May 14, 2025 • 54 mins
Episode 232 of the Women's World Football Show features an exclusive interview with Brooklyn FC midfielder Sam Kroeger, who discusses the exciting USL Super League season, her journey as a professional player, and the growing opportunities for young women in soccer. Sam shares her dynamic playing style and the team's resilience through challenges on and off the field.
That's not all! We share soundbites from Canada Women's National Team defender Desiree Scott announcing her retirement from international play. “The Destroyer” reflects on her career and her transition to the Northern Super League's Ottawa Rapids FC, looking forward to helping the growth of women's soccer in Canada. The episode captures the end of an era for Canadian international play and the beginning of a new chapter for Des Scott in club soccer!
Listen to Des Scott on Episode 123: https://wwfshow.com/2018/06/04/episode-123-desiree-scott/
More WWFShow Links:
Follow Women’s World Football Show on Facebook, Instagram, and our blog at wwfshowblog.com
Listen to Women’s World Football Show on Apple Podcasts, iHeart Radio, Spotify, Spreaker, TuneIn Radio, Castbox, Soundcloud, and direct from our website at www.WWFShow.com.
Original Broadcast Date: May 12, 2025
Women’s World Football Show is hosted, written, edited, and produced by Patty La Bella.
Additional assistance for this episode by Canada Soccer, Brooklyn FC, Sam Kroeger, and Zak Hawke
Women’s World Football Show website design and theme music by Patricia La Bella
Women’s World Football Show® is a registered trademark whose audio and logo cannot be used without written authorization.
That's not all! We share soundbites from Canada Women's National Team defender Desiree Scott announcing her retirement from international play. “The Destroyer” reflects on her career and her transition to the Northern Super League's Ottawa Rapids FC, looking forward to helping the growth of women's soccer in Canada. The episode captures the end of an era for Canadian international play and the beginning of a new chapter for Des Scott in club soccer!
Listen to Des Scott on Episode 123: https://wwfshow.com/2018/06/04/episode-123-desiree-scott/
More WWFShow Links:
Follow Women’s World Football Show on Facebook, Instagram, and our blog at wwfshowblog.com
Listen to Women’s World Football Show on Apple Podcasts, iHeart Radio, Spotify, Spreaker, TuneIn Radio, Castbox, Soundcloud, and direct from our website at www.WWFShow.com.
Original Broadcast Date: May 12, 2025
Women’s World Football Show is hosted, written, edited, and produced by Patty La Bella.
Additional assistance for this episode by Canada Soccer, Brooklyn FC, Sam Kroeger, and Zak Hawke
Women’s World Football Show website design and theme music by Patricia La Bella
Women’s World Football Show® is a registered trademark whose audio and logo cannot be used without written authorization.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:10):
Hey, everybody, welcome to another exciting episode of Women's World
Football Show. I'm your host, Patty. How are you doing.
I hope you're doing great. I hope that your life's
treating you well. And I also hope and I know
that you're gonna say, oh, you're gonna say this again.
I hope that you're enjoying all the women's soccer going
off right now. I say that every show, but on
this show particularly, I couldn't find another way to say it.
(00:33):
I was kept saying, hmm, I keep saying the same thing,
but it's so true. And did you know that we
have two new professional women's soccer leagues playing in North
America right now as we speak. It's true. We have
the Northern Super League up in Canada, and also here
in the United States we have the USL Super League,
which is just wrapping up. It's been such an exciting season.
(00:56):
And we have dynamic player from Brooklyn FC, the great
midfielder Sam Krueger, is here to talk about Brooklyn, talk
about the league, talk about all the stuff going on
in Brooklyn and what it's like to play there, and
so much more. Plus she's got such an interesting backstory
it's very unusual. You know, I've interviewed I don't know,
(01:18):
hundreds of players over the year. Since she's this is
a very unusual backst I've never heard one like this before,
so you'll want to stay tuned for that. Plus, she's
such a she's such a dynamic player. Just love watching
her play. She's like winning balls that she shouldn't win.
She's playing both sides of the ball, defense in office.
I mean, she's just so much fun to watch and
(01:40):
of course the consummate playmaker. Almost on every single scoring play,
she's got a hand in it. So very excited to
talk to Sam Kruger. So we'll be hearing from her
in a bit. And I think I'm calling this show
the small but Mighty Show because we have Sam Kruger
can be in that club for sure. I'm I'm in
(02:00):
that club at five to two, So I'm I'm a
proud member of the Small and Mighty club. Although not
in soccer obviously, I'm talking about soccer maybe. But and
then also on this episode, we're gonna hear from the
original The Destroyer, Canada's premier defender, Desiree Scott. If you
hadn't heard the news, des has recently announced her retirement
(02:25):
from international play. I know, wipe your tears, the end
of an era. She's part of that era, right of
those those great Canadian players who've really built up Canada
women's soccer, you know that have retired recently, like Christine
Sinclair and you know, Stephanie Labe and so Schmidt, and
you know, in further back, Diana Matheson, and I mean
(02:48):
just so many more. She comes from that, you know,
that era, and as we see even you know here
in the US, we're seeing like more retirements from the
international stage. It's also because we're seeing the younger players
come up, and so we have to embrace those younger players.
But at the same time, it is sad to see
our favorites go away. You go away into the into
(03:10):
the sunset, as it were. But does Scott one of
my favorite players and one of my favorite people to interview.
She came on the show a couple of years ago
and I wrote a blog about it as well. But
I'll put the link on our show notes today. If
you miss that interview, we go back and talk about
Dez's career, because she has had an amazing career, even
at that point two years ago, so much more now.
(03:32):
But you know, she's a legit, a living legend, and
I got a chance. I'm so lucky, so fortunate, and
thank you to Canada Soccer for including me. But again,
I was fortunate enough to sit in on that press
conference where she announced her retirement. And so I'm going
to play snippets of that press conference shortly here coming up.
But love love watching Dez play. The good news is, however,
(03:56):
that Dees isn't retiring from club soccer. She's actually playing
for Ottawa Rapids in the Northern Super League up there
in Canada, and she showed up in that press conference
wearing her Ottawa Rapids jersey, so she's already come to
terms with her retirement in the national team. By the way,
she wears the maple leaf for the last time on
(04:16):
May thirty first, twenty twenty five, when Canada meets Haiti
and a friendly up there in Winnipeg, in her hometown.
