00:01:42,040 --> 00:01:43,480 Speaker 1: It's kind of hard to believe that the start of 35 00:01:43,520 --> 00:01:46,480 Speaker 1: the NWSL season is already here. I imagined for you, 36 00:01:46,480 --> 00:01:49,280 Speaker 1: in particular because your off season was entirely weddings. 37 00:01:49,680 --> 00:01:51,560 Speaker 3: It was which was a lot of fun cats. You 38 00:01:51,680 --> 00:01:54,080 Speaker 3: celebrate with a lot of teammates, a lot of friends. 39 00:01:54,120 --> 00:01:58,120 Speaker 3: So definitely had a good offseason, but went quick that's 40 00:01:58,160 --> 00:01:58,600 Speaker 3: for sure. 41 00:01:59,160 --> 00:02:01,280 Speaker 1: I feel like you went to every single women's soccer 42 00:02:01,320 --> 00:02:03,120 Speaker 1: wedding this offseason. Did you hit all of them or 43 00:02:03,160 --> 00:02:04,640 Speaker 1: was there a single one you weren't invited to? 44 00:02:05,360 --> 00:02:07,800 Speaker 3: I hit most anybody that I played with, I would say, 45 00:02:07,800 --> 00:02:10,160 Speaker 3: I think there are some additional ones of other players 46 00:02:10,200 --> 00:02:13,440 Speaker 3: that I haven't had the opportunity to play with. But 47 00:02:13,440 --> 00:02:15,920 Speaker 3: I think anybody that I would have been teammates with, 48 00:02:15,960 --> 00:02:18,560 Speaker 3: I was at their wedding, which was which was awesome. 49 00:02:18,600 --> 00:02:18,960 Speaker 3: I love that. 50 00:02:19,080 --> 00:02:20,640 Speaker 1: Yeah, And it was kind of nice timing too, Like 51 00:02:20,720 --> 00:02:23,079 Speaker 1: right after you announced your steping away from the international game, 52 00:02:23,120 --> 00:02:25,880 Speaker 1: you get this series of celebrations in your honor where 53 00:02:25,919 --> 00:02:27,320 Speaker 1: you get to hang out with all the people that 54 00:02:27,360 --> 00:02:27,960 Speaker 1: you might miss. 55 00:02:28,880 --> 00:02:30,760 Speaker 3: Yeah. I mean, honestly, I can't believe it really worked 56 00:02:30,800 --> 00:02:33,160 Speaker 3: out that I was able to like physically beat at 57 00:02:33,160 --> 00:02:34,800 Speaker 3: all of them. They spaced it out well enough that 58 00:02:34,919 --> 00:02:38,640 Speaker 3: nothing actually overlapped, which was which was great for me. 59 00:02:38,680 --> 00:02:40,120 Speaker 3: I didn't have to make any decisions and have to 60 00:02:40,200 --> 00:02:42,520 Speaker 3: choose between people, because that would have had been the worst. 61 00:02:42,560 --> 00:02:43,840 Speaker 3: I was able to hit them all. 62 00:02:44,200 --> 00:02:46,480 Speaker 2: It was like eight and thirty two days or something. 63 00:02:46,360 --> 00:02:49,600 Speaker 3: Six six and twenty nine or thirty that's insane. 64 00:02:49,720 --> 00:02:53,320 Speaker 1: That's just the travel and the different outfits alone. 65 00:02:53,320 --> 00:02:54,600 Speaker 2: Did you double up any outfits? 66 00:02:54,800 --> 00:02:58,679 Speaker 3: Definitely doubled up coffits necessary. 67 00:02:58,880 --> 00:03:00,239 Speaker 2: Yeah. Yeah. 68 00:03:00,280 --> 00:03:02,200 Speaker 1: So you spent your offseason going to weddings and now 69 00:03:02,240 --> 00:03:03,400 Speaker 1: you're you got to play soccer. 70 00:03:03,680 --> 00:03:05,200 Speaker 2: What are you most excited about at the start of 71 00:03:05,240 --> 00:03:05,919 Speaker 2: the Star season. 72 00:03:06,960 --> 00:03:09,640 Speaker 3: I think just you know, the new the start of 73 00:03:09,639 --> 00:03:12,800 Speaker 3: any new season is always exciting. New team, got some 74 00:03:12,840 --> 00:03:16,360 Speaker 3: fresh faces, a lot of returning familiar faces, got some 75 00:03:16,440 --> 00:03:18,440 Speaker 3: players coming back from injury that excited to get back 76 00:03:18,480 --> 00:03:21,520 Speaker 3: onto the field. You know, to be able to have 77 00:03:21,600 --> 00:03:23,520 Speaker 3: the same coaching staff that we had last year and 78 00:03:23,560 --> 00:03:26,640 Speaker 3: build off of what I felt like was a pretty 79 00:03:26,639 --> 00:03:30,880 Speaker 3: successful season for us last year and obviously a disappointing 80 00:03:30,919 --> 00:03:33,960 Speaker 3: way to to lose and go out, but you know, 81 00:03:34,120 --> 00:03:36,120 Speaker 3: get to go right back to Orlando where it ended 82 00:03:36,160 --> 00:03:39,240 Speaker 3: last year to play the same team. You know, we've 83 00:03:39,280 --> 00:03:41,880 Speaker 3: we've been working hard this this preseason to get ready 84 00:03:41,880 --> 00:03:45,240 Speaker 3: and prepared, and I think now is the you know, 85 00:03:45,320 --> 00:03:47,640 Speaker 3: you you get excited about what's to come for the 86 00:03:47,680 --> 00:03:49,520 Speaker 3: season and what we're gonna be able to put together 87 00:03:49,600 --> 00:03:52,400 Speaker 3: and compete on the field and hopefully get some results 88 00:03:52,400 --> 00:03:54,760 Speaker 3: and get ourselves back into a playoffs. 89 00:03:55,440 --> 00:03:57,640 Speaker 1: You mentioned a lot of younger players on the squad. 90 00:03:58,120 --> 00:04:00,240 Speaker 1: How have you grown as a leader in your years 91 00:04:00,240 --> 00:04:02,240 Speaker 1: with the team. I was listening to Tierna Davidson, your 92 00:04:02,280 --> 00:04:05,640 Speaker 1: former teammate, our buddy Tyrna on Sam Muis's Pot, and 93 00:04:05,720 --> 00:04:09,200 Speaker 1: she talked about having to be intentional about not only 94 00:04:09,240 --> 00:04:12,160 Speaker 1: taking in as she learned how to be a professional player, 95 00:04:12,440 --> 00:04:14,960 Speaker 1: but making the pivot to pushing out and what she 96 00:04:15,080 --> 00:04:17,240 Speaker 1: was giving back to the players around her as a veteran, 97 00:04:17,520 --> 00:04:19,679 Speaker 1: That's sort of something that might core organically with age 98 00:04:19,680 --> 00:04:21,360 Speaker 1: and time in the league, but also might be something 99 00:04:21,360 --> 00:04:22,279 Speaker 1: you have to really think. 100 00:04:22,160 --> 00:04:23,720 Speaker 2: About in order to be a leader. 101 00:04:23,760 --> 00:04:25,839 Speaker 1: How have you seen yourself grow because you've been with 102 00:04:25,880 --> 00:04:27,960 Speaker 1: this team for a long time now your hands down 103 00:04:28,000 --> 00:04:29,640 Speaker 1: the vet that is running the show. 104 00:04:30,000 --> 00:04:32,080 Speaker 3: Yeah, I think it's you know, I've always been I've 105 00:04:32,080 --> 00:04:35,720 Speaker 3: never necessarily been the most the most vocal, the most 106 00:04:35,880 --> 00:04:37,800 Speaker 3: you know, high energy, the most in your face kind 107 00:04:37,800 --> 00:04:40,800 Speaker 3: of leader. I've I've always been more of the lead 108 00:04:40,839 --> 00:04:43,360 Speaker 3: by example, show show up and do my job, and 109 00:04:44,560 --> 00:04:47,000 Speaker 3: you know, but I think even within that, especially the 110 00:04:47,080 --> 00:04:50,320 Speaker 3: last couple of years, you know, I've I've had a 111 00:04:50,320 --> 00:04:53,760 Speaker 3: lot of different experiences. Over my career, I've had every up, 112 00:04:53,800 --> 00:04:57,760 Speaker 3: every down, every success, every failure, and I think, you 113 00:04:57,800 --> 00:05:00,040 Speaker 3: know it. I think it's my job as as a 114 00:05:00,160 --> 00:05:03,200 Speaker 3: leader and a veteran to be approachable, to be that 115 00:05:03,240 --> 00:05:06,760 Speaker 3: person that is, you know, I may not be the 116 00:05:06,800 --> 00:05:10,280 Speaker 3: one just initiating and going in and saying something right away, 117 00:05:10,320 --> 00:05:13,719 Speaker 3: but hopefully I can be approachable enough that young ones 118 00:05:13,720 --> 00:05:17,560 Speaker 3: feel comfortable to ask