Welcome back to Sheep Pivots. I'm Ali Kreeger.

Welcome back to Sheep Pivots. I'm Ali Kreeger.

Welcome back to Sheep Pivots. I'm your host, Emily Tish Sussman. When I was planning this season, I wanted to make sure she Pivots was a means for building connections. I said during our season launch party that we're the generation of women who build bridges and don't tear each other down, and she pivots as a way to empower women to look inward to find success for themselves and not by society standards.

Welcome back to Sheep Pivots. I'm your host, Emily Tish Sussman. When I was planning this season, I wanted to make sure she Pivots was a means for building connections. I said during our season launch party that we're the generation of women who build bridges and don't tear each other down, and she pivots as a way to empower women to look inward to find success for themselves and not by society standards.

And it's working.

And it's working.

We're seeing a substantial change in the way women think about and talk about their lives and their careers. I'm so excited to dig deeper into these pivotal moments through these shorter, more conversational, candid convos this season. Let's jump right in. Joining us today is none other than Ali Krieger. If you know soccer, then you know Ali known world worldwide, she is a World Cup champion, an Olympic athlete, and one of the most respected defenders in the game. As the world gathers for the twenty twenty four Olympics, it's the perfect time to reflect on the career of someone who's done it before. This past fall, Ali announced her retirement, marking the end of an incredibly successful career that spanned almost two decades at the highest level of women's soccer. Also this past fall, my family and I became co owners of Gotham FC, just days before they took home the National Women's Soccer League championship with Ali as the captain. I remember that feeling in the stadium when they played, and then when they won, you could feel that everyone was behind them, especially Alli. The crowd would randomly break out into chance of Ali Krieger. Ali's journey is one of great determination and an unwavering passion for the sport. From her early days playing in college to becoming a cornerstone of the un US women's national team, Ali has left an indelible mark on the pitch. She's not just a phenomenal athlete. Ali is a trailblazer and an advocate for equality and inclusion in sports. Her leadership on and off the field has inspired a new generation of athletes to dream big and fight for their place in the game. Today, we'll be talking about her incredible career, the highs and lows, the memorable moments and what lies ahead for her post retirement. Will also dive deep into her experiences as an Olympic athlete and some deeply personal moments she's gone through recently. This is an episode you don't want to miss enjoy.

We're seeing a substantial change in the way women think about and talk about their lives and their careers. I'm so excited to dig deeper into these pivotal moments through these shorter, more conversational, candid convos this season. Let's jump right in. Joining us today is none other than Ali Krieger. If you know soccer, then you know Ali known world worldwide, she is a World Cup champion, an Olympic athlete, and one of the most respected defenders in the game. As the world gathers for the twenty twenty four Olympics, it's the perfect time to reflect on the career of someone who's done it before. This past fall, Ali announced her retirement, marking the end of an incredibly successful career that spanned almost two decades at the highest level of women's soccer. Also this past fall, my family and I became co owners of Gotham FC, just days before they took home the National Women's Soccer League championship with Ali as the captain. I remember that feeling in the stadium when they played, and then when they won, you could feel that everyone was behind them, especially Alli. The crowd would randomly break out into chance of Ali Krieger. Ali's journey is one of great determination and an unwavering passion for the sport. From her early days playing in college to becoming a cornerstone of the un US women's national team, Ali has left an indelible mark on the pitch. She's not just a phenomenal athlete. Ali is a trailblazer and an advocate for equality and inclusion in sports. Her leadership on and off the field has inspired a new generation of athletes to dream big and fight for their place in the game. Today, we'll be talking about her incredible career, the highs and lows, the memorable moments and what lies ahead for her post retirement. Will also dive deep into her experiences as an Olympic athlete and some deeply personal moments she's gone through recently. This is an episode you don't want to miss enjoy.

I'm Ali Kreeger.

I'm Ali Kreeger.

I am a former World Cup champion, an Olympian end of yusel champion. I played for Gotham FCUS women's national team and I now live in New York and I'm an ESPN soccer analyst.

I am a former World Cup champion, an Olympian end of yusel champion. I played for Gotham FCUS women's national team and I now live in New York and I'm an ESPN soccer analyst.

Okay, so you're from You're from Virginia. You started playing at a really young age. Did you just like go on the pitch and it clicked?

Okay, so you're from You're from Virginia. You started playing at a really young age. Did you just like go on the pitch and it clicked?

Yeah? I did.

Yeah? I did.

I mean, I honestly wanted to just hang out with my brother all the time. My dad played soccer in college and professionally. My mom was also an athlete. She played softball and basketball, and it was just in our family that that was kind of just our lifestyle.

I mean, I honestly wanted to just hang out with my brother all the time. My dad played soccer in college and professionally. My mom was also an athlete. She played softball and basketball, and it was just in our family that that was kind of just our lifestyle.

You know.

You know.

It ended up being, you know, just such an active lifestyle growing up. And I loved my brother and I just wanted to do everything he did. And I was so competitive at a young age, and so I just wanted to compete with him at everything he did, and he started playing soccer, and so we played on the same team. It was the Cosmos back when I was you know, five and he was six, and I really enjoyed it was like an indoor team, and I basically just wanted to follow him around and do whatever he did. And I ended up really loving it because maybe more so because my best friends were playing and I had friends on the team and that was a team environment was like really fun for me when I was young. But it was basically because of my brother that really got me started. And my dad coached, so it kind of was an easy, easy transition, you know, into the sport because he was kind of guiding me in that way.

It ended up being, you know, just such an active lifestyle growing up. And I loved my brother and I just wanted to do everything he did. And I was so competitive at a young age, and so I just wanted to compete with him at everything he did, and he started playing soccer, and so we played on the same team. It was the Cosmos back when I was you know, five and he was six, and I really enjoyed it was like an indoor team, and I basically just wanted to follow him around and do whatever he did. And I ended up really loving it because maybe more so because my best friends were playing and I had friends on the team and that was a team environment was like really fun for me when I was young. But it was basically because of my brother that really got me started. And my dad coached, so it kind of was an easy, easy transition, you know, into the sport because he was kind of guiding me in that way.

When did you get better than your brother? And was he mad?

When did you get better than your brother? And was he mad?

I think I was better than him maybe starting to enter high school. Like he was always bigger, you know, faster, stronger, and I'd always make him go out into the yard and play like one bi one or you know, hit it against the wall.

I think I was better than him maybe starting to enter high school. Like he was always bigger, you know, faster, stronger, and I'd always make him go out into the yard and play like one bi one or you know, hit it against the wall.

We had like a brick wall at our house.

We had like a brick wall at our house.