It's going to be a destroyer weekend on May May
thirty first weekend is going to be a destroyer weekend.
They're going to be celebrating Des Scott, all the great things,
all her great career, the legacy that she left, you know,
(04:37):
that generation that she's part of. But then she knows
she's not done yet. She's doing more because she's raising
awareness of the NSL up there. I don't know, it's
just so much fun to hear from her. And like
I said, I'll put the link on her show notes
of my exclusive interview. It does from a few years ago.
But right now, let's listen to what does had to
say about retirement, also a the Ottawa Rapids and this
(05:01):
new chapter in her life. It's so exciting, and I'm
so proud of her, and it's excited for her. Like
I always say, you know, in press conference setting, there's
other reporters asking questions, and you know, I kind of
sometimes I edit out the questions for ease of listening.
I left in quite a few questions on this press conference,
just because I wanted to make sure that you understood
what she was talking about and the answers that she
(05:22):
was giving what they related to as far as the
questions go. So I did leave in quite a few
reporters questions, and then I snuck in a couple questions myself,
of course. So let's hear from the legend herself the
destroyer Desiree Scott.
Speaker 2 (05:38):
Thanks everyone for being here. I appreciate it so much.
Speaker 3 (05:41):
Obviously, the news has officially come out that I am
announcing my retirement from the Canadian national team.
Speaker 2 (05:48):
Been a part of that team and journey for a very,
very long time.
Speaker 3 (05:52):
It has been, like I said in my post, one
of my greatest joys.
Speaker 2 (05:55):
But it's time for that chapter to close.
Speaker 3 (05:57):
I don't think that's a huge surprise for anybody, but
also the start of a new journey right here in
our domestic league where I'm going to continue play with
the Northern Super League here with the Ottawa Rapids, and
it's really just the time to celebrate a wonderful career
that I've had some of the best times of my life,
unforgettable memories from twenty twelve leading all the way to
(06:17):
Gold to Tokyo twenty twenty one.
Speaker 2 (06:20):
So to be a part of that journey has been incredible.
Speaker 3 (06:23):
To don the red and white for so many years
that I have been able to do has been an
absolute pleasure and an honor, and I'm very excited to
announce that Canadians will be able to see me one
more time into Winnipeg I'm going to be rostered the
Destroyers dressing up back rocking the number eleven red and
white one last time in that Winnipeg match, So I'm
(06:43):
super super excited for that kind of it. For me,
just a huge thank you to everyone who's followed my career,
to my family, my friends, my coaches, everyone who's been
a part.
Speaker 1 (06:52):
Of the journey.
Speaker 3 (06:53):
I would not be where I am without so many people,
so thank you for that, and thanks for following the
Destroyer along.
Speaker 2 (06:59):
It's been a wonderful journey and an amazing ride.
Speaker 4 (07:03):
You've had time to think about this, no doubt, what
do you think your legacy is for Canadian soccer? I
know it's sometimes difficult in these times you don't want
to be too postful, but when you look back, I mean,
how would you describe your legacy?
Speaker 2 (07:14):
Hard to talk.
Speaker 3 (07:14):
About yourself sometimes, but when you remove it and you
kind of just look back at what you've done. I
have been a part of a group that has been
extremely special. The Christine's and Claire's, the Diana Mathisis and
Melissa tang Kredi's, the Sophie Schmid's, the step lab Is
like those are the people I have gone through this
program alongside and been on that journey with and to
(07:35):
just see the growth of the program, the success of
the program, just to see it grow and be successful,
and to now see.
Speaker 2 (07:43):
Kind of how we've all gone on to help grow
the game in our post careers.
Speaker 3 (07:47):
I think our legacy is just about leaving the game
better than we left it. I think we've all had
our hand in doing that, whether that's helping with this
Northern super League, whether it's at specific clubs or overseas
Wilkinson's we're doing their thing in Wales.
Speaker 2 (08:02):
I think we all just want to continue to.
Speaker 3 (08:03):
Grow the game and help that next generation know that
fort in Canada is strong and it's alive, and help
lead that pathway. So I just want to be a
positive role model, a bright light, and hopefully through my
play I've inspired people to go on and dream big
and now they can go be pros domestically here in
Canada with the Northern Super League.
Speaker 4 (08:22):
So you've battled your way back from injuries to be
with the new club in Auto.
Speaker 1 (08:28):
It kind of been easy.
Speaker 4 (08:29):
Can you give us a sense really of what you've
had to go through in recent years to get back
on the pitch.
Speaker 2 (08:35):
Yes, so good question.
Speaker 3 (08:37):
I had obviously my knee surgery in twenty twenty two
after a very intense year with club and country, playing.
Speaker 2 (08:42):
Down in Kansas City. End range of Like I said
thirty seven, I think what.
Speaker 3 (08:48):
We do as professional athletes is not easy. So to
come back to full fitness, to want to represent your
country and club at the highest level is not easy.
And so it's been a hard, hard year both with
life on.
Speaker 2 (09:01):
On field and off field.
Speaker 3 (09:02):
You know, I've lost my mom, having a deal, just
everything in life kind of came to a really hard
year and a half for me, missing out on rosters
with the Canadian team for Paris, just all of those things,
and not getting the minutes I wanted in Kansas City
after working hard to get back to fitness and feeling
good with my knee. So for me, it's been tough,
but I also think that's been fuel to my fire
(09:23):
leading me into this Ottawa rapid season.
Speaker 2 (09:25):
It's been a long preseason.
Speaker 3 (09:28):
But I wanted to again finish in my own terms,
and I don't think a lot of players get to
have that opportunity. So having that motivation of not having
the best last year and a half, but knowing with
this opportunity, I can make it what I want to
be and help myself not only get to a place
where I want to be, but inspire the people at
this club, the players at this club, and Canadian soccer
as a whole.
Speaker 2 (09:48):
So I'm feeling good.
Speaker 3 (09:50):
Can I ask, have you looked really on this season
for you old club of career?
Speaker 2 (09:54):
I have not. I am very much a girl as
staying in the present.
Speaker 3 (09:58):
I'm here to help this league kick off, especially in
the year one, but we don't know what the year
will hold.
Speaker 2 (10:03):
We'll see how the body feels, how the season goes,
and decide from there.