questions, to learn through my experiences 119 00:05:17,600 --> 00:05:19,480 Speaker 3: and kind of pick my brain about different things, and 120 00:05:20,040 --> 00:05:21,839 Speaker 3: see how I carry myself, and see what I do 121 00:05:22,360 --> 00:05:24,760 Speaker 3: in a training session, how I recover off the field, 122 00:05:26,640 --> 00:05:29,000 Speaker 3: and what that looks like. And I think I had 123 00:05:29,080 --> 00:05:32,200 Speaker 3: the luxury of having so many great veteran players that 124 00:05:32,240 --> 00:05:34,240 Speaker 3: I got to learn from and watch. And I think 125 00:05:34,320 --> 00:05:38,160 Speaker 3: the beauty of having or the benefit of having those 126 00:05:38,240 --> 00:05:41,080 Speaker 3: veteran players is they take on such a burden of 127 00:05:41,680 --> 00:05:43,080 Speaker 3: a lot of the media, a lot of the talking, 128 00:05:43,120 --> 00:05:46,360 Speaker 3: a lot of conversations with coaches and gms, and a 129 00:05:46,440 --> 00:05:48,080 Speaker 3: lot of the off field stuff that when I was 130 00:05:48,120 --> 00:05:50,279 Speaker 3: a younger player, whether it was professionally or even with 131 00:05:50,320 --> 00:05:53,200 Speaker 3: the national team, my only job was just to keep 132 00:05:53,200 --> 00:05:54,400 Speaker 3: the ball out of the back of the net. That 133 00:05:54,560 --> 00:05:57,000 Speaker 3: was my sole focus, the only thing I had to do, 134 00:05:58,200 --> 00:05:59,680 Speaker 3: and I don't think I realized until I got a 135 00:05:59,680 --> 00:06:03,640 Speaker 3: little bit older. And that naturally becomes your role as 136 00:06:03,680 --> 00:06:06,159 Speaker 3: you play in you know, a second and a third 137 00:06:06,320 --> 00:06:08,720 Speaker 3: World Cup, or second or third Olympics. When it's now 138 00:06:09,120 --> 00:06:10,640 Speaker 3: going into I don't even know what season this is. 139 00:06:10,640 --> 00:06:12,720 Speaker 3: All I know it's ten with Chicago, but some are 140 00:06:12,760 --> 00:06:15,760 Speaker 3: fit fourteen, fifteen sixteen, I lost track. But you know, 141 00:06:15,800 --> 00:06:20,920 Speaker 3: you just naturally take on those responsibilities. And I think 142 00:06:20,960 --> 00:06:23,640 Speaker 3: the intentionality that Tierne is probably talking about as well, 143 00:06:23,720 --> 00:06:26,960 Speaker 3: is that connection with teammates. Are that approachability or making 144 00:06:26,960 --> 00:06:29,960 Speaker 3: yourself available to have some of those conversations. 145 00:06:30,920 --> 00:06:33,400 Speaker 1: It feels like this is an obvious answer based on 146 00:06:33,440 --> 00:06:35,400 Speaker 1: the number of weddings you were invited to, But is 147 00:06:35,400 --> 00:06:38,320 Speaker 1: it difficult at all as a goalkeeper to integrate yourself 148 00:06:38,360 --> 00:06:39,240 Speaker 1: with the rest of the team. 149 00:06:39,279 --> 00:06:40,560 Speaker 2: It feels very siloed. 150 00:06:42,360 --> 00:06:44,440 Speaker 3: I don't think so. I think there's there's so much 151 00:06:44,480 --> 00:06:47,440 Speaker 3: opportunity off the field. Anytime you traveled. You know, we 152 00:06:47,480 --> 00:06:49,200 Speaker 3: just got back from a preseason trip. We were in 153 00:06:49,200 --> 00:06:52,479 Speaker 3: Florida for two weeks, and obviously anytime you're away with 154 00:06:52,560 --> 00:06:55,800 Speaker 3: the team and traveling and you know, in and out 155 00:06:55,839 --> 00:06:59,400 Speaker 3: of you know, locker rooms and meals and anything like that. 156 00:07:00,680 --> 00:07:03,240 Speaker 3: Yet in training and in different things like that, we're 157 00:07:03,240 --> 00:07:06,159 Speaker 3: probably a little bit more isolated as goalkeepers. But there's 158 00:07:06,279 --> 00:07:11,400 Speaker 3: enough opportunity within within travel and just every day practice 159 00:07:11,400 --> 00:07:14,440 Speaker 3: and training room and locker room experience that you can 160 00:07:14,520 --> 00:07:15,640 Speaker 3: kind of make those connections. 161 00:07:16,080 --> 00:07:18,440 Speaker 1: Yeah, a lot of changes with the Stars, not just 162 00:07:18,480 --> 00:07:20,679 Speaker 1: the name. I'm going to keep saying Red Stars by mistake, 163 00:07:20,720 --> 00:07:21,960 Speaker 1: but I'm going to stick with it. So a lot 164 00:07:21,960 --> 00:07:24,480 Speaker 1: of changes with the Stars in recent years, including new ownership. 165 00:07:25,120 --> 00:07:26,840 Speaker 1: Have you had an interest in or have you already 166 00:07:26,840 --> 00:07:29,400 Speaker 1: pursued connections with the new front office and staff and 167 00:07:29,480 --> 00:07:31,440 Speaker 1: owners to try to figure out how you can help 168 00:07:31,480 --> 00:07:34,440 Speaker 1: them promote and support the team make this transition from 169 00:07:34,480 --> 00:07:37,360 Speaker 1: a previous iteration to what it looks like going forward. 170 00:07:38,400 --> 00:07:42,160 Speaker 3: Yeah, I think my biggest rule has been just letting 171 00:07:42,200 --> 00:07:44,320 Speaker 3: them know that, you know, I want to be part 172 00:07:44,320 --> 00:07:46,400 Speaker 3: of the changes in the future, and I want to 173 00:07:46,440 --> 00:07:49,320 Speaker 3: be part of, you know, making this place better for 174 00:07:49,680 --> 00:07:52,120 Speaker 3: not just players, but staff and you know, from a 175 00:07:52,120 --> 00:07:55,200 Speaker 3: whole organization. So I think where I've been able to 176 00:07:56,040 --> 00:07:59,600 Speaker 3: kind of lend my experience is lending my experience. I 177 00:07:59,600 --> 00:08:01,400 Speaker 3: think that you don't know what you don't know, and 178 00:08:01,920 --> 00:08:04,200 Speaker 3: I know nothing about what it takes to you know, 179 00:08:04,640 --> 00:08:06,760 Speaker 3: own a club or run a club or an organization. 180 00:08:06,920 --> 00:08:09,360 Speaker 3: But I have the lived experience. I know what the 181 00:08:09,440 --> 00:08:11,720 Speaker 3: day to day looks like. I've seen what works and 182 00:08:11,760 --> 00:08:14,440 Speaker 3: what doesn't work. I've seen what builds trust and what 183 00:08:14,520 --> 00:08:16,320 Speaker 3: tears down trust. And I think I've been able to 184 00:08:16,360 --> 00:08:19,440 Speaker 3: develop a good relationship with you know, both Lauren and Karen, 185 00:08:19,480 --> 00:08:23,000 Speaker 3: our president. And doesn't mean we always agree on everything, 186 00:08:23,000 --> 00:08:25,840 Speaker 3: but I think there's we've always had very healthy conversations 187 00:08:25,880 --> 00:08:28,560 Speaker 3: and there's a lot of mutual respect there of we 188 00:08:28,600 --> 00:08:30,960 Speaker 3: have these conversations. Sometimes they say no, sorry, we can't 189 00:08:30,960 --> 00:08:34,240 Speaker 3: do that. Here's why, and I respect that. I understand that. 190 00:08:35,040 --> 00:08:36,680 Speaker 3: And then there's other things that they go, that's great, 191 00:08:36,679 --> 00:08:38,760 Speaker 3: we can definitely incorporate that, we can add that in. 192 00:08:39,000 --> 00:08:42,400 Speaker 3: So I think just being able to have that communication 193 00:08:43,280 --> 00:08:46,200 Speaker 3: and that mutual respect again, it's just being able to 194 00:08:46,280 --> 00:08:49,880 Speaker 3: share what my lived experience has been over the last 195 00:08:50,280 --> 00:08:53,160 Speaker 3: you know, fifteen years and then allow them to use 196 00:08:53,240 --> 00:08:56,120 Speaker 3: their area of expertise of you know, what that looks 197 00:08:56,160 --> 00:08:59,400 Speaker 3: like from a business standpoint or from a club organization standpoint. 