And so I was like lucky enough to just like go outside and just always have a passing partner and I would go and maybe train with his team sometimes and and vice versa. He would come and train with us as well, and my teams. My dad was both of our coaches, and it just yeah, I mean, I don't know. I think I started recognizing that I was actually good at it and it wasn't just for fun. Of course, I loved it, and I enjoyed playing in the tournaments and club games and things like that and going to train, but I also played basketball. I did AU basketball, and I played club volleyball too, so it wasn't my sole focus, but I knew that I was probably better at that than the other sports. And Kyle, yeah, he was interested in a lot of other things. He was so creative too, and loved biology, and so his interests kind of spanned in that way, and I stuck with it, and I don't know, I think in high school I recognized that maybe I was going to be really good and he was getting nervous.

And so I was like lucky enough to just like go outside and just always have a passing partner and I would go and maybe train with his team sometimes and and vice versa. He would come and train with us as well, and my teams. My dad was both of our coaches, and it just yeah, I mean, I don't know. I think I started recognizing that I was actually good at it and it wasn't just for fun. Of course, I loved it, and I enjoyed playing in the tournaments and club games and things like that and going to train, but I also played basketball. I did AU basketball, and I played club volleyball too, so it wasn't my sole focus, but I knew that I was probably better at that than the other sports. And Kyle, yeah, he was interested in a lot of other things. He was so creative too, and loved biology, and so his interests kind of spanned in that way, and I stuck with it, and I don't know, I think in high school I recognized that maybe I was going to be really good and he was getting nervous.

Rightfully, So, yeah, did you?

Rightfully, So, yeah, did you?

I mean, obviously you went to college to play, but there wasn't a well established US league when you went into college, I mean even when you left college, so like, were you thinking about playing professionally or what did a vision of a soccer life looked like for you?

I mean, obviously you went to college to play, but there wasn't a well established US league when you went into college, I mean even when you left college, so like, were you thinking about playing professionally or what did a vision of a soccer life looked like for you?

So when I entered school. I think that was when WUSA had just folded, maybe in two thousand and three. Unfortunately, I was so looking forward to just having an experience and possibly dreaming of playing professionally. At that time, I was just worried about going to school, attending school and being a student athlete and succeeding there. So I don't know if my thoughts were, oh, I can actually make this a thing, and this can be a job and I can continue to play after school. I think I was just focused on this four years really, and then when I during Penn State, you know, at at school, after getting recruited and accepting and going there, I then realized quickly, okay, I'm you know, I need to catch up because these these players are better than me.

So when I entered school. I think that was when WUSA had just folded, maybe in two thousand and three. Unfortunately, I was so looking forward to just having an experience and possibly dreaming of playing professionally. At that time, I was just worried about going to school, attending school and being a student athlete and succeeding there. So I don't know if my thoughts were, oh, I can actually make this a thing, and this can be a job and I can continue to play after school. I think I was just focused on this four years really, and then when I during Penn State, you know, at at school, after getting recruited and accepting and going there, I then realized quickly, okay, I'm you know, I need to catch up because these these players are better than me.

They're faster. This is a different game, just the speed of.

They're faster. This is a different game, just the speed of.

Play, it was different, and so I had to really adjust and figure out, you know, how to kind of make my way into the team and really, I guess separate myself and in a way that it was difficult for the coaches to ignore me so that I would play and that I would you know, be seen and then get better. Ultimately, I always think though, when you do you know, play with better players, and you put yourself in situations where people are better than you, then you obviously get better yourself.

Play, it was different, and so I had to really adjust and figure out, you know, how to kind of make my way into the team and really, I guess separate myself and in a way that it was difficult for the coaches to ignore me so that I would play and that I would you know, be seen and then get better. Ultimately, I always think though, when you do you know, play with better players, and you put yourself in situations where people are better than you, then you obviously get better yourself.

And so that was kind of the situation for me.

And so that was kind of the situation for me.

So I was lucky that the players around me were that good because it just made me better. And I started to recognize after I guess getting you know, big time Freshmen of the year, getting certain accolades, and us winning as a team. You know, we won four Big Ten championships, we got you know, we were number one, ranked number one in the nation. My junior year, got to you know, the Elite eight and the Final four, so I knew that, you know, I was helping the team be successful in a way. So I think at that point I was hoping that we would have a new league. I was a bit nervous going into my junior senior year, like what now, what am I going to do now? And what are the options for me? Luckily, I made the U twenty three national team my senior year, and I was a bit late. I was a late bloomer actually with the national team, which was also fine because I gained a lot of tools that I think I needed during college in order to stay there. So I was happy about that, but but I was definitely late. And I was fortunate enough to kind of have that outside of school because it kind of opened up the next door, which was playing professionally overseas.

So I was lucky that the players around me were that good because it just made me better. And I started to recognize after I guess getting you know, big time Freshmen of the year, getting certain accolades, and us winning as a team. You know, we won four Big Ten championships, we got you know, we were number one, ranked number one in the nation. My junior year, got to you know, the Elite eight and the Final four, so I knew that, you know, I was helping the team be successful in a way. So I think at that point I was hoping that we would have a new league. I was a bit nervous going into my junior senior year, like what now, what am I going to do now? And what are the options for me? Luckily, I made the U twenty three national team my senior year, and I was a bit late. I was a late bloomer actually with the national team, which was also fine because I gained a lot of tools that I think I needed during college in order to stay there. So I was happy about that, but but I was definitely late. And I was fortunate enough to kind of have that outside of school because it kind of opened up the next door, which was playing professionally overseas.

So what did players usually do at that point when there was no US league? Because I mean the national team, like the US women's soccer team has been well known for a long time, and there was just no place within the US for players to play.

So what did players usually do at that point when there was no US league? Because I mean the national team, like the US women's soccer team has been well known for a long time, and there was just no place within the US for players to play.

Like, what did they usually do?

Like, what did they usually do?

Yeah, so either you would go overseas and play and find a team and another league, or you would be with the national team already, so you would be in residency with the national team. And if you weren't in residency, then you were kind of like, you know, just on your own. You just had to go figure it out. And I didn't want to just play pick up with my guy friends or myigh school on Tuesdays and Thursday evenings and hope.

Yeah, so either you would go overseas and play and find a team and another league, or you would be with the national team already, so you would be in residency with the national team. And if you weren't in residency, then you were kind of like, you know, just on your own. You just had to go figure it out. And I didn't want to just play pick up with my guy friends or myigh school on Tuesdays and Thursday evenings and hope.

To make it to the next level.

To make it to the next level.

So I kind of took it upon myself to agree to come try out for a couple of teams overseas. And I had met an agent who was German American and he actually was helping one of my dad's former players, male players who was playing in the second Bundesliga over in Germany, and I had a tournament in Finland, in Busse of Finland. It was the right after I graduated, and it was the summer right before, you know. I kind of had to plan what was next, and luckily European coaches saw me at the tournament and we actually won the tournament against Germany in the final. And I get a call from this German American Asian and you said, hey, I have a couple teams that would love for you to come play. There's one in Sweden, there's also two in Germany. Would you be willing to come try out? I said, well, yeah, I have nothing else.