Speaker 3 (10:07):
But finding I'm just seeing how those season goes, one game.
Speaker 1 (10:10):
At a time.
Speaker 2 (10:10):
I think people are just excited to see that my
journey is continuing here in Canada.
Speaker 3 (10:15):
I think they know I'm a proud Canadian through and through.
I've enjoyed my time fully in Kansas City. That was
my home away from home, and they gave me a
beautiful send off to and my time in the NWSL.
But now it's time to start off as NSL and
I'm super proud about it. I've just had a ton
of messages from old teammates, just like we can't wait to.
Speaker 2 (10:32):
Watch your inaugural match. You do your thing up in Canada,
so that's been positive.
Speaker 5 (10:37):
Is there a particular player that you've connected with at rapid?
I mean, you show a lot of people a lot
of ropes, but is there anyone in particular that you
are perhaps a defender, may not be here, maybe as
a baby destroyer out there that you're mentoring.
Speaker 3 (10:52):
Yeah, honestly, I've made a good few connections here at Ottawa,
and I think just it is.
Speaker 2 (10:57):
A younger squad, so I feel like I've been able to.
Speaker 3 (11:00):
Just take everyone under my motherly wings and kind of
just share my knowledge.
Speaker 2 (11:04):
But obviously midfield is close to.
Speaker 3 (11:06):
Home into my heart, and there's a player Miranda Smith,
who has become a good friend of mine but also
a fellow six, and she's just like a sponge wanting
to learn about the game, just hear stories about my
Canadian national team career.
Speaker 2 (11:17):
She grew up watched in the team.
Speaker 3 (11:19):
So yeah, that's been one that I've been able to
kind of take arm in.
Speaker 2 (11:23):
Arm and just help raise the level, give her little
tricks of the position that I've learned over my years,
and just yeah, share the experiences that I've.
Speaker 1 (11:30):
Learned along the way. So you mentioned that in about
a week you'll have your home opener Rapid FC, and
then in a month you have this huge game against Haiti.
These are two It's almost like you're beginning something and
ending something at the same time. How are you balancing
both of these type of emotions.
Speaker 2 (11:47):
Yeah, it's tough.
Speaker 3 (11:49):
I just lean on my gratefulness for having the extended
career that I've had. I think a lot of players
my age maybe don't play at the highest level for
as long as that, So I kind of just take
every day and star with a smile on my face.
Speaker 2 (12:01):
Every game is a gift, and I'm taking.
Speaker 3 (12:04):
That one day at a time and enjoying all the
moments that come along with it and this journey. The
sport is a beautiful thing and you never know where
it's going to take you. And this, you know, short
lived retirement after NWSL. Now I'm here getting ready for
the inaugural match for Ottawa Rapid, here with the Northern
Super League and now a game coming like it's a
lot to celebrate, and I think just taking it one
(12:25):
day at a time and just appreciating the ride along
the way and knowing that I'm having an impact and
continuing to have that legacy here in my home country
that I'm so proud to represent.
Speaker 1 (12:35):
So great. Have you reached out to any former national
team players who have retired. Have they've given you any
advice or any words of wisdom?
Speaker 3 (12:44):
As for retirees, they're just like, run to the wheels,
fall off does go and do your thing, like we don't.
Speaker 2 (12:49):
Get this time back.
Speaker 3 (12:50):
So if the body's feeling good and your mind is
in it and you still love it, keep going.
Speaker 2 (12:55):
So just nothing but support and love for what I'm doing.
Speaker 3 (12:58):
And they're happy to see me put in the booth
on and representtion Auto A rapid for sure, is there?
Speaker 4 (13:03):
I always I wanted to ask you about the nickname
the Destroyer because I remember speaking to bed Priestman and
she said it was a bit misleading in that she
thought you offered you know, obviously you had those skills
as a destroyer, but you offered.
Speaker 1 (13:15):
A lot more.
Speaker 2 (13:16):
But I got the impression that you always embraced it. Yeah,
you do have it right.
Speaker 3 (13:19):
I think the evolution of Desiree Scott was that I'm
not only just a destroyer.
Speaker 2 (13:25):
I want to help build our.
Speaker 3 (13:27):
Attacks and start our technolally for Canada, but also for club.
And I think the bread and butter of my play
is that destroyer, that physicality, those tackles, breaking up play,
preventing goals. But I think the point that Bed was
making was that destroyer two point zero in a sense
that I want to help the attacking side of my
game and continue to grow that aspect as well. But
(13:47):
I love the destroyer. That's who I am.
Speaker 1 (13:49):
I embody. It so great to hear from des Scott.
I'm telling you she was rocking that Autawa Rapids and
it got me like, hm, I got to get on that.
I got to get on that. I sell website and
get myself some gear, really sharp looking jerseys. They all
have all the teams. There's just so great. And while
we're talking about, let's go through with the teams and
see if I can bring them up here. So up
(14:11):
in Calgary, you've got the Calgary Wild FC, Halifax Nova Scotia,
what way aw Man, Halifax Tides FC. Wouldn't you love
to go to Nova Scotia to see a women's professional
soccer game? I would love it. Montreal Roses FC, they're
playing in Laval, Quebec. I think I said that right,
(14:34):
Probably I said it wrong. I'm sure Ottawa Rapid FC
of course, in Ottawa, Ontario at TD Place Stadium they're playing.
We'd love to go see go see that destroyer play
up there. And by the way, Diana Matheson is part
owner of the Ottawa Rapid AFC Toronto on the East coast.
They've got a huge ownership group up there, and then
(14:57):
the Vancouver Rise playing at Swanguard Stadium, and they have
another famous Canadian as a part owner, Christine Sinclair, part
owner of Vancouver Rise. So love to see that. I
know the Canadians are so excited. I'm so excited. And
not only that, but they're in the CONCA CAFF Confederation,
(15:18):
which means maybe we'll see them, you know, in some
CONCA CAF tournaments. I'm hoping, fingers crossed that they and
I'm sure it'll happen. At some point they'll play some
inter national tournament or something with the NWSL. I imagine
that that is probably already in the works. Remember it
didn't take long for MX Feminel to play some tournaments
(15:40):
with the NWSL, so definitely expect to see the NSL
play NWSL games. So much fun if you're watching on TV.