198 00:09:00,280 --> 00:09:05,080 Speaker 1: Yeah, we've already seen some really cool examples of Laura 199 00:09:05,160 --> 00:09:09,240 Speaker 1: Ricketts and her background affecting the team, including that incredible 200 00:09:09,240 --> 00:09:12,880 Speaker 1: game at Wrigley Field. Some of the marketing ideas around 201 00:09:12,880 --> 00:09:15,120 Speaker 1: the team have changed as results of them already having 202 00:09:15,120 --> 00:09:17,400 Speaker 1: this established team in the Chicago Cubs that she also 203 00:09:17,440 --> 00:09:19,600 Speaker 1: as an owner of here in the city. I had 204 00:09:19,600 --> 00:09:22,439 Speaker 1: a really illuminating conversation with Lauren Holliday back at the 205 00:09:22,520 --> 00:09:25,040 Speaker 1: NWSL championship weekend, and one of the things we talked 206 00:09:25,040 --> 00:09:27,520 Speaker 1: about was her being a player for so long and 207 00:09:27,559 --> 00:09:30,120 Speaker 1: seeing these different iterations of pro leagues and then wanting 208 00:09:30,160 --> 00:09:32,600 Speaker 1: to get on the ownership side, and my coming from 209 00:09:32,640 --> 00:09:36,200 Speaker 1: the media side entering the ownership side. It benefits people 210 00:09:36,280 --> 00:09:38,560 Speaker 1: to come from different spaces and come together and try 211 00:09:38,600 --> 00:09:40,920 Speaker 1: to figure out what works, what doesn't, and what's needed, 212 00:09:41,040 --> 00:09:44,680 Speaker 1: especially when it's a player activating on the ownership side 213 00:09:44,760 --> 00:09:46,520 Speaker 1: and being able to really be a part of the 214 00:09:46,559 --> 00:09:49,160 Speaker 1: decision making, because not only then do you understand, oh, 215 00:09:49,200 --> 00:09:51,240 Speaker 1: it's way more expensive to do this thing that we've 216 00:09:51,280 --> 00:09:53,679 Speaker 1: been asking for than we thought, and so we think 217 00:09:53,720 --> 00:09:55,880 Speaker 1: they're just being jerks, but it's really not feasible at 218 00:09:55,880 --> 00:09:58,080 Speaker 1: this point for that to happen, but also being able 219 00:09:58,120 --> 00:09:59,960 Speaker 1: to then tell them, Okay, if we can't have this, 220 00:10:00,000 --> 00:10:02,079 Speaker 1: this is actually way more important to us, and you're 221 00:10:02,080 --> 00:10:04,800 Speaker 1: spending a ton over here and our experience is way 222 00:10:04,800 --> 00:10:07,400 Speaker 1: more benefited by you spending over here. It feels like 223 00:10:07,440 --> 00:10:10,400 Speaker 1: there should almost always be a player liaison in the 224 00:10:10,440 --> 00:10:13,040 Speaker 1: front office. Is that too much to ask of a 225 00:10:13,040 --> 00:10:14,839 Speaker 1: player in the middle of a season, you think. 226 00:10:16,000 --> 00:10:18,000 Speaker 3: I think maybe in the middle of a season. I 227 00:10:18,000 --> 00:10:20,000 Speaker 3: think a lot of that stuff comes in an off 228 00:10:20,080 --> 00:10:24,319 Speaker 3: season as you're building. But I think again, it doesn't 229 00:10:24,320 --> 00:10:27,800 Speaker 3: need to be necessarily a you know, let's meet weekly, 230 00:10:27,840 --> 00:10:29,840 Speaker 3: let's meet every two weeks and kind of catch up. 231 00:10:29,880 --> 00:10:33,400 Speaker 3: But I think again, building the relationships and having that 232 00:10:34,040 --> 00:10:35,920 Speaker 3: mutual trust of like, hey, just picking up a phone 233 00:10:35,960 --> 00:10:38,080 Speaker 3: and they can call me at any point in the season. 234 00:10:38,120 --> 00:10:40,880 Speaker 3: I'm more than willing to and want to have the country. 235 00:10:40,920 --> 00:10:43,280 Speaker 3: I love that they're willing and they want to hear 236 00:10:43,840 --> 00:10:45,880 Speaker 3: from me. That shows me a lot of that they 237 00:10:45,880 --> 00:10:48,679 Speaker 3: want to get this right, they want to do the 238 00:10:48,720 --> 00:10:53,959 Speaker 3: best thing. And I think where that player liaison comes 239 00:10:53,960 --> 00:10:57,120 Speaker 3: in is availability as well, and it's that conversation that 240 00:10:57,160 --> 00:10:58,920 Speaker 3: they're like, hey, sorry, I don't have thirty minutes right now. 241 00:10:58,920 --> 00:11:00,960 Speaker 3: We're about to get out of the bus, like we've 242 00:11:00,960 --> 00:11:03,000 Speaker 3: got a big game coming up. Can we chat next week? 243 00:11:03,920 --> 00:11:09,320 Speaker 3: And there's always been that communication. I think what I 244 00:11:09,360 --> 00:11:12,320 Speaker 3: am able to share with them, and to their credit, 245 00:11:12,360 --> 00:11:14,199 Speaker 3: what they've also been able to share with me, is 246 00:11:14,240 --> 00:11:16,840 Speaker 3: the why behind certain decisions. Yeah, you know when I 247 00:11:16,880 --> 00:11:19,480 Speaker 3: go and I say, hey, this is you know, we 248 00:11:19,480 --> 00:11:21,760 Speaker 3: don't want to travel or this food or whatever, is 249 00:11:22,080 --> 00:11:25,880 Speaker 3: actually like, okay, here's why that is what it is 250 00:11:26,000 --> 00:11:28,560 Speaker 3: not just like the blanket of you know, because if 251 00:11:28,559 --> 00:11:30,240 Speaker 3: you again, you don't know what you don't know, so 252 00:11:30,640 --> 00:11:33,000 Speaker 3: I can see sometimes the light bulb go off when 253 00:11:33,040 --> 00:11:35,920 Speaker 3: it's oh, that does make a lot more sense. You 254 00:11:36,040 --> 00:11:37,520 Speaker 3: kind of put it like that, like I never really 255 00:11:37,559 --> 00:11:38,040 Speaker 3: thought about it. 256 00:11:38,080 --> 00:11:40,160 Speaker 2: That communication helps And again. 257 00:11:39,960 --> 00:11:42,280 Speaker 3: They do the same thing like hey, well we've got 258 00:11:42,320 --> 00:11:44,360 Speaker 3: a budget, We've got dollars over here, We've got dollars 259 00:11:44,360 --> 00:11:47,720 Speaker 3: over here. And I'm a logical person. I can under like, okay, 260 00:11:47,840 --> 00:11:50,600 Speaker 3: I can understand that. I can see where that makes 261 00:11:50,600 --> 00:11:52,720 Speaker 3: more sense to me than you just saying no, or 262 00:11:52,720 --> 00:11:55,600 Speaker 3: you just say like we're not doing that soon. It 263 00:11:55,640 --> 00:11:58,559 Speaker 3: all comes back to that that communication and that building 264 00:12:00,000 --> 00:12:03,480 Speaker 3: anything to build levels of trust and respect and just 265 00:12:03,559 --> 00:12:05,120 Speaker 3: keeping the dialogue going. I think at the end of 266 00:12:05,160 --> 00:12:06,920 Speaker 3: the day, we all want the same thing. We want 267 00:12:07,320 --> 00:12:09,600 Speaker 3: this club to be successful. We want this club to be, 268 00:12:11,160 --> 00:12:13,679 Speaker 3: you know, a place that players and coaches and staff 269 00:12:13,920 --> 00:12:15,959 Speaker 3: want to want to come to, want to be at. 270 00:12:15,960 --> 00:12:18,880 Speaker 3: We want to build you know, that culture within an 271 00:12:18,960 --> 00:12:22,200 Speaker 3: organization that is a place that people want to be. 272 00:12:22,960 --> 00:12:25,840 Speaker 3: And in that regard, we're all very much aligned, which 273 00:12:25,880 --> 00:12:29,440 Speaker 3: helps kind of tick towards the end goals of from 274 00:12:29,440 --> 00:12:30,880 Speaker 3: an organizational standpoint. 275 00:12:32,000 --> 00:12:33,600 Speaker 1: We got to take a quick break when we come 276 00:12:33,640 --> 00:12:43,600 Speaker 1: back more with the Listenaire, sit tight. Do you think 277 00:12:43,600 --> 00:12:46,640 Speaker 1: you'll approach this NWSL season differently knowing that you don't 278 00:12:46,640 --> 00:12:47,880 Speaker 1: have national team duties. 