So I kind of took it upon myself to agree to come try out for a couple of teams overseas. And I had met an agent who was German American and he actually was helping one of my dad's former players, male players who was playing in the second Bundesliga over in Germany, and I had a tournament in Finland, in Busse of Finland. It was the right after I graduated, and it was the summer right before, you know. I kind of had to plan what was next, and luckily European coaches saw me at the tournament and we actually won the tournament against Germany in the final. And I get a call from this German American Asian and you said, hey, I have a couple teams that would love for you to come play. There's one in Sweden, there's also two in Germany. Would you be willing to come try out? I said, well, yeah, I have nothing else.

To do, you know, and I have going on here and nothing else.

To do, you know, and I have going on here and nothing else.

Going on here, and I want to continue to make it to the full national team, so that the only way to do that is to put myself in a position to get better one and to be seen. And that was the decision I made. I just literally packed two bags, I said bye to my family. I trusted in Brian Eilert, who you know helped me overseas, and so there today helping a lot of young players thrive and get what they deserve. So I was lucky that he hadn't been that phone call because I ended up staying with him and his wife, Margaretta and their daughter Kimberly, who I became just really close with, and they were like my family there. So I was very lucky that I landed, you know, within their family, and they helped guide in me and I tried out for two weeks at Frankfurt.

Going on here, and I want to continue to make it to the full national team, so that the only way to do that is to put myself in a position to get better one and to be seen. And that was the decision I made. I just literally packed two bags, I said bye to my family. I trusted in Brian Eilert, who you know helped me overseas, and so there today helping a lot of young players thrive and get what they deserve. So I was lucky that he hadn't been that phone call because I ended up staying with him and his wife, Margaretta and their daughter Kimberly, who I became just really close with, and they were like my family there. So I was very lucky that I landed, you know, within their family, and they helped guide in me and I tried out for two weeks at Frankfurt.

I show up and there's like, so you skipped your college graduation, right.

I show up and there's like, so you skipped your college graduation, right.

Yeah, I just give my college graduation to go to a camp. Well, I walked off the stage onto the airplane. I literally said thank you very much.

Yeah, I just give my college graduation to go to a camp. Well, I walked off the stage onto the airplane. I literally said thank you very much.

Fun State.

Fun State.

My family ate actually dinner without me that night and I left it.

My family ate actually dinner without me that night and I left it.

They're like cheers to Ali. They're like, yeah, this is great, you know, thanks for bringing us together, Allie. Yeah, and I missed.

They're like cheers to Ali. They're like, yeah, this is great, you know, thanks for bringing us together, Allie. Yeah, and I missed.

I missed all the fun, but but then it led me to my dream job.

I missed all the fun, but but then it led me to my dream job.

So I was really grateful for that opportunity.

So I was really grateful for that opportunity.

And I ended up playing on one of the best teams, if not the best team at the time in the Bundeslig.

And I ended up playing on one of the best teams, if not the best team at the time in the Bundeslig.

And I didn't even know. I wasn't even aware of that going over.

And I didn't even know. I wasn't even aware of that going over.

I just agreed to just go play and have fun and experience something new overseas.

I just agreed to just go play and have fun and experience something new overseas.

Germany is kind of a wild choice for somebody who does not speak German.

Germany is kind of a wild choice for somebody who does not speak German.

How difficult was that transition for you? It was very difficult. My family, you know, my dad's side of the family is German. The language obviously got lost within the family, and my last.

How difficult was that transition for you? It was very difficult. My family, you know, my dad's side of the family is German. The language obviously got lost within the family, and my last.

Name is German. It means warrior in German.

Name is German. It means warrior in German.

So I figured it was like a safe space for me to go. I felt comfortable in trying it out, and I knew that if it didn't work out and I was that unhappy, I could always come back. I could always come home and you know, start over and just figure out what would be next.

So I figured it was like a safe space for me to go. I felt comfortable in trying it out, and I knew that if it didn't work out and I was that unhappy, I could always come back. I could always come home and you know, start over and just figure out what would be next.

So I just took that risk. I took the chance.

So I just took that risk. I took the chance.

It was very difficult, you know, learning a new culture, new language, new way of life. It was a beautiful place, though the architecture is amazing. You have to have a lot of thick skin because you know, Germans are very raw, very honest, and they tell you the truth and you have to be willing to you know, receive that. And so that was difficult for me because even playing on the field, I'm used to having teammates.

It was very difficult, you know, learning a new culture, new language, new way of life. It was a beautiful place, though the architecture is amazing. You have to have a lot of thick skin because you know, Germans are very raw, very honest, and they tell you the truth and you have to be willing to you know, receive that. And so that was difficult for me because even playing on the field, I'm used to having teammates.

Even if I kicked the ball out of bounds, You're like.

Even if I kicked the ball out of bounds, You're like.

All right, Elli, next, try next, try right, But I would get yelled at is that you know, we're the case and there wasn't any purpose in the past, and and or maybe I shot it out for you know, a throw in, they would just be like, what are you doing?

All right, Elli, next, try next, try right, But I would get yelled at is that you know, we're the case and there wasn't any purpose in the past, and and or maybe I shot it out for you know, a throw in, they would just be like, what are you doing?

Like it's not good enough?

Like it's not good enough?

And but ultimately, whether that hurt or not, it helped me in the long run.

And but ultimately, whether that hurt or not, it helped me in the long run.

It helped me become better.

It helped me become better.

And I grew to really receive criticism well as best I could and then try to apply just being better the next the next training session or the next game. And so I was grateful for that, but it was very difficult the first three months.

And I grew to really receive criticism well as best I could and then try to apply just being better the next the next training session or the next game. And so I was grateful for that, but it was very difficult the first three months.

I was I remember cry.

I was I remember cry.

I cried after one training session and I was like, what am I doing here?

I cried after one training session and I was like, what am I doing here?

This is like not for me. I'm not as happy as I thought.

This is like not for me. I'm not as happy as I thought.

I don't know if I can do this the rest of I signed for two years, so I was like, I don't know if I could do this. I can always go home, but I'd have to break the contract. But let me go home for Christmas, see the family, and then I'll reevaluate for the spring part of the season.

I don't know if I can do this the rest of I signed for two years, so I was like, I don't know if I could do this. I can always go home, but I'd have to break the contract. But let me go home for Christmas, see the family, and then I'll reevaluate for the spring part of the season.

Well, I get.

Well, I get.

I actually went home and I missed it immediately. I was like, I, actually I really really found that I loved it there, and I loved just the self discovery that I was going through and like learning a new perspective about life, but also just learning a lot about myself as a woman and a person and a footballer. So that was a little bit of self discovery. I think that's what I was scared of. Maybe I was unveiling, like and unlayering just myself and that I was like the vulnerability aspect of everything, I think is what maybe I was. I had a fear of that and kind of confronting that, and so after that was you know, I kind of went through that phase. I was more open to going back into really continuing that journey.