They're also showing the games on ESPN. ESPN Plus is
playing the matches, and then up in Canada of course
TSN's CBC some other radio Canada I think has them
(16:00):
as well. So they got the TV rights going, and
Diana Matheson is actually really involved in starting this league.
We'll talk about this on a future show and maybe
get d Math back on the show too to talk
about it more intelligently than I could reading off the
internet as I normally do. But yeah, so I'm some
good stuff there, and so, like I said, of course,
(16:23):
it's their inaugural season kicked off on April sixteenth, twenty
twenty five. It'll continue with the championship final on November fifteenth,
twenty twenty five. The season will feature each team playing
twenty five regular season matches, So a lot of soccer.
You're gonna hear me say it again. Are you enjoying
all the women's soccer are going off more and more?
You know every time I turn around. So yeah, so
(16:44):
there's gonna be a lot of Canadian soccer this summer.
Tune in to ESPN Plus or wherever you watch, and
it'll be a lot of fun. To see see these
players and of course getting maybe a last look you
heard dead. She's not really saying if she's gonna continue
play club soccer after this season, but you'll get a
glimpse of the great Des Scott plane and kind of
(17:07):
her winding down her career right and she said it,
she wants to finish her career in Canada. So whether
it's this season or next season or beyond, we'll have
to find out. But in the meantime, just enjoy joined
the present. As does say, you know, live in the now.
We try to do that anyway. So anyway, I'm excited
to talk more about the NSL and upcoming shows, so
(17:29):
stay tuned for that. Thank you again for Canada Soccer
for allowing us to sit in on that press conference,
and also to Scott, the great Des Scott, such a
great person and player, brings so much to the game
over the years and continues to do so. So really
really proud and happy for her. And so we're gonna
take a short break. When we come back, we'll be
(17:50):
talking about the other professional women's soccer league here in
North America, the USL Super League. Some great teams, some
great players. We have learn't know of the great players
on this show. In our exclusive interview with Brooklyn FC
midfielder Sam Kruger, be back in a minute. All right,
(18:24):
can you tell I'm excited. I'm excited about this episode.
I'm also excited about all the women saw her going off.
I know, I know, I sound like a broken record,
but it's so true. It's so exciting, and I've been
really enjoying joining and I've been really enjoying the USL
Super League. This season. It's got so there's so many
(18:46):
ups and downs. It started in August of twenty four.
It goes through the end of May twenty five, so
that they have like a little break in the wintertime
and they come back. But if you haven't had a
chance to watch some of those matches, the USL Super League,
even though it's the season, is pretty much wrapping up.
It'll be starting up again in a few months. Get
(19:08):
If you don't have Peacock, I highly recommend get a
subscription to Peacock. They show all the games, they show
all the replays. They have a great they have great
broadcasting teams, and I just think they're doing a super
job there. And one of the teams I've kind of
latched onto that I really enjoyed watching has been Brooklyn FC.
Who knew there'd be a women's soccer team, professional women's
(19:30):
soccer team playing in Brooklyn and in so many other
small towns that the USL has like embraced these small
towns or not, you know, smaller towns, not like huge
cities like like you know, Portland and Seattle and LA
and stuff. The USL Super League has kind of dialed
down as far as like just community and even though
(19:53):
it's on the same it's on the same tiers NDOWSL
and you know, they considered a Division one but above
semi pro, so we were talking about a full fledged
professional women's soccer league. So and we'll go through. I'll
go through the teams real quick so that you can
get kind of understanding. Of course, Brooklyn Carolina Ascent in Charlotte,
(20:15):
North Carolina, Dallas Trinity's playing in Dallas, Texas, the DC
Power play at Washington, d C, Fort Lauderdale, Lexington SC
Sporting Club Jacksonville and Jacksonville, Florida, and then Tampa Bay
Sun in Tampa. And then our loan our lone West
Coast team, the Spokane Zephyr FC playing at one Spokane Stadium,
(20:41):
little five thousand seat stadium, but Spokane, I hear, is
very excited to have a team there. And you know,
it's a lot of travel for them. You know, they
got to travel back East a lot. But I think
that it's working out. It's working out because they've just
I don't know, they're squeezing their way into the playoffs
right now. We're in to about that a little bit.
(21:02):
But first let's talk about Brooklyn FC. I really enjoyed
watching Brooklyn FC this season. They were ups and downs.
They I thought they were just steamrolling last summer through
the league and then they hit a little bump in
the road. They ended up replacing their coach very recently.
They didn't have a win in the second half of
(21:25):
the season until very recently. And you know, so hit
hard times, which is good for a team, right especially
a young team. They haven't been together very long. You
want to go through some of those hard times. You
don't want to go through that at the end of
the season like they have. But it seems like every
time they make an adjustment, every time something happens and
(21:45):
they do make a change, it works, and I think
this has worked with some changes that they've made very recently,
and they brought in a couple of new players and
they started winning and this you know, they had to
win the recent game that they had against Spokane Zephyr
in order to make that playoff cut. They still have
a slim chance as of this recording, but it looks
(22:08):
like it's kind of out of their hands. And you
never want to go into the playoffs like that, right
when something's and you're depending on other teams to do
different things. But despite all that, there's still a fun
team to watch. I mean, like I said, they've battled
through some challenges. They got through them. They're braving the
changes and adjustments on and off the field, and it
just makes the team a very exciting team to watch.
(22:30):
And plus they're in Brooklyn, eh, you know. I mean,
it's got some weight to it and some responsibility too
at the same time. And so I really am excited
to share this interview with you that I have with,
like I said, one of the more exciting players midfielders
to play in the league, Sam Krueger. She's here to
talk about the league, the team, the paths now for
(22:53):
young women's soccer, players so much more. And like I said,
she's got such an interesting backstory that I know that
you're gonna love hearing from her. So without further ado,
let's hear from this exciting young player. Please welcome from
Brooklyn FC midfielder Sam Kroger. Hi, Sam, thank you so
much for coming on the show. It's exciting to see
(23:15):
the USL Super League making an impact on women's professional soccer,
not just here in the States but all over the world.
As we're seeing international players come in and as you know,
international coaches and so and Brooklyn FC have been a
big contributor to that excitement. And so we're super happy
to have the opportunity to talk to you. And I
feel like I have a lot of questions for you,
(23:38):
maybe two of me. So before we talk about the
team and all the great things that are happening over
at Brooklyn FC, tell us a little bit about yourself,
your background, and when did you discover soccer.