279 00:12:49,840 --> 00:12:52,520 Speaker 3: I think I've always been pretty good throughout my career 280 00:12:52,520 --> 00:12:58,760 Speaker 3: of kind of you know, keeping everything compartmentalized, compartmentalized, thank 281 00:12:58,760 --> 00:13:01,800 Speaker 3: you compartment. When I've when I've been here, I've been 282 00:13:01,840 --> 00:13:05,080 Speaker 3: here and focused on on you know, Chicago and the 283 00:13:05,120 --> 00:13:07,199 Speaker 3: Red Stars. And when I've been gone, I've been focused 284 00:13:07,240 --> 00:13:10,040 Speaker 3: on you know, whether it was a friendly or a tournament, 285 00:13:10,120 --> 00:13:13,200 Speaker 3: things like that. Obviously, it always does overlap, just in 286 00:13:13,280 --> 00:13:16,040 Speaker 3: terms of training or different things and wanting to stay 287 00:13:16,080 --> 00:13:19,800 Speaker 3: in form and everything else like that. But I think 288 00:13:19,840 --> 00:13:22,280 Speaker 3: it's going to be I'm excited to kind of just 289 00:13:22,360 --> 00:13:27,120 Speaker 3: be here one singular focus, not have It's gonna be 290 00:13:27,160 --> 00:13:29,120 Speaker 3: nice to have some extra off days. I haven't had those. 291 00:13:29,280 --> 00:13:31,400 Speaker 3: Usually I'm playing a game and then flying right into camp. 292 00:13:31,480 --> 00:13:33,400 Speaker 3: So I'm going to have a little bit more time 293 00:13:33,440 --> 00:13:37,160 Speaker 3: here kind of with its players, with the team in Chicago, 294 00:13:37,200 --> 00:13:40,880 Speaker 3: to enjoy Chicago summer, which I don't often get to do. 295 00:13:41,080 --> 00:13:44,360 Speaker 3: So but yeah, I'm excited again just to build off of, 296 00:13:45,200 --> 00:13:47,599 Speaker 3: you know, where we were last year and how we 297 00:13:47,720 --> 00:13:49,720 Speaker 3: finished and hopefully keep growing. 298 00:13:50,800 --> 00:13:53,880 Speaker 1: You announced your international retirement on November twenty fifth. You 299 00:13:53,880 --> 00:13:55,880 Speaker 1: played your final two games for the US women's national 300 00:13:55,880 --> 00:13:58,160 Speaker 1: team on the thirtieth and then December third, both of 301 00:13:58,200 --> 00:14:00,360 Speaker 1: them in the Netherlands. It felt very where are you 302 00:14:00,400 --> 00:14:02,199 Speaker 1: elicit ay or to not give you as fans, a 303 00:14:02,280 --> 00:14:04,559 Speaker 1: chance to say goodbye on home soil. It felt like 304 00:14:04,600 --> 00:14:06,160 Speaker 1: you were like, let me just slip on out of here. 305 00:14:06,520 --> 00:14:07,760 Speaker 1: What was that intentional? 306 00:14:09,320 --> 00:14:13,560 Speaker 3: I think the intentionality behind it was keeping it clean. 307 00:14:13,720 --> 00:14:16,760 Speaker 3: Is just like at the end of the year, it 308 00:14:16,960 --> 00:14:20,360 Speaker 3: was not you know, let me avoid the US. Let 309 00:14:20,360 --> 00:14:21,280 Speaker 3: me avoid things like that. 310 00:14:21,320 --> 00:14:23,960 Speaker 1: I think it shows of affection and love and praise 311 00:14:24,000 --> 00:14:25,240 Speaker 1: and adoration from everywhere. 312 00:14:26,600 --> 00:14:31,320 Speaker 3: It just felt clean. It felt like the most I 313 00:14:31,360 --> 00:14:33,040 Speaker 3: wanted to finish the year. Emma and I had had 314 00:14:33,080 --> 00:14:37,560 Speaker 3: the conversation in when we had those three games. I 315 00:14:37,600 --> 00:14:40,640 Speaker 3: think it was October. I think we had the initial 316 00:14:40,640 --> 00:14:44,840 Speaker 3: conversation in Austin of you know, this is what I'm 317 00:14:44,880 --> 00:14:48,720 Speaker 3: thinking for next year. You know, what are your thoughts? 318 00:14:49,560 --> 00:14:51,160 Speaker 3: Where are you going? Where do you see me? Where 319 00:14:51,200 --> 00:14:54,080 Speaker 3: do you see the team going? And it was a 320 00:14:54,080 --> 00:14:56,720 Speaker 3: good conversation. I think where we ended up leaving it 321 00:14:56,760 --> 00:14:59,440 Speaker 3: was okay, Yeah, I'm pretty I'm pretty settled on this 322 00:14:59,520 --> 00:15:01,880 Speaker 3: is what this is what my plan is. You know, 323 00:15:02,000 --> 00:15:03,960 Speaker 3: I would like to finish the year with the team. 324 00:15:04,040 --> 00:15:07,280 Speaker 3: I would like to see it through. But if you 325 00:15:07,360 --> 00:15:10,880 Speaker 3: are you know, I'm telling you I'm looking to walk 326 00:15:10,880 --> 00:15:13,720 Speaker 3: away and move on. If this, if this needs through 327 00:15:13,760 --> 00:15:15,680 Speaker 3: the end here in October, then I respect that too. 328 00:15:15,720 --> 00:15:18,080 Speaker 3: If you need to get other players games and kind 329 00:15:18,080 --> 00:15:21,800 Speaker 3: of build, and I think we had the mutual kind 330 00:15:21,800 --> 00:15:23,680 Speaker 3: of understanding of it. Oh, we want to finish the year. 331 00:15:23,680 --> 00:15:26,040 Speaker 3: We've been We've had a good year together with the team. 332 00:15:26,400 --> 00:15:28,160 Speaker 3: We've had a strong year with the team. We knew 333 00:15:28,160 --> 00:15:30,000 Speaker 3: we were going in to play two great opponents in 334 00:15:30,040 --> 00:15:34,480 Speaker 3: England and the Netherlands, and wanted to have I was 335 00:15:34,520 --> 00:15:37,280 Speaker 3: grateful that she gave me the opportunity to play in 336 00:15:37,720 --> 00:15:40,400 Speaker 3: those games and finish my time with the team on 337 00:15:40,440 --> 00:15:43,600 Speaker 3: a high note. But no, it was not. There was 338 00:15:43,640 --> 00:15:46,480 Speaker 3: intentionality in the timing of the time of the year, 339 00:15:46,840 --> 00:15:50,920 Speaker 3: but not in terms of you know, avoiding the US 340 00:15:51,040 --> 00:15:51,920 Speaker 3: or anything like that. 341 00:15:52,400 --> 00:15:53,760 Speaker 2: We'll get to you either way. 342 00:15:53,800 --> 00:15:56,120 Speaker 1: They'll have a they'll have a giant celebration for you, 343 00:15:56,200 --> 00:15:57,920 Speaker 1: and you'll have to sit in all the love that 344 00:15:57,960 --> 00:15:58,640 Speaker 1: people have for you. 345 00:15:59,360 --> 00:16:01,480 Speaker 3: I still felt that out of love, that's for sure. Yeah, 346 00:16:01,800 --> 00:16:05,240 Speaker 3: even out there, feel very special, the you know, the 347 00:16:05,280 --> 00:16:08,200 Speaker 3: outpouring of support and love. I think it was a 348 00:16:08,200 --> 00:16:11,240 Speaker 3: bit overwhelming, for sure. It was more overwhelming than I expected, 349 00:16:12,720 --> 00:16:15,080 Speaker 3: but there was. There was a lot of emotion, for sure. 350 00:16:15,160 --> 00:16:18,720 Speaker 3: But it made me feel, you know, very very special 351 00:16:18,760 --> 00:16:21,640 Speaker 3: in that in that week, and I was grateful for 352 00:16:21,920 --> 00:16:22,520 Speaker 3: all of the love. 353 00:16:23,320 --> 00:16:25,240 Speaker 1: I got to do some like science or research on 354 00:16:25,280 --> 00:16:28,840 Speaker 1: why it's so uncomfortable to like take in compliments and 355 00:16:28,880 --> 00:16:31,480 Speaker 1: appreciation because I love attention and I love compliments, but 356 00:16:31,600 --> 00:16:33,360 Speaker 1: even I don't like them directly in front of me, 357 00:16:33,440 --> 00:16:35,040 Speaker 1: I want to like read about them later when someone 358 00:16:35,040 --> 00:16:37,160 Speaker 1: says something nice about it. It's like very uncomfortable to be 359 00:16:37,240 --> 00:16:39,880 Speaker 1: in the moment and have people shower you. There's got 360 00:16:39,920 --> 00:16:42,040 Speaker 1: to be some good research on that. Do you remember 361 00:16:42,080 --> 00:16:45,360 Speaker 1: the moment that you decided to retire? I mean, obviously, 362 00:16:45,400 --> 00:16:48,360 Speaker 1: when you're on an international team and you're looking ahead, 363 00:16:48,360 --> 00:16:50,680 Speaker 1: you're looking at what's the Olympic cycle, what's the World 364 00:16:50,760 --> 00:16:53,360 Speaker 1: Cup cycle? So it's not just the right now like 365 00:16:53,400 --> 00:16:55,280 Speaker 1: it is for so many other sports. It's the what's 366 00:16:55,320 --> 00:16:57,200 Speaker 1: the next big thing? What age will I be? What 367 00:16:57,240 --> 00:16:59,720 Speaker 1: will the team look like? Was it a struggle or 368 00:16:59,760 --> 00:17:01,400 Speaker 1: was it just logistical for you? 369 00:17:02,040 --> 00:17:05,760 Speaker 3: I think the struggle comes from like the emotional side 370 00:17:05,760 --> 00:17:08,199 Speaker 3: of it. It's like, what like to actually follow I 371 00:17:08,200 --> 00:17:11,200 Speaker 3: think in your mind like it makes sense certain things 372 00:17:11,200 --> 00:17:14,360 Speaker 3: and timing wise, but then to actually make the decision, 373 00:17:14,400 --> 00:17:16,760 Speaker 3: follow through on the decision, and you start making is 374 00:17:16,800 --> 00:17:17,680 Speaker 3: this the right decision? 