I actually went home and I missed it immediately. I was like, I, actually I really really found that I loved it there, and I loved just the self discovery that I was going through and like learning a new perspective about life, but also just learning a lot about myself as a woman and a person and a footballer. So that was a little bit of self discovery. I think that's what I was scared of. Maybe I was unveiling, like and unlayering just myself and that I was like the vulnerability aspect of everything, I think is what maybe I was. I had a fear of that and kind of confronting that, and so after that was you know, I kind of went through that phase. I was more open to going back into really continuing that journey.

Do you think you ended up in this self discovery because you were so alone?

Do you think you ended up in this self discovery because you were so alone?

It did?

It did?

It did, And I had to really sit with myself and try not to feel lonely, right because I feel like when you're okay, that means you can really sit with yourself and not feel lonely. So I had to kind of get to that point and do a little bit of self discovery because I was leaving a four year college, you know, friends and family. I was literally by myself and I was just unsure of the people, the culture, the food, the place. And I did have help with you know, my agent at the time, Brian and his lovely wife and daughter, which I felt like they were then my family, so I kind of had that advantage. I felt really safe with them, and so I would go out and do things with them as a family and go to dinners and they would introduce me to new places in Germany, and just the idea of living in a new city was really comforting because I knew that I knew that I had their support, and so I think that was what was easy, and then I met a lot of friends. I took German three times, three times a week, three hours a day because we didn't train until four in the afternoon, because a lot of the players had to work, so they had a normal job, and then they would come.

It did, And I had to really sit with myself and try not to feel lonely, right because I feel like when you're okay, that means you can really sit with yourself and not feel lonely. So I had to kind of get to that point and do a little bit of self discovery because I was leaving a four year college, you know, friends and family. I was literally by myself and I was just unsure of the people, the culture, the food, the place. And I did have help with you know, my agent at the time, Brian and his lovely wife and daughter, which I felt like they were then my family, so I kind of had that advantage. I felt really safe with them, and so I would go out and do things with them as a family and go to dinners and they would introduce me to new places in Germany, and just the idea of living in a new city was really comforting because I knew that I knew that I had their support, and so I think that was what was easy, and then I met a lot of friends. I took German three times, three times a week, three hours a day because we didn't train until four in the afternoon, because a lot of the players had to work, so they had a normal job, and then they would come.

To training in the evening.

To training in the evening.

One of the best and even national team players would have to go and work and then come to training, so it was a full day and I would take that time to learn German with other classmates who were from all around the world, and our common language was German, and so we were able to speak that in class, and then I would speak it at training, and then I would go home and I would be like, I'm so tired, Like I mentally drained because all I've been hearing and listening to and speaking is German and it's just not, you know, my native tongue. And it was difficult for me through that period, but I think I had to sit with myself and really go through that vulnerability phase. And once I went through that, I was more comfortable and who I was becoming.

One of the best and even national team players would have to go and work and then come to training, so it was a full day and I would take that time to learn German with other classmates who were from all around the world, and our common language was German, and so we were able to speak that in class, and then I would speak it at training, and then I would go home and I would be like, I'm so tired, Like I mentally drained because all I've been hearing and listening to and speaking is German and it's just not, you know, my native tongue. And it was difficult for me through that period, but I think I had to sit with myself and really go through that vulnerability phase. And once I went through that, I was more comfortable and who I was becoming.

And you had a long term boyfriend in college. Did that end because you left? Or it just sort of ran its course? Like was that also part of the loneliness there? Yeah, actually it ran its course.

And you had a long term boyfriend in college. Did that end because you left? Or it just sort of ran its course? Like was that also part of the loneliness there? Yeah, actually it ran its course.

But also I was wanting to go play overseas, but you know, we were leaving school and it was just kind of everything was just like up in the air, and he was going to med school down a University of Florida, and I didn't want to follow and just you know, settle for that. I really wanted to pursue my dream and then I needed to do some self discovery. I had a lot to figure out at the time, especially you know, figuring out my sexuality and really, you know who I wanted to be and who I really was deep down, and I was grateful that I had left, not that I was running from something, because I did sit and think about that.

But also I was wanting to go play overseas, but you know, we were leaving school and it was just kind of everything was just like up in the air, and he was going to med school down a University of Florida, and I didn't want to follow and just you know, settle for that. I really wanted to pursue my dream and then I needed to do some self discovery. I had a lot to figure out at the time, especially you know, figuring out my sexuality and really, you know who I wanted to be and who I really was deep down, and I was grateful that I had left, not that I was running from something, because I did sit and think about that.

I said, what am I running from? This?

I said, what am I running from? This?

Is this why I'm here? Why am I choosing to do this? You know, my parents obviously went through a divorce as well, and I didn't really have a lot at home at the time I was. I was kind of just figuring out life. And once I kind of landed in Europe and in Germany, I felt like it was my second home. I felt like this, this is right, this is where I'm supposed to be because I'm supposed to be forced to figure out who I really am.

Is this why I'm here? Why am I choosing to do this? You know, my parents obviously went through a divorce as well, and I didn't really have a lot at home at the time I was. I was kind of just figuring out life. And once I kind of landed in Europe and in Germany, I felt like it was my second home. I felt like this, this is right, this is where I'm supposed to be because I'm supposed to be forced to figure out who I really am.

Do you think part of that was tied to exploring your sexuality and sexual orientation? Like did you think that like oh am, I as your self discovering, Like oh am, I running to a whole new continent to be able to explore if I want to be dating women.

Do you think part of that was tied to exploring your sexuality and sexual orientation? Like did you think that like oh am, I as your self discovering, Like oh am, I running to a whole new continent to be able to explore if I want to be dating women.

Yes, And I think at the end of college, which is why I think my ex and I during school had issues because I was doing a little self discovery there my sexuality and not really understanding why I felt a certain way towards, you know, women, but also just everyone.

Yes, And I think at the end of college, which is why I think my ex and I during school had issues because I was doing a little self discovery there my sexuality and not really understanding why I felt a certain way towards, you know, women, but also just everyone.

I had this attraction towards women.

I had this attraction towards women.

And I wasn't really sure of why, because when growing up, I never realized that two women could be together. My brother came out to me when he was a senior in high school, and so I had thought only men could be together, which is so naive of me now looking back, it's like, but that's how sad the visibility was for our community back when I was, you know, in high school. It just wasn't you know, I just wasn't aware, and it wasn't as in my face and invisible and relatable, and I felt confused. And so I think towards the end of school, understanding that oh maybe some of my teammates were dating or other athletes within the university were dating of the same sex, I was like, oh, this could be a thing, like this is this is nice because I'm actually like, oh, okay. There was like lights going off in my mind just huh, this is why I'm feeling the way I'm feeling, and this is this is really exciting, And so yeah, that was a bit attached to the part of self discovering and sexuality, and then I went to Germany. I felt like, oh, I'm kind of free to be who I want to be. And that time period, those five and a half years, was really a period of me figuring out.