Speaker 6 (23:53):
Yeah, so, first off, thanks for having me. It's a pleasure.
A little bit about myself. I grew up in Northern Jersey,
a little town.
Speaker 7 (24:01):
Called West Milford.
Speaker 6 (24:03):
Started my soccer career pretty early, mainly because I couldn't
really sit still, and my mom wanted me to be
I guess just active during my during my youth. So
we tried a whole different bunch of sports, and soccer
ended up being the one that fit, and then the
rest is kind of history. But it's funny because during
(24:26):
my I guess travel days, my mom actually got to
coach me for a little bit and everyone I guess
on the sidelines and parents were like, she should probably
move up in club and get more experience and compete
at a higher level.
Speaker 7 (24:41):
And my mom was obviously being a mom, was like, oh,
I'm not really sure this and that.
Speaker 6 (24:46):
So that's how kind of my soccer career started. But yeah,
I grew up on a lake, so I did basically
any any sport you can think of on a lake,
and then my mom was an empty on the ski mountains.
I've been skiing and snowboarding for many years.
Speaker 1 (25:04):
Wow, that is so cool. You know, I have to
ask you this because every time I talk to somebody
from Jersey, I always have to ask this because so
many professional women's soccer players come out of Jersey and
it's not that big, you know. Here, I'm in California,
like you could play year round, right, And I know,
like back East is a different story, But why is
that cultivated that girls soccer in New Jersey? I mean,
(25:26):
what's happening there?
Speaker 6 (25:28):
Yeah, I think it's just the amount of different opportunities
in Jersey. Obviously, the biggest club in New Jersey is PDA,
and I think that there's a lot of growth and
development from the youth players that come out of PDA,
so big props to them. And I think that I
actually didn't play for PDA, played for World Class.
Speaker 7 (25:47):
In New York State. Yeah, I think it's just a.
Speaker 6 (25:50):
Different mentality in New Jersey. Obviously it's a smaller state,
but it has a lot of potential with the growth
of women's sports and especially women's soccer in that state.
Speaker 1 (26:00):
Sure does. Was there a certain moment in your life
in your childhood that you can you can point to
where you were like, yes, I want I want to
be a professional soccer player. I don't want to be
a professional snowboarder. I want to be a professional.
Speaker 6 (26:15):
I think as just I guess the middle of my
club career, I think that was the time where I
was developing and also I had a lot of fun,
So I think that just having fun while also developing,
I guess grew interests in myself, and then that's when
I kind of wanted to pursue soccer as a collegiate
(26:37):
career and then also in hopes of the professional career,
which I've done this year as.
Speaker 7 (26:43):
My rookie year.
Speaker 6 (26:44):
So it's been a great process so far, and I've
enjoyed every step of the journey so far.
Speaker 1 (26:49):
Did you ever play for the US soccer youth team?
Speaker 7 (26:53):
Yeah?
Speaker 6 (26:53):
So I went through the U fourteenth through the U twenties,
and then once COVID hit, I kind of fizzled out
of that system, but I was in their pretty consistent
way from the fourteenth to the twenties.
Speaker 1 (27:06):
Oh okay, I thought, so, you know, I was. I
didn't know if I, like I remembered you from Rutgers,
but I kind of had a feeling you also played
at the youth level, just so that our listeners may
know you from that from either your the youth team
or or Wretgers, and you had a great college career there.
How did plane We'll focus on your college career. How
(27:28):
did play in college soccer? And like a great women's
soccer school at Wreutgers. How did that experience help you
with your growth in your development?
Speaker 6 (27:39):
Obviously, being a student athlete, it requires a lot of
time management, and I think that's one skill that I
took out of college and basically brought it to the
professional career.
Speaker 7 (27:51):
Being a student athlete is hard, and I think that
you go through a.
Speaker 6 (27:54):
Lot of mental challenges, and I think that overcoming those
is like a big It's a big reward, even though
it doesn't feel like it in the moment, but I
think that all the challenges that we face in colleges,
even the smallest ones throughout our daily lives, it brings
us to I guess, a better spot mentally in a
(28:14):
long run. Because it is a hard It is a
hard job. I mean, yeah, it comes with a lot
of challenges, but it is very rewarding when you overcome them,
and I guess see progress in a way.
Speaker 1 (28:28):
I might ask you about that a little bit later too,
as we talk about the different pathways for younger players
to get into the pros. But I'm sure that you're
still growing and improving. We never we never stop, especially
especially you as a professional athlete. What are some of
the things within your own game that you constantly work on,
or that you're working on right now.
Speaker 6 (28:48):
Yeah, I think this year has been a year of growth.
I was not technically a six holding the fielder coming.
Speaker 7 (28:57):
Out of college.
Speaker 6 (28:58):
Actually played the winger in college and then I got
a little time in the midfield, but my main position
in college was actually the seven or the eleven. But
I think that this year, yeah, has definitely taught me
in the aspect of a six. It requires a lot
of communication, and I'm not the loudest person on the field,
and I'm more introverted in my daily life. Just off
(29:21):
the pitch, I'm more reserved and quieter, but once you
obviously get to know me, I can talk. But I
think that the communication aspect has been a big piece
of my game that I've been trying to grow this year,
especially being in the central of the field and seeing
a lot of things that other players higher.
Speaker 7 (29:39):
Up the field don't see.
Speaker 6 (29:40):
So I think that that's one thing that I've been
really honed in on this year, and I think that
it's grown and I've definitely become more vocal, but obviously
there's a lot of growth in that area. And then
I think just in general, having a good relationship with
my back line and helping them get out of pressure
with like the different angles that I give myself to
them to support them to go forward or just keep
(30:02):
the ball in possession. So I think that those are
two main things that I've been trying to focus on
and just do the one percent every single day, so
it doesn't have to be a lot of progress, but
I think the one percent one percent is better than.
Speaker 1 (30:14):
Nothing, So it's a gradual thing. I think that's great
for a lot of young kids to hear because even
playing at this level, you are always improving or you're
looking at something that maybe I can be a little
and introverts can be leaders. I always say that, like, yes,
the introverts, there's it's a different skill set. You just
can't be out there loud because that's not who you are.
(30:34):
So you got to find out how do I how
do I become It's interesting to me there's plenty of that.