375 00:17:17,840 --> 00:17:18,120 Speaker 2: Is it? 376 00:17:18,760 --> 00:17:20,680 Speaker 3: And then it's like I think that emotional side of 377 00:17:21,560 --> 00:17:25,560 Speaker 3: that makes it challenging. I think for me, if I'm 378 00:17:25,560 --> 00:17:30,880 Speaker 3: being really really honest, I probably knew in January that 379 00:17:31,040 --> 00:17:35,600 Speaker 3: it was at least most likely the end. And I 380 00:17:35,640 --> 00:17:38,760 Speaker 3: think that's obviously hard to say because at that point 381 00:17:39,000 --> 00:17:40,720 Speaker 3: I had no idea even if I was on the 382 00:17:40,720 --> 00:17:43,439 Speaker 3: Olympic roster, if I was playing as the starter at 383 00:17:43,480 --> 00:17:45,400 Speaker 3: the Olympics, if I was on the roster, and kind 384 00:17:45,400 --> 00:17:48,880 Speaker 3: of you know, if the Olympics go a different way, 385 00:17:49,080 --> 00:17:51,040 Speaker 3: the decision may not even have been mine once I was. 386 00:17:51,240 --> 00:17:53,720 Speaker 3: So I think there's obviously so many different things that 387 00:17:55,680 --> 00:17:58,760 Speaker 3: went into play throughout the whole year, but I think 388 00:17:59,400 --> 00:18:03,639 Speaker 3: my mindset going into January into the Gold Cup was 389 00:18:05,320 --> 00:18:07,480 Speaker 3: I think it was like this settled feeling of like 390 00:18:07,520 --> 00:18:10,199 Speaker 3: this it felt like the last year. It felt like, 391 00:18:10,840 --> 00:18:13,160 Speaker 3: you know, let me take everything in a little bit extra, 392 00:18:13,320 --> 00:18:15,639 Speaker 3: let me try to, you know, soak it all in. 393 00:18:15,840 --> 00:18:17,639 Speaker 3: This could be And I think we all have that 394 00:18:17,680 --> 00:18:19,840 Speaker 3: once we start getting older. It's something I've always talked 395 00:18:19,880 --> 00:18:23,720 Speaker 3: to to Becky about into other c Yeah, I think 396 00:18:23,760 --> 00:18:27,439 Speaker 3: once you start reaching I mean even the last few years, 397 00:18:27,480 --> 00:18:31,480 Speaker 3: every time you go into not even just any major tournament, 398 00:18:31,480 --> 00:18:33,880 Speaker 3: but any game, you're like, this could be it. I mean, 399 00:18:33,880 --> 00:18:35,919 Speaker 3: that's that's the life of sports. You never really know 400 00:18:36,080 --> 00:18:38,919 Speaker 3: when the end is the end. And I think for me, 401 00:18:39,000 --> 00:18:41,399 Speaker 3: that's something that is not lost on me that I 402 00:18:41,520 --> 00:18:44,920 Speaker 3: got to kind of control the ending of it, which 403 00:18:44,960 --> 00:18:49,359 Speaker 3: is not normal, it's not common, but I think it was. 404 00:18:50,080 --> 00:18:53,480 Speaker 3: It was very much of you could. I could, I 405 00:18:53,480 --> 00:18:55,679 Speaker 3: could feel it coming a little bit more of let me, 406 00:18:56,640 --> 00:18:58,720 Speaker 3: let me really take take all this in and it's 407 00:18:58,760 --> 00:18:59,880 Speaker 3: it's probably gonna be it. 408 00:19:00,359 --> 00:19:01,520 Speaker 2: Yeah. I mean. 409 00:19:01,640 --> 00:19:03,800 Speaker 1: Also, not just to get to sort of dictate when 410 00:19:03,960 --> 00:19:06,560 Speaker 1: the international part of your career ended, but to go 411 00:19:06,600 --> 00:19:09,119 Speaker 1: out on top as a champion in your final major 412 00:19:09,200 --> 00:19:12,040 Speaker 1: international tournament is just like storybook stuff. 413 00:19:12,040 --> 00:19:14,000 Speaker 2: It's incredible. Yeah. 414 00:19:14,119 --> 00:19:16,560 Speaker 1: Now that it's over, let's go back to the beginning, 415 00:19:16,640 --> 00:19:18,439 Speaker 1: and I want to know what your nerves were like 416 00:19:18,600 --> 00:19:22,640 Speaker 1: succeeding Brianna Scurry and Hope Solo, Like that's unreal. 417 00:19:23,600 --> 00:19:28,880 Speaker 3: Yeah, I mean, it's probably too hard to put into 418 00:19:28,960 --> 00:19:34,640 Speaker 3: words the actual nerves behind it. I think over the years, 419 00:19:34,680 --> 00:19:36,680 Speaker 3: I probably tried to cover it as best I could. 420 00:19:36,760 --> 00:19:41,040 Speaker 3: I think it's funny everybody thinks, you know, I'm always 421 00:19:41,040 --> 00:19:43,560 Speaker 3: so hard and like this game face and serious and 422 00:19:43,640 --> 00:19:45,560 Speaker 3: honestly I'm just trying not to throw up. I was 423 00:19:45,560 --> 00:19:49,200 Speaker 3: trying to read. I was trying to keep my way 424 00:19:49,240 --> 00:19:54,640 Speaker 3: of like, I'm a very processed, driven person, a very 425 00:19:55,280 --> 00:20:01,440 Speaker 3: intentional behind everything that I do. I'm very focused on preparation, 426 00:20:02,359 --> 00:20:04,479 Speaker 3: and for me, that was how I was able to 427 00:20:04,560 --> 00:20:06,960 Speaker 3: try to control a lot of those those nerves and 428 00:20:07,000 --> 00:20:11,920 Speaker 3: the anxiousness that came with, you know, following two legends 429 00:20:11,920 --> 00:20:14,679 Speaker 3: of the game, not just for the US but internationally, 430 00:20:14,720 --> 00:20:19,840 Speaker 3: like in the world. And I think where I benefited 431 00:20:19,960 --> 00:20:22,639 Speaker 3: was I had the time before I was the starter 432 00:20:23,440 --> 00:20:26,199 Speaker 3: to earn and build that trust with my teammates. They 433 00:20:26,240 --> 00:20:27,840 Speaker 3: got to see the work that I put in in 434 00:20:27,920 --> 00:20:31,320 Speaker 3: training every day, in training camps, and you know, maybe 435 00:20:31,320 --> 00:20:33,679 Speaker 3: not necessarily on the field in a game, but in 436 00:20:33,720 --> 00:20:37,080 Speaker 3: eleven v eleven scrimmages or in those little moments that 437 00:20:37,200 --> 00:20:40,400 Speaker 3: the public doesn't see, but the coaches and my teammates 438 00:20:40,440 --> 00:20:43,960 Speaker 3: were able to get a sense of who I was 439 00:20:44,040 --> 00:20:46,600 Speaker 3: as a as a person, as a teammate, as a player, 440 00:20:47,920 --> 00:20:50,639 Speaker 3: so that when I was stepping on the field, you know, 441 00:20:51,119 --> 00:20:54,320 Speaker 3: although I was very nervous, very anxious, you know, I 442 00:20:54,359 --> 00:20:58,080 Speaker 3: always wanted to succeed for you know, you feel like 443 00:20:58,119 --> 00:20:59,680 Speaker 3: when you're part of a team, you don't want to 444 00:20:59,760 --> 00:21:01,439 Speaker 3: let the pe around you down. I think that was 445 00:21:01,440 --> 00:21:04,960 Speaker 3: always my biggest thing was as a goalkeeper. It's like, 446 00:21:05,320 --> 00:21:06,920 Speaker 3: you know, if I let in a goal, I'm like, 447 00:21:06,960 --> 00:21:08,680 Speaker 3: oh gosh, I let the whole I let the whole 448 00:21:08,720 --> 00:21:11,960 Speaker 3: team down. And what I started learning was I was 449 00:21:12,000 --> 00:21:14,359 Speaker 3: the only person that thought that about myself. You know, 450 00:21:14,560 --> 00:21:18,560 Speaker 3: my teammates never ever looked back at me. And if 451 00:21:18,600 --> 00:21:20,919 Speaker 3: I let in a bad goal, which inevitably we all do, 452 00:21:21,040 --> 00:21:23,480 Speaker 3: or make a mistake, I never got the eye rolls. 