And I wasn't really sure of why, because when growing up, I never realized that two women could be together. My brother came out to me when he was a senior in high school, and so I had thought only men could be together, which is so naive of me now looking back, it's like, but that's how sad the visibility was for our community back when I was, you know, in high school. It just wasn't you know, I just wasn't aware, and it wasn't as in my face and invisible and relatable, and I felt confused. And so I think towards the end of school, understanding that oh maybe some of my teammates were dating or other athletes within the university were dating of the same sex, I was like, oh, this could be a thing, like this is this is nice because I'm actually like, oh, okay. There was like lights going off in my mind just huh, this is why I'm feeling the way I'm feeling, and this is this is really exciting, And so yeah, that was a bit attached to the part of self discovering and sexuality, and then I went to Germany. I felt like, oh, I'm kind of free to be who I want to be. And that time period, those five and a half years, was really a period of me figuring out.

You know, my sexuality and really who I was as a woman. When we come back, Ali talks about what it was like leaving behind the life she built in Germany and coming to play stateside. Now back to the show, So was it then hard to make the decision to come play back in the US club to leave Germany.

You know, my sexuality and really who I was as a woman. When we come back, Ali talks about what it was like leaving behind the life she built in Germany and coming to play stateside. Now back to the show, So was it then hard to make the decision to come play back in the US club to leave Germany.

It was I was somewhat forced to do that actually from US Soccer, to come back and to really help the league survive. So unfortunately, I was told that I, you know, would lose my US Soccer contracts if I didn't come back to play in the NIBS. At the time, and I was actually preparing with a few other American players, I was basically just on a short term loan and I was in Sweden playing for Tater So we were playing actually planning to go back in the January for preseason. I went home in December and then I just ended up never going back because I was somewhat forced to stay in the NBA Sun, not that I didn't want to play, but because we were in Champions League and we were doing very well. We were in the quarterfinals, and then they, obviously without us, went to the semi finals and then the final, and they ended up losing in the final, but last minute they had to find players to replace a few of us, And it was unfortunate because I wanted to play and finish out what I had started with that team, and it was probably one of the best teams I've ever played on and just football wise, like the talent was amazing, and I was really sad that I had to kind of choose between Champions League, you know, finishing out and I would have come in May, but the season and the preseason I think had started at that time in March, and so it just wasn't a possibility. And I wasn't willing to give up my national team contract and kind of go through that and lose out on that. I was really scared to do that. So, yes, there was an ending, and it was unfortunate, but also a brilliant beginning to the league and to really be a part of that and one of the ones who helped start the league in the United States is pretty incredible too.

It was I was somewhat forced to do that actually from US Soccer, to come back and to really help the league survive. So unfortunately, I was told that I, you know, would lose my US Soccer contracts if I didn't come back to play in the NIBS. At the time, and I was actually preparing with a few other American players, I was basically just on a short term loan and I was in Sweden playing for Tater So we were playing actually planning to go back in the January for preseason. I went home in December and then I just ended up never going back because I was somewhat forced to stay in the NBA Sun, not that I didn't want to play, but because we were in Champions League and we were doing very well. We were in the quarterfinals, and then they, obviously without us, went to the semi finals and then the final, and they ended up losing in the final, but last minute they had to find players to replace a few of us, And it was unfortunate because I wanted to play and finish out what I had started with that team, and it was probably one of the best teams I've ever played on and just football wise, like the talent was amazing, and I was really sad that I had to kind of choose between Champions League, you know, finishing out and I would have come in May, but the season and the preseason I think had started at that time in March, and so it just wasn't a possibility. And I wasn't willing to give up my national team contract and kind of go through that and lose out on that. I was really scared to do that. So, yes, there was an ending, and it was unfortunate, but also a brilliant beginning to the league and to really be a part of that and one of the ones who helped start the league in the United States is pretty incredible too.

Yeah, I don't think people realize that the league has kind of gone for fluctuation, like it hasn't always existed. The national team did maintain and you were a part of it, so that really had been kind of the goal for you. I mean, can you talk about like when you first got to national team camp that got called up to the national team.

Yeah, I don't think people realize that the league has kind of gone for fluctuation, like it hasn't always existed. The national team did maintain and you were a part of it, so that really had been kind of the goal for you. I mean, can you talk about like when you first got to national team camp that got called up to the national team.

Yeah, I was actually playing in Germany and Pias Sundaga at the time was just signing on as the new US women's national team coach after Greg Ryan left and.

Yeah, I was actually playing in Germany and Pias Sundaga at the time was just signing on as the new US women's national team coach after Greg Ryan left and.

She comes in.

She comes in.

My agent actually had written her and said, hey, there's also an American player playing for f FC Frankfurt and they're playing Potsdam this weekend if you want to come and check it out, because you know, Lara Biermai is, you know, playing on Potsdam and it's you know, one of the best German national team forwards to ever play on the on the team and within the Bundesliga, I mean even in the world. And I was defending at the time still at right back, and I was going up against her basically one v one, and so I think Pio wanted to come see how good I was because that was going to be a great test. So she comes to the game and I actually ended up playing really well fortunately, and she saw the game and was very impressed and knew that playing against Lera Bairom I wasn't an easy feet and so I was lucky that, you know, it just kind of played out the way that it was it was supposed to. And she invited me into that January camp because this was towards the end of the fall season, and she invited me into that camp and it was actually the I think it was two thousand and eight or yeah, it was like end of two thousand and eight because we were prepping. They were prepping for the Olympics, so I knew it was be a tough job joining halfway through the last you know, few months prepping for the Olympics. So I don't know if I was really going to be able to make that squad, but I ended up going to China with the team and making it because Heather MIT's at the time, I think, was injured and so that was kind of like my way in and I think I, you know, did well enough to impress the coaches and so I was able to kind of keep myself in the back of her mind for future camps. I unfortunately got injured in two thousand and nine, so I didn't make it back to the team and they didn't take me to the Olympics. I was an alternate, but that was okay because that was just an achievement all in itself that I was. I was possibly in the squad. So then I got injured in two thousand and nine, and then I got, you know, called back up in twenty ten, and then obviously that was in preparation for a World Cup twenty eleven.