There's plenty in the professional Women's league, that's for sure,
in converts who are the leaders. There's a way to
do it. So we'll be watching your progress on So
thank you. So, like I said earlier, you know Brooklyn FC,
they're making a huge impact on the league already in
(30:56):
so many ways, And from your point of view, what
makes this team special are different maybe than other teams
that you've been on.
Speaker 7 (31:03):
I think just the camaraderie.
Speaker 6 (31:05):
We've obviously been through a lot eight months ago or
however long we started to go. But I think that
the camaraderie and just the chemistry we've built off the
field has definitely helped our success on the field. And
I think, like the people have made this place so
special and I'm really grateful and proud to be a
part of it for the inaugural sees, the inaugural season
(31:27):
for Brooklyn and the USL. So I think that, yeah,
just the relationships we've built with each player and also
just this coaching staff has been great.
Speaker 7 (31:36):
You don't see a.
Speaker 6 (31:36):
Lot of what we have on this team in other teams,
and I think that it's something special that we need
to not take for granted, because, yeah, a lot of
teams that I've played on don't have.
Speaker 7 (31:49):
This much chemistry, and like it does really.
Speaker 6 (31:52):
Make a difference on the field. Just everyone supporting you
and knowing that we have each other's backs is like
super crucial in terms of like when we make decisions,
and if we decide to press and if it gets broken,
like we know that everyone will have each other's back.
So I think that's a really special part that this
team has developed, and I'm excited to see where it goes.
Speaker 1 (32:12):
It's you know, I'm glad that you said that because
I noticed, like on watching on Peacock obviously, but social
media and online, it seems like this group is very tight.
I think that's unusual. I'm like, is this team has
only been together for you know, I don't know how
long a minute, you know, and that's kind of unusual.
Do you have like an idea of what what you
attribute that to.
Speaker 6 (32:31):
I think it's everyone buying in. Obviously, it's the first
year in this club, and not everything's gonna be perfect.
Speaker 7 (32:38):
So I think that we just all bought.
Speaker 6 (32:40):
Into our goals in our mindset, and I think that, yeah,
that carried on throughout the first half the season and
this half the season, even though we have been through
some few bumps in the road, but I think that, yeah,
we're still locked in. We have a game plan for
each game, and we're focused on the next game. So
I think that we take each game one at a time.
But I think that, yeah, we're all pretty locked in
(33:02):
from the start, which has helped a lot in our success,
and I think that, yeah, that's a really special part
that this group has.
Speaker 1 (33:09):
That something else that you guys did earlier this season,
which I thought was very cool as you went to
Italy and you got to train and play against a
Syria team. Can you tell us about that experience and
what you took away from that.
Speaker 7 (33:22):
Yeah, Italy was great.
Speaker 6 (33:24):
I've personally never been, but I've been to a few
other countries in Europe, but I think that it was
a great experience for all of us. There's been a
few of our teammates who haven't been abroad or haven't
left the country, so for them it was like this
whole new experience and everything was like super exciting for them,
and it was great to see everyone just excitement around
(33:47):
Italy and just a different culture of football and also
just the way that they live. It's an eye opener
to see a different country and obviously the different football
country the football culture, especially because they're obviously the Europeans
are I guess their focus it is a lot on
technical ability versus like the physicality of the game, and
(34:10):
I think that when we played I don't even know
who we played.
Speaker 7 (34:13):
Napoly, they we could tell that they.
Speaker 6 (34:16):
Were very good on the ball and just very technical
and patient and build up and they had a lot
of off ball movement, so things that we're trying to
incorporate in Brooklyn we saw when we played Napoly, which
was like really exciting to see, and we had some
good moments in the game, and obviously we didn't have
the result that we wanted, but I think that just
seeing a different team in a different league was good
(34:39):
preparation for our spring spring season. And I think that yeah,
just obviously we had a lot of pasta pizza, just
like getting the full culture in US, and I think
that we embraced it all and it was it was
obviously a long it felt like a long trip, but
I think that it was It was definitely helpful in
(34:59):
terms of of even just like players who want to
play overseas, like they knew if it was for them
or if they had interest, if they wanted to pursue
that in the future.
Speaker 7 (35:09):
But yeah, it was a great trip. I loved it.
Speaker 1 (35:12):
Yeah, I would imagine, wow, just the experience of it,
did you do you ever think about that about going
overseas to play.
Speaker 6 (35:19):
Yeah, I've definitely that's been like my long term goal.
I think that I wanted to put my foot in
the door in the NWSL and obviously the USL, and
I might have my goal of like maybe potentially finishing
my career overseas. I still have a lot to grow
in my game, and I think that this year has
(35:39):
definitely helped me in terms of where my mindset needs
to be before going overseas.
Speaker 7 (35:44):
So I think that it's helped me a lot.
Speaker 6 (35:46):
But I definitely do want to play overseas. My family
is first and second generation from Germany, so I think
that it'll definitely be like second home if I end
up in Germany. But yeah, anywhere in Europe I'm definitely
interested in.
Speaker 1 (36:00):
So Cool Well, we'll have to keep an eye on,
you know, then fron Bundesliga.
Speaker 7 (36:05):
Yeah, Brooklyn going back.
Speaker 1 (36:06):
Home, We'll stay in Brooklyn. Right now, they really embrace
this team. I feel that like that just doesn't it
doesn't just happen, you know, especially with women's soccer. It's
it's intentional, and you guys are really going out in
the community, You're getting you're getting involved you're bringing the
fans close to you. Tell us about some of the
things that you're doing in the community and what causes
(36:27):
are you involved with that you are most passionate about.
Speaker 6 (36:30):
Yeah, I know that we did a book clubs in
the beginning half of the season, helping kids out and
just like coaching them through different drills, different games. And
I think that, yeah, just getting out in the community
is super important. Uh, they do so much for us
and we want to do the same to them. And
I obviously being in New York City, like everyone dreams
(36:51):
of playing in a big city, and it's obviously one
of the most famous cities in the world. So I
think that having a women's team is like super important,
especially just like for the growth of the game, like
and having opportunities for younger kids to hopefully potentially play.
Speaker 7 (37:08):
For Brooklyn FC one day.
Speaker 6 (37:09):
And I think that putting our name out is like
super important. The earlier you start, the better it is
to build relationships, build different with connections, And it's all
about connections in terms of the sports world, because it's
a big stage, but it's a small world.
