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As a defender, how much ground I cover isn't up to me. I'm defending against a forward, so her movement determines my movement.
Becky Sauerbrunn
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A man's foot is wider, so when I would wear men's cleats, my foot would be sliding inside of it, so it's nice to be secure because then your body's not compensating, and you're not getting injuries.
Becky Sauerbrunn
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I know that I'm not the fastest or the strongest or the best in the air, so from a very early age, I had to be positionally sound, or I was going to get beat. So you just kind of learn as you grow.
Becky Sauerbrunn
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A lot of sport is being comfortable with being uncomfortable.
Becky Sauerbrunn
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I play for the America that embraces refugees from war-torn nations, for the America that welcomes all people who want the chance to experience the American Dream, for the America that appreciates the contributions from all the people it shelters.
Becky Sauerbrunn
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I've never been the tallest or the strongest or the fastest. But I'd like to think that I can read the game well enough, that I can position myself well enough, that I can level the playing field when it comes to physical differences. When it comes to height, whoever wants the ball more is going to win it.
Becky Sauerbrunn
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Defenders must be careful yet decisive when taking action.
Becky Sauerbrunn
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I kind of had to convince myself when I was playing for the Washington Freedom that this was the highest level that I'm going to reach. 'I'm going to be a professional player, and I'm going to try and be the best one I can be, but it's maybe just not in my cards to be an international player. I won't play in a World Cup.' That was hard for me.
Becky Sauerbrunn
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The way I play, it's very much more a mental game than a physical game. I'm looking for space and where are players leaving space. Defensively, where are we at numerical disadvantages? Do I shift more to the left because they have more players on their right side? It's about reading the game before the game happens.
Becky Sauerbrunn
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Although offensive play is important, it's defending that gets you titles.
Becky Sauerbrunn
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Even when matches don't work out the way you planned, you've always got to stay strong in defence; it's a matter of willpower and intelligence.
Becky Sauerbrunn
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When I started with the national team, it was made very clear I was going to be the backup to Christie Rampone and Rachel Buehler. So for the first few years, it was just me training my heart out and pushing those centerbacks to be the best they could be.
Becky Sauerbrunn
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Anytime that you're getting games in, you're going to get better.
Becky Sauerbrunn
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You think about the legacy that you leave behind, and I've been very fortunate to be part of a very successful team, but I think the fight for equal pay and respect is something that goes beyond the field. I think it is very important, something that I'm very willing to take on to help the generations that come behind me.
Becky Sauerbrunn
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The past doesn't matter. Take today.
Becky Sauerbrunn
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I've always been very hard on myself, and I never want to get to a point where I'm like, 'Alright, I'm kicking butt,' but I know I need to be confident because I think that will take my game to the next level.
Becky Sauerbrunn
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Winning the World Cup is definitely the highlight of my career. I thought the gold medal at the Olympics would peak it, but winning the World Cup, the reception... it's what we all dreamed of when we were little.
Becky Sauerbrunn
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When you have somebody like Christie Rampone, with the vast experience she has had, you're going to defer to her line because she has played in so many huge games, and she knows what she's talking about.
Becky Sauerbrunn
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We joke that St. Louis people love their own.
Becky Sauerbrunn
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Anything you train can be improved upon. If you do it over and over again, your body is going to remember these moves and not be surprised in the game.
Becky Sauerbrunn
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It's a rare treat to be able to play in front of friends and family.
Becky Sauerbrunn
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I always wanted to write a book. Not a romance novel. Maybe a crime thriller. Something with action. Maybe that will happen some day.
Becky Sauerbrunn
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Defenders don't really get any sort of notoriety or anything like that.
Becky Sauerbrunn
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The women's national team is a very successful team, and that success has given us a platform to speak on gender equity issues. Millions of young women play soccer in this country, and it's empowering for them to see that our contribution to the game is valued.
Becky Sauerbrunn