My agent actually had written her and said, hey, there's also an American player playing for f FC Frankfurt and they're playing Potsdam this weekend if you want to come and check it out, because you know, Lara Biermai is, you know, playing on Potsdam and it's you know, one of the best German national team forwards to ever play on the on the team and within the Bundesliga, I mean even in the world. And I was defending at the time still at right back, and I was going up against her basically one v one, and so I think Pio wanted to come see how good I was because that was going to be a great test. So she comes to the game and I actually ended up playing really well fortunately, and she saw the game and was very impressed and knew that playing against Lera Bairom I wasn't an easy feet and so I was lucky that, you know, it just kind of played out the way that it was it was supposed to. And she invited me into that January camp because this was towards the end of the fall season, and she invited me into that camp and it was actually the I think it was two thousand and eight or yeah, it was like end of two thousand and eight because we were prepping. They were prepping for the Olympics, so I knew it was be a tough job joining halfway through the last you know, few months prepping for the Olympics. So I don't know if I was really going to be able to make that squad, but I ended up going to China with the team and making it because Heather MIT's at the time, I think, was injured and so that was kind of like my way in and I think I, you know, did well enough to impress the coaches and so I was able to kind of keep myself in the back of her mind for future camps. I unfortunately got injured in two thousand and nine, so I didn't make it back to the team and they didn't take me to the Olympics. I was an alternate, but that was okay because that was just an achievement all in itself that I was. I was possibly in the squad. So then I got injured in two thousand and nine, and then I got, you know, called back up in twenty ten, and then obviously that was in preparation for a World Cup twenty eleven.

I can only imagine the feeling of walking onto a field to represent your entire country, being the best in the entire nation, being the best in the entire world, having competed in the World Cup and the Olympics. At least is going to tell us all about it right after the break.

I can only imagine the feeling of walking onto a field to represent your entire country, being the best in the entire nation, being the best in the entire world, having competed in the World Cup and the Olympics. At least is going to tell us all about it right after the break.

Now back to the show.

Now back to the show.

Give us a little insight into what that feels like to be a player going in to represent your country.

Give us a little insight into what that feels like to be a player going in to represent your country.

It's an incredible feeling because it's something you work for your entire life and there's only a certain amount of players who get to do that, and out of you know, for World Cup, it's twenty three players, but for Olympics it's eighteen, and you think. You sit there after you're chosen and you're like, wow, I am one of the best eighteen players in the entire country. You know, if there's so many people interviewing for one position, Yeah, we have eleven on the field, but you know, you have eighteen positions because I think game changes are also some of the most important players a team can have. You have eighteen, you know, spots that you can possibly make and make one of those. And there's thousands of players trying to make this team, hundreds of thousands, I should say, in the country playing soccer, and you're one of them, and you've worked your entire life, and you just kind of your whole path kind of starts to go in your mind. Right, I start to think of like, my whole entire path that has has gotten me to that point, and it's pretty incredible to sit there and think, this is what I dreamt of when I was eleven years old watching the US national team play in the Women's World Cup in ninety nine and wanting to be that and looking at you know, those those players and my idols and heroes, you know, performing and playing the sport that I absolutely love and I'm so passionate about to now, you know, I guess I should say eleven twelve years later being called in to perform for my country and to fight for gold medal. That's just you can't really put it into words, like the type of feeling that is just so rewarding because you put on that jersey and you're not only representing yourself or your family or friends, You're representing our entire country and people who are loving the sport just as much as we are, and that just gives you that much more motivation. So you feel a little pressure obviously, but you trust yourself enough that you know that you're good enough to be there.

It's an incredible feeling because it's something you work for your entire life and there's only a certain amount of players who get to do that, and out of you know, for World Cup, it's twenty three players, but for Olympics it's eighteen, and you think. You sit there after you're chosen and you're like, wow, I am one of the best eighteen players in the entire country. You know, if there's so many people interviewing for one position, Yeah, we have eleven on the field, but you know, you have eighteen positions because I think game changes are also some of the most important players a team can have. You have eighteen, you know, spots that you can possibly make and make one of those. And there's thousands of players trying to make this team, hundreds of thousands, I should say, in the country playing soccer, and you're one of them, and you've worked your entire life, and you just kind of your whole path kind of starts to go in your mind. Right, I start to think of like, my whole entire path that has has gotten me to that point, and it's pretty incredible to sit there and think, this is what I dreamt of when I was eleven years old watching the US national team play in the Women's World Cup in ninety nine and wanting to be that and looking at you know, those those players and my idols and heroes, you know, performing and playing the sport that I absolutely love and I'm so passionate about to now, you know, I guess I should say eleven twelve years later being called in to perform for my country and to fight for gold medal. That's just you can't really put it into words, like the type of feeling that is just so rewarding because you put on that jersey and you're not only representing yourself or your family or friends, You're representing our entire country and people who are loving the sport just as much as we are, and that just gives you that much more motivation. So you feel a little pressure obviously, but you trust yourself enough that you know that you're good enough to be there.

So all of that, you know, journey along the way.

So all of that, you know, journey along the way.

Has really prepared you for this to be on this team in this moment, And so I can't really put it into words and articulate it the way that I'm feeling about it, But it is just an exciting, rewarding feeling when you just put on that jersey and you.

Has really prepared you for this to be on this team in this moment, And so I can't really put it into words and articulate it the way that I'm feeling about it, But it is just an exciting, rewarding feeling when you just put on that jersey and you.

Walk out with your head hot high, you're ready to fight and win. I get chills hearing you talk about it.

Walk out with your head hot high, you're ready to fight and win. I get chills hearing you talk about it.

What surprised you about going to I guess both the Olympics and the World Cup.

What surprised you about going to I guess both the Olympics and the World Cup.

I think the team camaraderie all of a sudden with a national team, it's a bloodbath camp in and camp out. Every camp you are fighting, clawing and scratching each other to get onto this team and make the squad. And at the time I was on the team, we were fighting for contracts. So every January would come around and there's only twenty six maybe contracts that are given out, and there's different tiers, and so you had to really prove yourself and you there wasn't a moment you could take a breath. You have to perform your best every single day, even at a meal. You have to be on time. You have to look your best. You have to, you know, the way you present yourself day in and day out really matters. And it's you know, it's exhausting at the end of it, but it's once you make the team and you fight every day, it's so worth it. And what surprised me was the team camaraderie. All of a sudden, Once you make the team, you come together and you are supporting each other until the very ends, like you are fighting for each other on the field, it's no longer against each other. It's now we are it. This is we need each other to survive, and we need each other to win, and we need each other to make you know, make each other look good.

I think the team camaraderie all of a sudden with a national team, it's a bloodbath camp in and camp out. Every camp you are fighting, clawing and scratching each other to get onto this team and make the squad. And at the time I was on the team, we were fighting for contracts. So every January would come around and there's only twenty six maybe contracts that are given out, and there's different tiers, and so you had to really prove yourself and you there wasn't a moment you could take a breath. You have to perform your best every single day, even at a meal. You have to be on time. You have to look your best. You have to, you know, the way you present yourself day in and day out really matters. And it's you know, it's exhausting at the end of it, but it's once you make the team and you fight every day, it's so worth it. And what surprised me was the team camaraderie. All of a sudden, Once you make the team, you come together and you are supporting each other until the very ends, like you are fighting for each other on the field, it's no longer against each other. It's now we are it. This is we need each other to survive, and we need each other to win, and we need each other to make you know, make each other look good.