Speaker 1 (37:24):
At the same time, I always say that women's soccer
is a very small world. Even though it's expanding, it's
like it's very, very small. There's always this grassroots feel
about it, even at the professional levels. It's so crazy.
I used to say, like when is it going to
stop being grassroots and when is it just going to
be like professional? But now I feel like grassroots is
like it's not amateur. Grassroots is like real, right, it's
(37:47):
like community and getting involved in And so I think
that that's I've had to like switch my thinking there.
It's like grassroots is good, doesn't happen? And plus, you
guys have like the greatest gear two. Like I'm like,
I'm on the store right now, I'm gonna get a
shirt because I have to rep Brooklyn here in California.
(38:08):
I always say, when New York has a team, we
all have a team. Yes, that's the way it is.
Why do you think because we have an audience. We
have a worldwide audience, so people listen from all over
the world. But but it's important to have women's sports
in Brooklyn.
Speaker 7 (38:23):
Yeah, it's a.
Speaker 6 (38:24):
Big city and there's different boroughs, and I think that
Brooklyn was a great one to choose from. I think
it covers a lot of on the right East side
of Manhattan. Obviously, the market is so big yet so
small in New York, and it's hard to as we
have experienced, hard to find a field just to train
on because it has to go through a lot of
(38:45):
different It can't just be a yes from one person.
It has to be a yes from multiple different people.
There's like state and city regulations, and then there's if
the land is private or public, so we have to
go through a whole series of processes is to get
things approved here. And I think that just having a
team in Brooklyn and the people who live in Brooklyn,
(39:06):
there's a variety of different ethnicities. Being in Brooklyn has
helped them just kind of connect with a team and
still find the joy and love in soccer. And I
think that that has definitely been like inspiring to see
and just the people When we wear Brooklyn shirts, we
get a few questions sometimes and they're.
Speaker 7 (39:27):
Like, oh, what's this about, and we.
Speaker 8 (39:30):
I guess we get to tell more people about us
because it is a special city and obviously the people
from New York have obviously pride playing here.
Speaker 6 (39:41):
So I think that, yeah, it's definitely been an enjoying
process of the journey and I'm hoping to obviously spread
more word about Brooklyn FC and in the future weeks, months,
and years, hopefully we'll have a big fan group in
the in the upcoming years.
Speaker 1 (39:57):
Yeah, it's a growth, it's a process, but yeah, it's
I think it's just great. Especially why being able to
watch the games too on TV and see the backdrop
of Coney Island. I'm like, I got to get back there,
Like that looks so much fun, so much fun. I
don't know about the weather, but it does look fun. Yeah,
I know. So, Like we were said before, you know,
(40:19):
there's so many different paths that players can get to
the pros these days. It's not just one way anymore.
Remember it used to be just one way. Now expansion
in the USL Super League and the NWSL, you know,
leagues are expanding overseas, and I just think the options
are just crazy. And the elimination of the college draft,
I think that that's going to affect the collegiate game
(40:40):
as well. What do you tell young girls who are
looking at all these options and are like, my gosh,
what what paths do I take? What do you say, like,
what when a kid's like, what path is right for me?
Speaker 6 (40:51):
Yeah, I think that obviously it's very now that things
are changing and everything is kind of moving very quickly,
I think that it can be overwhelming and for my process.
I obviously I entered the first draft and the last draft,
so I was it was a good I had fun
during that process, but I think now that not having it.
(41:14):
There's obviously pros and coms to every decision that you make.
But I think that when kids ask like which path is,
I don't think there's necessarily a right or wrong path.
You have to take the path that is speaking to
your heart and just go with it and not make
any regrets. Some people might overthink things and like be
(41:37):
like is this for me?
Speaker 7 (41:38):
Is this not for me?
Speaker 6 (41:39):
But I think that if there's any opportunities that come
your way, just take it, ride with it, honestly and
take any any moment to grow as much as you can,
both as a person and as a player. And I
think that if you do those things, if you work hard,
if you get along with the players and staff, think
good things will come. People might like be rushing into things,
(42:02):
but I think you just have to be patient and
the right timing will come. Yeah, my process to Brooklyn
wasn't easy.
Speaker 7 (42:09):
I had to be I had.
Speaker 6 (42:10):
To be patient, and it wasn't obviously fun waiting and
not being on a team and being in the middle
of like the unknown in the gray area. But I
think that it was a perfect opportunity for myself, just
as a rookie year.
Speaker 7 (42:24):
If there's any opportunity that comes your way.
Speaker 6 (42:26):
I think my biggest saying is take any opportunity that
comes your way and just work hard and take any
information from players, coaches, staff. Yeah, just be a sponge
because the more info you can take and apply to
your game, I think, the better and that'll help with
your success.
Speaker 1 (42:45):
I love that listen to people because sometimes especially with
young kids, you know, it's like they don't sometimes don't know,
but it's hard for them, especially if they're playing at
a really high level, to kind of listen to people.
It's like listen to your coaches, you know, to you know,
listen to what other people have to say. Listen to
Sam isn't someone who's out. You're I mean, you're like young,
it's still young, and you've got your whole future ahead
(43:08):
of you. And yeah, that college draft I went to
a few and some of them are really exciting, but
I was like, you know, there's only forty players picked.
You know, you know that there's like this doesn't seem right.
So now they have a little bit more control. So
I guess that's good. I just I'm curious to see
what it's going to do with the college game though,
because like you Sae, college, I mean, college isn't for
(43:28):
everybody that said, but the skills that you took from
college or you know, stay with you for the rest
of your life, even beyond soccer. So yeah, so's it'll
be interesting to see what what happens with the women's game.
But it's you know, everything is happening in the way
it's supposed to. And I think even like a team
like Brooklyn and in the league now it's like, you know,
(43:51):
the sky's the limit. I think on the opportunities. It's
so great to talk to you, Sam. I feel like
I can talk to you a couple more hours and
you're like, nokay, please, but let me ask you, like, so,
what are some of the things that you'd like to
accomplish both on the field and off the field if
you're looking at your whole career ahead of you.
Speaker 6 (44:11):
On the field, becoming a more vocal six is my
my goal, and long term, I think becoming a six
that can also attack and score goals and the sky's
the limit. Like you said, I think that anyone can score,
and I think just getting myself into great positions to
be able to score is my goal in the future,
(44:34):
short term, in both long term.