453 00:21:23,480 --> 00:21:25,520 Speaker 3: I never got yelled at. I never got any of that. 454 00:21:25,560 --> 00:21:27,040 Speaker 3: It was like, all right, we're good. Like the team 455 00:21:27,160 --> 00:21:30,280 Speaker 3: was always the team, and that always gave me so 456 00:21:30,359 --> 00:21:35,200 Speaker 3: much confidence going into any game, you know, even in 457 00:21:35,200 --> 00:21:37,479 Speaker 3: in tournaments, taking everything one game at a time, and 458 00:21:37,640 --> 00:21:40,080 Speaker 3: just again going back to the leadership, the stuff that 459 00:21:40,119 --> 00:21:43,920 Speaker 3: we were talking about before is I had incredible teammates 460 00:21:43,920 --> 00:21:47,080 Speaker 3: and leaders on the field with me that they made it. 461 00:21:47,760 --> 00:21:50,840 Speaker 3: They made it so clear that my only job was 462 00:21:50,880 --> 00:21:52,600 Speaker 3: to be me. I just had to play. I just 463 00:21:52,680 --> 00:21:54,119 Speaker 3: had to be a goalkeeper. They were going to take 464 00:21:54,160 --> 00:21:56,040 Speaker 3: care of all the rest. They were going to make 465 00:21:56,080 --> 00:21:57,679 Speaker 3: it so that I didn't have to worry about and 466 00:21:57,680 --> 00:22:02,520 Speaker 3: focus on any other thing other than my job. And 467 00:22:02,560 --> 00:22:05,199 Speaker 3: hopefully now I was able to see that. I was 468 00:22:05,200 --> 00:22:07,479 Speaker 3: able to learn from that, and that's not what I 469 00:22:07,520 --> 00:22:10,760 Speaker 3: take as my role, especially here in Chicago and towards 470 00:22:10,800 --> 00:22:13,240 Speaker 3: the later stages of the national team as well. But 471 00:22:14,000 --> 00:22:16,720 Speaker 3: you know, take that burden from the younger players, because 472 00:22:16,720 --> 00:22:19,120 Speaker 3: I was incredibly grateful for it, because I already had 473 00:22:19,119 --> 00:22:22,720 Speaker 3: all the expectations from right, you know, following behind Hope 474 00:22:22,760 --> 00:22:25,880 Speaker 3: and you know what that looked like, and the expectations 475 00:22:25,880 --> 00:22:29,520 Speaker 3: that come with being the US goalkeeper. You know, that's 476 00:22:29,720 --> 00:22:31,720 Speaker 3: where there's a lot of high expectations. I have high 477 00:22:31,760 --> 00:22:37,960 Speaker 3: expectations for myself as well, but having such incredible teammates 478 00:22:37,960 --> 00:22:41,520 Speaker 3: and coaches kind of very much helped me and my 479 00:22:41,520 --> 00:22:44,160 Speaker 3: support system off the field. Honestly, my family's been incredible. 480 00:22:45,400 --> 00:22:47,200 Speaker 3: You know, they've been there with me since day one. 481 00:22:47,359 --> 00:22:49,520 Speaker 3: So there's always going to be the nerves. That's just 482 00:22:49,520 --> 00:22:50,680 Speaker 3: how you can channel them. 483 00:22:50,960 --> 00:22:53,119 Speaker 1: Yeah, I mean, I think there's a lot of like 484 00:22:53,359 --> 00:22:55,800 Speaker 1: life lessons in there outside of sport for people who 485 00:22:55,840 --> 00:22:58,840 Speaker 1: carry the weight and feel like everything is dependent on them. 486 00:22:58,880 --> 00:23:00,880 Speaker 1: If they fail, they're failing everyone. And if they ever 487 00:23:00,960 --> 00:23:03,919 Speaker 1: actually stepped back, they would understand the support system that 488 00:23:03,960 --> 00:23:07,320 Speaker 1: they have and how not everyone's looking at them all 489 00:23:07,359 --> 00:23:08,600 Speaker 1: the time to fix everything. 490 00:23:08,760 --> 00:23:12,360 Speaker 2: Yeah, you mentioned the seriousness that was really just being 491 00:23:12,480 --> 00:23:13,320 Speaker 2: scared shitless. 492 00:23:13,760 --> 00:23:15,600 Speaker 3: Uh do you remember secrets out? 493 00:23:15,920 --> 00:23:18,159 Speaker 2: It's right. Do you remember who actually came up with 494 00:23:18,200 --> 00:23:19,119 Speaker 2: the nickname uncle? 495 00:23:20,240 --> 00:23:22,680 Speaker 3: I think it was Steph McCaffrey here in Chicago. 496 00:23:23,080 --> 00:23:25,000 Speaker 2: Can you tell us about being uncle there? 497 00:23:25,160 --> 00:23:27,439 Speaker 3: It's funny, everyone's really dyed out. I always hated this. 498 00:23:27,760 --> 00:23:33,640 Speaker 3: I always hated this, this nickname, but somehow it stuck. No, 499 00:23:33,720 --> 00:23:35,359 Speaker 3: I think Steph kind of created it because it was 500 00:23:35,400 --> 00:23:38,280 Speaker 3: always people wuld always just call me to come help 501 00:23:38,320 --> 00:23:40,480 Speaker 3: them do stuff I had, Like they would have a 502 00:23:40,480 --> 00:23:42,800 Speaker 3: flat tire, I would have an air pump in my car, 503 00:23:43,080 --> 00:23:46,919 Speaker 3: battery like car batteries. I had stuff to hang pictures 504 00:23:46,920 --> 00:23:48,800 Speaker 3: on walls. So I think I just became the person 505 00:23:48,800 --> 00:23:51,360 Speaker 3: that people would always call it. They knew I'd pick 506 00:23:51,400 --> 00:23:53,280 Speaker 3: up the phone and come help them do whatever they 507 00:23:53,280 --> 00:23:57,320 Speaker 3: needed done. So it is an endearing nickname, so I'll 508 00:23:57,320 --> 00:24:00,840 Speaker 3: own it. But yes, yeah, it's can't to get away from. 509 00:24:00,680 --> 00:24:03,199 Speaker 1: It, honestly, Uncle, And there is better than what you 510 00:24:03,200 --> 00:24:05,680 Speaker 1: would get if this were happening today, which would definitely 511 00:24:05,720 --> 00:24:09,520 Speaker 1: be big Midwest dad energy. That's what we say about 512 00:24:09,560 --> 00:24:12,080 Speaker 1: like women who can fix everything and are around all 513 00:24:12,080 --> 00:24:14,720 Speaker 1: the time at the ready, so I like uncle better. 514 00:24:15,000 --> 00:24:17,040 Speaker 2: Yeah, have the goalies in. 515 00:24:17,000 --> 00:24:19,800 Speaker 1: The current national camp reached out to for guidance or advice? 516 00:24:19,800 --> 00:24:21,960 Speaker 1: I know you've worked with some in camp previously, but 517 00:24:22,080 --> 00:24:24,520 Speaker 1: especially understanding now that it's their turn to step up, 518 00:24:24,920 --> 00:24:27,399 Speaker 1: have they been calling you up and asking for help? 519 00:24:28,080 --> 00:24:30,480 Speaker 3: Not really, and too, I didn't really. I mean i'll 520 00:24:30,560 --> 00:24:33,000 Speaker 3: check in after, you know, I'll send a text after 521 00:24:33,080 --> 00:24:35,240 Speaker 3: a game and I, you know, good game, different things 522 00:24:35,280 --> 00:24:37,920 Speaker 3: like that. I think I tried to make it clear 523 00:24:38,000 --> 00:24:39,560 Speaker 3: what I was leaving of, like, hey, if you ever 524 00:24:39,600 --> 00:24:42,200 Speaker 3: do need anything, like I'm around, I'm here. Don't hesitate 525 00:24:42,280 --> 00:24:44,000 Speaker 3: to reach out. But I actually think it's kind of 526 00:24:44,040 --> 00:24:45,680 Speaker 3: a good thing. They've all got each other, they've got 527 00:24:45,680 --> 00:24:49,120 Speaker 3: their own thing, They've got a great coach and Stuart 528 00:24:49,280 --> 00:24:51,560 Speaker 3: and what that looks like. I think now that the 529 00:24:51,600 --> 00:24:54,520 