And this is it. This is who we.

And this is it. This is who we.

Have in this room and in this group is how we're going to win the goal medal. And so you start to confide in each other, not that you didn't before, but in a different way. It's just a bond that you know, you can't really describe unless you're physically there and you've been there to understand it. But you come together as a group, whereas just you're in this bubble. Your main focus and your main goal is to win and succeed, and how can you help each other do that? And how can you help each other look your best and perform your best and be successful together so that at the end of the day we can come home and bring this trophy.

Have in this room and in this group is how we're going to win the goal medal. And so you start to confide in each other, not that you didn't before, but in a different way. It's just a bond that you know, you can't really describe unless you're physically there and you've been there to understand it. But you come together as a group, whereas just you're in this bubble. Your main focus and your main goal is to win and succeed, and how can you help each other do that? And how can you help each other look your best and perform your best and be successful together so that at the end of the day we can come home and bring this trophy.

Yeah, a couple of years into being on the national team, you guys kind of broke up, like they just stopped calling m How can I mean, can you give a little more contact with that? But also how confusing must that have felt for you? Yeah, it was It was kind of like.

Yeah, a couple of years into being on the national team, you guys kind of broke up, like they just stopped calling m How can I mean, can you give a little more contact with that? But also how confusing must that have felt for you? Yeah, it was It was kind of like.

A relationship where you don't have clothes and you break up and then you just don't know the reason why. And I know that's uncomfortable for anyone, because I'm the type of person that's like, okay, give me, give me a reason, and I'm ready to work at it, and I'm ready to be better.

A relationship where you don't have clothes and you break up and then you just don't know the reason why. And I know that's uncomfortable for anyone, because I'm the type of person that's like, okay, give me, give me a reason, and I'm ready to work at it, and I'm ready to be better.

If it works, great, if.

If it works, great, if.

It doesn't, great, at least I'm going to continue to work on myself and in order to hopefully have the next relationship be more successful. But I never received that information. It was just in twenty seventeen, was my last camp, and I just got a call that said, hey, we're wanting to, you know, call in a lot of you know, younger players and give them an opportunity and that's just kind of what we're going to do. And that was it, and I said okay. And this was after basically winning a World Cup, holding you know, teams from scoring a goal. I started every game and played almost every minute or if not every minute, and we held a team for like five hundred and some minutes, you know, from s or in a goal. And then you go to Olympics and then they change the entire like back line and a just personnel only a year later, which I'm still pretty confused about because we lost and I was really upset about that, and then you know, getting fired in twenty seventeen. It just really wasn't sure why. I was never given the reasons, so then I had to go back to the drawing board without really any information. So I would ask a lot of other coaches around, hey, what do you see in my game that I can improve on? Because I want to get back to the national team. I want to make it very difficult for them to ignore me, Like I see that I'm still useful there. I see that I can help the team. I see that I'm still one of the best defenders in the country and in the world. And I wasn't afraid to say that because I knew that at the time that I was just really confused, and so I kind of took.

It doesn't, great, at least I'm going to continue to work on myself and in order to hopefully have the next relationship be more successful. But I never received that information. It was just in twenty seventeen, was my last camp, and I just got a call that said, hey, we're wanting to, you know, call in a lot of you know, younger players and give them an opportunity and that's just kind of what we're going to do. And that was it, and I said okay. And this was after basically winning a World Cup, holding you know, teams from scoring a goal. I started every game and played almost every minute or if not every minute, and we held a team for like five hundred and some minutes, you know, from s or in a goal. And then you go to Olympics and then they change the entire like back line and a just personnel only a year later, which I'm still pretty confused about because we lost and I was really upset about that, and then you know, getting fired in twenty seventeen. It just really wasn't sure why. I was never given the reasons, so then I had to go back to the drawing board without really any information. So I would ask a lot of other coaches around, hey, what do you see in my game that I can improve on? Because I want to get back to the national team. I want to make it very difficult for them to ignore me, Like I see that I'm still useful there. I see that I can help the team. I see that I'm still one of the best defenders in the country and in the world. And I wasn't afraid to say that because I knew that at the time that I was just really confused, and so I kind of took.

Whatever other coaches said I should work on.

Whatever other coaches said I should work on.

And I worked even harder individually, and I told myself, I'm going to be the alley kreaker, no matter what, whether that's on the national team, we're playing for club, I'm going to be the same player. So you're going to know what is expected of me and what you're going to get and the consistency and that confidence is always going to be there the leadership, no matter if I'm on the national team or not. That wasn't, you know, really going to affect me that much and affect my game. I was only going to get better because it was going to inspire me to want to fight and compete and be driven even more and more motivated to want to get back. And so I use that as a tool to really invest in myself and fight to really make it difficult for them not to call me in. By twenty nineteen World Cup, I said, this is what I'm going to do. This is how I'm going to do it. I had the resources, and so I just needed to have the motivation to want it for myself.

And I worked even harder individually, and I told myself, I'm going to be the alley kreaker, no matter what, whether that's on the national team, we're playing for club, I'm going to be the same player. So you're going to know what is expected of me and what you're going to get and the consistency and that confidence is always going to be there the leadership, no matter if I'm on the national team or not. That wasn't, you know, really going to affect me that much and affect my game. I was only going to get better because it was going to inspire me to want to fight and compete and be driven even more and more motivated to want to get back. And so I use that as a tool to really invest in myself and fight to really make it difficult for them not to call me in. By twenty nineteen World Cup, I said, this is what I'm going to do. This is how I'm going to do it. I had the resources, and so I just needed to have the motivation to want it for myself.

That's such a big mindset shift.

That's such a big mindset shift.

And you did it on like literally a national and international stage and in the public people could see whether you were on the team or not. But I think applies to a lot of people when they're thinking about changes in their careers.

And you did it on like literally a national and international stage and in the public people could see whether you were on the team or not. But I think applies to a lot of people when they're thinking about changes in their careers.

And I think a lot about how we change the metric of success.

And I think a lot about how we change the metric of success.

Yes, especially if the thing that we're going for is external to us, like if it's unavailable, then we can't have that as our metric of success anymore as someone else is controlling it. That was very much the case for you. So how did you change your thinking at that time? Like what kind of narratives were you telling yourself about what your metric for success was.

Yes, especially if the thing that we're going for is external to us, like if it's unavailable, then we can't have that as our metric of success anymore as someone else is controlling it. That was very much the case for you. So how did you change your thinking at that time? Like what kind of narratives were you telling yourself about what your metric for success was.

Then I wanted to win the nd Besel.

Then I wanted to win the nd Besel.

I wanted to continue to get better and perform well for my team to be successful. So I knew individually I had to lead by example and you know, help the younger players, because I knew if I helped the younger players, and it's going to help me win. So I knew that I had that responsibility as well, and I enjoyed that I took that on because I know how good I can be, and I was willing to kind of tidy up all the little details that I needed to that I assumed, you know, might not have been good enough to be on the national team anymore. That I went back to the drawing board and I worked my butt off every day and shout out to some coaches at home with Orlando, one being sub Hines who really helped me individually perfect my game as a defender, and he used to play on the men's team there. Now he obviously coaches Orlando and they're very successful at the moment, but he would come out with me multiple times a week just to train, mean more specifically in the off season, to really get me to where I wanted to be. And so I know, I credit some of my coaches there, and obviously the coaches who were coaching Orlando at the time, Tom Cermani and then Mark Skinner, who really helped me get back to where I wanted to be in order to be seen and perform well. So then I eventually did get the call, and Joe called me during preseason I think in twenty nineteen, and it was only a few months before the World Cup, where I knew it was probably very difficult for them to call me back because originally she was the one who had let me go. And I was just somewhat waiting for that call, to be honest, because I knew that I could help the team, and I knew that I was in a position to play well and to be there, and I knew how good I was at the time, and there was no question in my mind that I might, you know, have another.

I wanted to continue to get better and perform well for my team to be successful. So I knew individually I had to lead by example and you know, help the younger players, because I knew if I helped the younger players, and it's going to help me win. So I knew that I had that responsibility as well, and I enjoyed that I took that on because I know how good I can be, and I was willing to kind of tidy up all the little details that I needed to that I assumed, you know, might not have been good enough to be on the national team anymore. That I went back to the drawing board and I worked my butt off every day and shout out to some coaches at home with Orlando, one being sub Hines who really helped me individually perfect my game as a defender, and he used to play on the men's team there. Now he obviously coaches Orlando and they're very successful at the moment, but he would come out with me multiple times a week just to train, mean more specifically in the off season, to really get me to where I wanted to be. And so I know, I credit some of my coaches there, and obviously the coaches who were coaching Orlando at the time, Tom Cermani and then Mark Skinner, who really helped me get back to where I wanted to be in order to be seen and perform well. So then I eventually did get the call, and Joe called me during preseason I think in twenty nineteen, and it was only a few months before the World Cup, where I knew it was probably very difficult for them to call me back because originally she was the one who had let me go. And I was just somewhat waiting for that call, to be honest, because I knew that I could help the team, and I knew that I was in a position to play well and to be there, and I knew how good I was at the time, and there was no question in my mind that I might, you know, have another.

Opportunity at some point.

Opportunity at some point.

I wasn't sure when, and then two months before the World Cup, I get called, and then me thinking why would they ever call me back if they're not really going to put me back on the team and take me with them.

I wasn't sure when, and then two months before the World Cup, I get called, and then me thinking why would they ever call me back if they're not really going to put me back on the team and take me with them.

That would look stupid on their part. And I was.

That would look stupid on their part. And I was.

Very excited when I got the call. I had originally said, listen, I'm just focused on continuing to get better every day and to perform well, and whatever you need me to do, I'm willing to do. I don't want to rehash the past. I'm in a new space mentally, physically, emotionally, and I'm ready to just do what's asked to me and what you need me to apply individually and then for the team. So let me know what that is. And I am all in.

Very excited when I got the call. I had originally said, listen, I'm just focused on continuing to get better every day and to perform well, and whatever you need me to do, I'm willing to do. I don't want to rehash the past. I'm in a new space mentally, physically, emotionally, and I'm ready to just do what's asked to me and what you need me to apply individually and then for the team. So let me know what that is. And I am all in.

That's so healthy, Like I feel like I would really hold a much longer grudge, Like how did you get to that place?

That's so healthy, Like I feel like I would really hold a much longer grudge, Like how did you get to that place?

Secretly I did?

Secretly I did?

Secretly I did, but you know, I knew that it had a lot to do with me and very little to do with anyone else in the way that I felt like, I feel like forgiveness is more so for you than for the other person, and so I kind of carried that with me. You know, being upset and holding a grudge at that specific time wasn't really going to help me be.

Secretly I did, but you know, I knew that it had a lot to do with me and very little to do with anyone else in the way that I felt like, I feel like forgiveness is more so for you than for the other person, and so I kind of carried that with me. You know, being upset and holding a grudge at that specific time wasn't really going to help me be.

Successful and help the team.

Successful and help the team.

So I knew I had to kind of table that and then I can maybe come back to that at a later time. I think through therapy, I touch on it here and there, which has helped me be successful since then. And you know, I've gained tools to really help apply in those work workplaces, which is more specifically on field, you know, with sports psychology, to really help me stay focused in the moment and the task at hand.

So I knew I had to kind of table that and then I can maybe come back to that at a later time. I think through therapy, I touch on it here and there, which has helped me be successful since then. And you know, I've gained tools to really help apply in those work workplaces, which is more specifically on field, you know, with sports psychology, to really help me stay focused in the moment and the task at hand.

And I think I'm really good at compartmental life.

And I think I'm really good at compartmental life.

And so I you know, might rehash this out, you know, at a later date, but for right now and then it worked and it helped me and I just focused on you know, World Cup.

And so I you know, might rehash this out, you know, at a later date, but for right now and then it worked and it helped me and I just focused on you know, World Cup.

So at this time, you've now been in a relationship for some time, but you didn't disclose it publicly for a while, right, What was that decision? Why why not talk about it and then why switch to be more public about it?

So at this time, you've now been in a relationship for some time, but you didn't disclose it publicly for a while, right, What was that decision? Why why not talk about it and then why switch to be more public about it?

Yeah, we both actually were, you know, we met on the national team and we became quickly became best friends. And I was still playing in Germany, and so it's basically like a year of just staying in touch, maybe even like seven eight months to a year staying in touch until I really you know, felt like an emotional connection turned physical. And I was grateful for that friendship because it was also nice forming that in the space where I was really daunting emotionally, physically and mentally, that you you know, can have really great people to lean on because you need each other in those environments. And so, you know, I formed that bond and that turned into a really beautiful friendship and a foundation to you know, have a successful relationship. So moving on into you know, just national team stuff, I was I was afraid of losing our job. I was afraid that if we had come out and you know, said that we had a relationship within the workplace, that we would be cut because I was cut before from just absolutely no idea that I'm sure that if there was actually a reason that you know, maybe this could be a part two, you know, and so I wasn't willing to sacrifice that. So, you know, and it's such a difficult environment in the sense that you have to really focus on being your best and no other distractions really can kind of you've been or else you're not going to perform well and then ultimately not make the team. And so a lot of people don't understand the amount of stress and anxiety that you know, this environment creates for us as athletes, and it's almost to an unhealthy level. And you kind of start thinking about it once you're outside of it, more so than when.