Speaker 3: season is starting and I'll be competing against a lot 530 00:24:54,520 --> 00:24:56,399 Speaker 3: of them, I'm sure we'll catch up, you know, on 531 00:24:56,440 --> 00:24:58,760 Speaker 3: the field, you grab a couple of coffee or even 532 00:24:58,800 --> 00:25:02,199 Speaker 3: just chat after the game and whatnot. So but no, 533 00:25:02,320 --> 00:25:05,280 Speaker 3: not necessarily reaching out a ton. But yeah, I'm excited 534 00:25:05,280 --> 00:25:07,600 Speaker 3: to see I'm excited to see where it goes, who 535 00:25:07,640 --> 00:25:09,920 Speaker 3: steps up, and you know, I think the competition is 536 00:25:09,960 --> 00:25:12,760 Speaker 3: going to be great than competition. I always benefited from 537 00:25:12,800 --> 00:25:16,040 Speaker 3: having great competition with you know, with Ashland and a 538 00:25:16,160 --> 00:25:18,760 Speaker 3: D and Jane and as we were always coming up, 539 00:25:18,800 --> 00:25:20,879 Speaker 3: it was, you know, Ash and I were competing the 540 00:25:20,880 --> 00:25:22,960 Speaker 3: whole time. As soon as you know, Hope was out. 541 00:25:23,080 --> 00:25:27,120 Speaker 3: So I think to have that healthy competition where you're 542 00:25:27,119 --> 00:25:30,040 Speaker 3: supportive but also everybody wants to be on the field, 543 00:25:31,680 --> 00:25:35,440 Speaker 3: but building that dynamic, building that that support as well 544 00:25:35,480 --> 00:25:39,119 Speaker 3: as the competitiveness, goes a long way in what the 545 00:25:39,560 --> 00:25:41,240 Speaker 3: goalkeeper that's on the field is able to do for 546 00:25:41,280 --> 00:25:42,119 Speaker 3: the team. 547 00:25:42,480 --> 00:25:45,320 Speaker 1: I think most importantly, have you taught your successors how 548 00:25:45,359 --> 00:25:47,879 Speaker 1: to be penalty kick stoppers and shooters. 549 00:25:48,640 --> 00:25:50,879 Speaker 3: Everyone's got their own style, so I try not to 550 00:25:50,880 --> 00:25:53,760 Speaker 3: mess with it. You know that's everyone's I want you 551 00:25:53,800 --> 00:25:54,480 Speaker 3: to mess with it. 552 00:25:54,560 --> 00:25:57,359 Speaker 2: I want to have your style. You're the one. You 553 00:25:57,400 --> 00:25:58,840 Speaker 2: want to get it done like that. 554 00:25:58,920 --> 00:26:01,760 Speaker 3: As long as they can make this and you know, 555 00:26:01,800 --> 00:26:07,040 Speaker 3: everyone's got their process. So again, I think it's it's 556 00:26:07,080 --> 00:26:09,679 Speaker 3: important to be confident with what you're doing when you're 557 00:26:09,680 --> 00:26:13,320 Speaker 3: stepping between between the posts and whether to shootout or 558 00:26:13,320 --> 00:26:17,040 Speaker 3: just in a game. So I think that process of 559 00:26:17,080 --> 00:26:19,719 Speaker 3: even like discovering and finding what your process and what 560 00:26:19,760 --> 00:26:22,840 Speaker 3: your routine is will give you that confidence that you 561 00:26:22,920 --> 00:26:24,400 Speaker 3: need in those moments. 562 00:26:24,760 --> 00:26:26,360 Speaker 2: But what about taking the kicks? 563 00:26:26,440 --> 00:26:29,520 Speaker 1: Is it unrealistic to expect your successors to be able 564 00:26:29,560 --> 00:26:30,560 Speaker 1: to bury the shots too? 565 00:26:31,440 --> 00:26:33,520 Speaker 3: No, I don't think it's unrealistic. I think you know, 566 00:26:33,600 --> 00:26:35,879 Speaker 3: we we train it the same way that that the 567 00:26:35,880 --> 00:26:38,920 Speaker 3: field players do, especially when it comes into a tournament. Again, 568 00:26:38,960 --> 00:26:42,040 Speaker 3: you never know when your number is gonna get, when 569 00:26:42,040 --> 00:26:43,879 Speaker 3: you're gonna have to step up. It may not be 570 00:26:43,920 --> 00:26:46,280 Speaker 3: in the top five, but I've seen shootouts go all 571 00:26:46,320 --> 00:26:48,960 Speaker 3: the way through eleven before where you've got to be ready, 572 00:26:49,880 --> 00:26:54,600 Speaker 3: and we always have been. I think it now just 573 00:26:54,600 --> 00:26:58,080 Speaker 3: because I shot a little bit higher in the order. 574 00:26:58,160 --> 00:27:01,600 Speaker 3: But you know, there was nothing different in this tournament 575 00:27:01,640 --> 00:27:05,200 Speaker 3: in the preparation than any other ones other than where 576 00:27:05,240 --> 00:27:10,200 Speaker 3: coaches selected kickers to take it. So again, everyone's got there. 577 00:27:10,560 --> 00:27:13,440 Speaker 3: We make a big deal about everyone owning their process 578 00:27:13,440 --> 00:27:16,280 Speaker 3: and finding what works for them, and I would never 579 00:27:16,320 --> 00:27:18,960 Speaker 3: want to impart what I do on anybody else. It's 580 00:27:19,000 --> 00:27:21,320 Speaker 3: important that you know you can kind of make it 581 00:27:21,359 --> 00:27:22,600 Speaker 3: your own Yeah. 582 00:27:22,680 --> 00:27:24,960 Speaker 1: I mean, I think it's just between that Conka caf 583 00:27:25,160 --> 00:27:27,840 Speaker 1: W Gold Cup semi final and then the She Believes 584 00:27:27,880 --> 00:27:30,760 Speaker 1: Cup game that happened, you know, in March and April, 585 00:27:30,800 --> 00:27:33,880 Speaker 1: so back to back. These moments of you making three 586 00:27:33,920 --> 00:27:36,680 Speaker 1: penalty saves in a shootout and then burying your own 587 00:27:36,720 --> 00:27:39,600 Speaker 1: shot became the stuff of legend. And now I think 588 00:27:39,600 --> 00:27:42,280 Speaker 1: we have very high expectations for whoever succeeds you that 589 00:27:42,320 --> 00:27:45,720 Speaker 1: they will also be able to do that unbelievable thing. 590 00:27:46,600 --> 00:27:48,520 Speaker 1: Speaking of that She Believes, how is it watching as 591 00:27:48,560 --> 00:27:50,840 Speaker 1: a fan this was your first kind of tournament with 592 00:27:50,920 --> 00:27:52,560 Speaker 1: the trophy that you weren't back there. 593 00:27:54,080 --> 00:27:56,160 Speaker 3: It was It was good. I mean, it was definitely 594 00:27:56,240 --> 00:28:00,520 Speaker 3: weird for sure to watch, but it was it was 595 00:28:00,640 --> 00:28:02,800 Speaker 3: nice to be a spectator to see where, you know, 596 00:28:02,840 --> 00:28:06,000 Speaker 3: the team team was, you know, kind of in their 597 00:28:06,080 --> 00:28:08,400 Speaker 3: process of different things. I think it was a great 598 00:28:08,400 --> 00:28:13,320 Speaker 3: opportunity for a young group obviously missing a number of 599 00:28:13,480 --> 00:28:17,439 Speaker 3: regulars as well, but again it's a great opportunity in 600 00:28:17,440 --> 00:28:19,800 Speaker 3: this three year build till the next World Cup for 601 00:28:20,600 --> 00:28:24,080 Speaker 3: Emma and the coaches to really start to evaluate and 602 00:28:24,119 --> 00:28:25,560 Speaker 3: to see in a lot of those players that got 603 00:28:25,560 --> 00:28:29,240 Speaker 3: those chances have been consistently playing well and in the 604 00:28:29,320 --> 00:28:33,679 Speaker 3: league and in their clubs environments, so to see somebody 605 00:28:33,720 --> 00:28:37,800 Speaker 3: on an international level is important. So to me, it 606 00:28:37,840 --> 00:28:40,120 Speaker 3: was it was fun to watch. It was I was 607 00:28:40,160 --> 00:28:43,360 Speaker 3: definitely cheering when when we scored some goals and they had, 608 00:28:43,920 --> 00:28:46,880 Speaker 3: But you know, it's nice to be a fan. No tears, 609 00:28:47,920 --> 00:28:50,800 Speaker 3: No tears, Actually not that that's that surprise. I'm not 610 00:28:50,840 --> 00:28:53,760 Speaker 3: a big crier, but they're not surprising. 611 00:28:53,960 --> 00:28:59,560 Speaker 1: Oh cool, Okay, last question, toughest question, the three strikers 612 00:28:59,600 --> 00:29:03,920 Speaker 1: you are most dreading seeing coming your way this NWSL season. 613 00:29:04,440 --> 00:29:07,280 Speaker 3: I don't like the phrasing of most dreaded. 614 00:29:07,080 --> 00:29:11,600 Speaker 1: Okay, but most way if you won, no defender between 615 00:29:11,600 --> 00:29:13,200 Speaker 1: you and them. 616 00:29:13,240 --> 00:29:15,120 Speaker 3: I mean, we definitely have a big challenge coming up 617 00:29:15,120 --> 00:29:18,520 Speaker 3: in our first week playing against Barbara Banda, so we're 618 00:29:18,560 --> 00:29:21,920 Speaker 3: gonna raining. That's gonna be a tough, tough challenge for us. 619 00:29:21,960 --> 00:29:23,840 Speaker 3: But we obviously saw what she could do not only 620 00:29:23,840 --> 00:29:25,640 Speaker 3: against us last year but the rest of the league. 621 00:29:25,680 --> 00:29:29,240 Speaker 3: So she's definitely high on that list. But we're preparing, 622 00:29:29,280 --> 00:29:33,040 Speaker 3: we'll be ready for whatever she can throw at us. 623 00:29:33,160 --> 00:29:38,760 Speaker 3: Hopefully try to keep her, you know, subdued a little 624 00:29:38,760 --> 00:29:41,760 Speaker 3: bit quieter. But gosh, it's hard to pick three. There's 625 00:29:41,800 --> 00:29:43,520 Speaker 3: so many good attacking players in this league. I think 626 00:29:43,520 --> 00:29:45,920 Speaker 3: I feel like every team has like not just one, 627 00:29:45,960 --> 00:29:47,920 Speaker 3: but a second. If you take out the main one, 628 00:29:47,960 --> 00:29:51,360 Speaker 3: it's like you get hit with the double punch. But 629 00:29:51,360 --> 00:29:53,360 Speaker 3: but yeah, I mean, obviously we said we're not gonna 630 00:29:53,360 --> 00:29:57,240 Speaker 3: play against Sophia Wilson this year. Necessarily great, great. 631 00:29:57,080 --> 00:29:57,880 Speaker 2: Take off your list. 632 00:29:57,960 --> 00:30:02,640 Speaker 3: Yeah, yeah, she would definitely have been and you yeah, great, great, congrats. 633 00:30:02,680 --> 00:30:04,640 Speaker 3: I'm so happy for you know, her and Michael so, 634 00:30:05,080 --> 00:30:07,200 Speaker 3: but yeah, she would have been high up on that list. Obviously, 635 00:30:07,240 --> 00:30:10,080 Speaker 3: trend always it's good to see her, to see her 636 00:30:10,120 --> 00:30:13,360 Speaker 3: back in, and she's always exciting, always has that flare, 637 00:30:14,640 --> 00:30:17,800 Speaker 3: obviously chewinga reigning MVP. Always got to know where she is. 638 00:30:19,040 --> 00:30:20,760 Speaker 3: You know, she can hit you with the speed, she 639 00:30:20,800 --> 00:30:23,440 Speaker 3: can hit you with just you know, a regular shots. 640 00:30:23,480 --> 00:30:28,600 Speaker 3: So but yeah, I mean, Ali's yeah, you know, she's 641 00:30:30,040 --> 00:30:33,680 Speaker 3: I know she's She's been fun to watch kind of 642 00:30:33,960 --> 00:30:37,200 Speaker 3: elevate that game. So I'm sure I'm I'm missing some 643 00:30:37,320 --> 00:30:38,680 Speaker 3: off the top of my head that we're going to 644 00:30:38,760 --> 00:30:42,560 Speaker 3: be impactful. But but no, I think that's that's one 645 00:30:42,560 --> 00:30:44,160 Speaker 3: of the best parts about this league is I think 646 00:30:44,160 --> 00:30:46,240 Speaker 3: it's the most competitive league in the world. I think 647 00:30:46,640 --> 00:30:50,120 Speaker 3: every single week you're you're playing against high quality opponents 648 00:30:50,160 --> 00:30:52,920 Speaker 3: that you have to show them the utmost respect and 649 00:30:52,920 --> 00:30:56,000 Speaker 3: and through preparation and everything else, get ready for him 650 00:30:56,040 --> 00:30:58,760 Speaker 3: and put your best foot forward. But you can never 651 00:30:58,840 --> 00:31:00,959 Speaker 3: let up in this league. You always to be on 652 00:31:01,000 --> 00:31:05,280 Speaker 3: your front foot and ready. But I think it's exciting, 653 00:31:05,280 --> 00:31:06,280 Speaker 3: it'll be it'll be fun. 654 00:31:06,680 --> 00:31:07,880 Speaker 2: I can't believe it's already here. 655 00:31:07,920 --> 00:31:11,200 Speaker 1: We're so excited for the season for all the Stars 656 00:31:11,200 --> 00:31:13,560 Speaker 1: games almost said red Stars, all the Stars games, but 657 00:31:13,920 --> 00:31:16,480 Speaker 1: especially another doubleheader with the Fire at Soldier Field, which 658 00:31:16,480 --> 00:31:18,440 Speaker 1: is always a blast. So so much to look forward to, 659 00:31:18,640 --> 00:31:20,600 Speaker 1: unless I know you're super busy with the season starting. 660 00:31:20,640 --> 00:31:22,160 Speaker 1: Thanks so much for giving us this time. 661 00:31:22,360 --> 00:31:27,360 Speaker 3: Of course, Thanks Aara, we have to take another break. 662 00:31:27,480 --> 00:31:39,720 Speaker 2: We'll be right back. Welcome back, Slices. 663 00:31:39,760 --> 00:31:41,360 Speaker 1: We love that you're listening, but we want you to 664 00:31:41,360 --> 00:31:43,320 Speaker 1: get in the game every day too. So here's our 665 00:31:43,360 --> 00:31:45,400 Speaker 1: good game play of the day. If you're looking for 666 00:31:45,440 --> 00:31:47,080 Speaker 1: something to do this weekend and want to take in 667 00:31:47,160 --> 00:31:50,400 Speaker 1: some soccer, grab tickets to the US women's national team friendlies. 668 00:31:50,600 --> 00:31:53,200 Speaker 1: The squad will face China on May thirty first at 669 00:31:53,200 --> 00:31:56,400 Speaker 1: ali On's Field in Saint Paul, Minnesota, and then Jamaica 670 00:31:56,440 --> 00:31:59,680 Speaker 1: on June third at Energizer Park in Saint Louis. That's 671 00:31:59,680 --> 00:32:02,440 Speaker 1: second match also is going to include a pregame retirement 672 00:32:02,480 --> 00:32:05,480 Speaker 1: celebration for one of the listenator's former teammates, Becky souerbrun 673 00:32:05,800 --> 00:32:07,800 Speaker 1: a Saint Louis native and US women's. 674 00:32:07,560 --> 00:32:09,440 Speaker 2: National team legend. That should be fun. 675 00:32:09,760 --> 00:32:11,440 Speaker 1: We always love to hear from you slices, so hit 676 00:32:11,520 --> 00:32:14,280 Speaker 1: us up on email, Good Game at wondermedianetwork dot com 677 00:32:14,440 --> 00:32:16,680 Speaker 1: or leave us a voicemail at eight seven two two 678 00:32:16,720 --> 00:32:19,480 Speaker 1: O four fifty seventy and thanks for listening. See you 679 00:32:19,480 --> 00:32:22,000 Speaker 1: tomorrow for my conversation with one of the greatest beach 680 00:32:22,080 --> 00:32:26,200 Speaker 1: volleyball players of all time, April Ross. Good game, Melissa, 681 00:32:26,520 --> 00:32:29,920 Speaker 1: good game, Becky sowerbrun Gie you the fact that every 682 00:32:29,920 --> 00:32:31,479 Speaker 1: weekend isnt a three day weekend. 683 00:32:32,080 --> 00:32:33,600 Speaker 2: In fact, why not go for four? 684 00:32:36,280 --> 00:32:39,320 Speaker 1: Good Game with Sarah Spain is an iheartwomen's sports production 685 00:32:39,480 --> 00:32:42,240 Speaker 1: in partnership with Deep Blue Sports and Entertainment. You could 686 00:32:42,240 --> 00:32:45,280 Speaker 1: find us on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever 687 00:32:45,320 --> 00:32:49,200 Speaker 1: you Get Your Podcasts production by Wondermedia Network. Our producers 688 00:32:49,200 --> 00:32:52,680 Speaker 1: are alex Azzi and Misha Jones. Our executive producers are 689 00:32:52,720 --> 00:32:56,640 Speaker 1: Christina Everett, Jesse Katz, Jenny Kaplan and Emily Rudder. Our 690 00:32:56,760 --> 00:32:59,920 Speaker 1: editors are Emily Rudder, Britney Martinez, Grace Lynch and gm 691 00:33:00,000 --> 00:33:03,360 Speaker 1: Ana Palmer. Our associate producer is Lucy Jones and I'm 692 00:33:03,400 --> 00:33:04,760 Speaker 1: Your Host Sarah Spain