Speaker 7 (44:35):
Would you say off the field.
Speaker 1 (44:37):
Yeah, like beyond, Like do you ever look, I know
you're so young right now, you're just looking at your
soccer career, but like maybe like in the future, like
maybe you want to like go into you know, take
your degree and do something or do something work, you know,
something off the field. I guess yeah.
Speaker 6 (44:50):
I have a sport management degree, and I think I
would like or love to stay within the sports realm.
Does it necessarily have to be soccer?
Speaker 8 (45:01):
I love all.
Speaker 6 (45:01):
Sports, so I think that if I can expand my
knowledge with other sports, great. If I stay within the
soccer world obviously even better since I'm more most familiar
with it.
Speaker 7 (45:13):
I've thought about coaching.
Speaker 6 (45:15):
I'm not sure at what level I would like to coach,
but I would be interested in that in the long term.
I've had a few experiences with just doing like little
clinics with like younger kids, so I wouldn't be opposed
to that. And then my family owns a little ski
shop in Northern Jerseys. Obviously it's a seasonal job, but
(45:37):
maybe take on that role in the winters leading up
into the spring. But yeah, just anything within the sports realm,
I would love to stay in the future and long term,
potentially when I finish my career.
Speaker 7 (45:49):
I love sports.
Speaker 6 (45:50):
I love women's sports, especially It's been growing and it's
been so exciting to see the growth. Obviously there's a
ton to go, but yeah, just seeing it with the
NCAA basketball tournament this past few weeks has been so
great and so inspiring. I think that just seeing the
vast numbers that watched the game, both in person and online,
(46:13):
has been The numbers have been increasing significantly, so I'm
excited for that. But yeah, just within the spelt sports
realm I would love to stay in.
Speaker 1 (46:23):
Do you ever tell a coach that you're going to scheme.
Speaker 6 (46:26):
I've had to stay away from it this past winter,
which is very hard to do. I'm not gonna lie,
but I did do it. I accomplished it, and I
kind of just stayed close to my mom to make
sure that she didn't let me lose, don't let me scheme.
I know she went on some ski trips and I
(46:47):
was very jealous of her, but I knew just obviously
soccer is my job and my career, so I have
to stay away from it. But I would have loved
to this winter, but I contained myself.
Speaker 1 (47:00):
Maybe you can do those virtual ones.
Speaker 6 (47:03):
Yeah, it's very very different.
Speaker 7 (47:05):
I love. I love just like skiing in the trees.
Speaker 6 (47:08):
It's very freeing and obviously the nature part of it
is awesome and fresh air. But yeah, for my safety
and for my career, I stayed away from it, which
I'm very proud of because.
Speaker 7 (47:23):
That was very hard to do.
Speaker 1 (47:24):
We appreciate it, of course. Sam, thank you so much
for taking the time to talk with us. We're going
to keep an eye on Brooklyn FC, the US All
Super League, and you and your career. We appreciate you.
Know all that you do and all that you're doing
within the community, and when you are reaching for your dreams,
it's inspiring to those around you. You know, the kids,
(47:47):
even old kids like me, were inspired by you. So
appreciate that heart, right, We appreciate you. Thank you for
coming on sharing your story with us.
Speaker 6 (47:56):
Of course, thanks for having me you it was great.
Speaker 1 (47:59):
So sorry to hear from Sam. Every time I watch
Brooklyn Playboy, they call her name like thousands of times.
It seems like she's always around the ball, She's always
making plays. She's a definite playmaker. She said, she wins
the ball. And you know, like I said, she's small
and mighty. She's just like this is the Small and
Mighty Show and Des Scott and Sam Krueger on hosted
(48:23):
by your your fellow five two and shrinking host here.
But yeah, so I'm excited about Brooklyn. Even if they
don't make the playoffs this season, I'm going to be
excited to watch them next season and see where they go.
These players in the USL Super League are on fire.
I mean, they're so fun to watch. They've got a mission.
(48:46):
They don't play like they're the NWSL's little sister or
anything like that. They are full fledged professional soccer players.
And there's a lot of top name players in the league,
including friend of the show Sit Schneider. We had her
on a few years ago, I hush, I think like
a year and a half ago. She's playing over at
(49:06):
Tampa Bay Sun along with Dommy Richardson and Jade Moore.
The England midfielder Ali Cook just joined Spokane sephyr Taylor
Smith and Cameron Brooks are playing at Fort Lauderdale, and
this gives a good Like you heard Sam say, you
know that you have a different pathways to get to
(49:27):
the pros nowadays, and the pros have different ways to play,
And a lot of teams in the NBAW are loaning
players to a lot of these USL Super League teams,
So that's great too. That's what we want, right We
want all the leagues to work together and give these
elite athletes a way to play, continue to play, continue
(49:48):
to live out their dreams like Sam Kruger living out
her dreams. And oh and by the way, if you
missed what Sam said about skiing, I was I talked
over her like I often do. Actually, if you didn't
catch it on that interview, she actually is under contract
that she can't ski or snowboard while the season's going on,
So that's why she was saying she's been really good,
(50:09):
especially during the break, she was really good not to
ski or snowboard. And I always think that's fascinating, you know,
I mean, these players have lives outside of the sport
that they play, but they are professionals and they have
to keep healthy right on and off the field. So
great to hear from Sam. I just want to clarify
that because I was talking over and I was like,
oh day, you can't hear the part where she said that.
(50:31):
So little bit about the league, Like I said, it
started on August seventeenth, two thousand and four. It concludes
on May thirty first, twenty twenty five, and then the
playoffs will follow with the first round on the weekend
of June seventh, twenty twenty five, and then the final
will be played on June fourteenth, twenty twenty five. I'll
be tuning in on Peacock and watching that game. Whoever
(50:55):
it is, will Brooklyn be there, I don't know, we'll see,
but like I said, it's it doesn't matter. It's still fun.
All the teams are fun, and I really highly recommend
that you that you tune in if you haven't, or
if you live close to a team, go to a
game and support the team. I have my like I said,
(51:16):
I have my Brooklyn FC shirt on. I'm repping the
team all the way here in California. You gotta keep
it going. I like to wear it out. I want
to see if I get any I'm gonna wear it
out today. I'm gonna see if I get any comments.
It gives me an opportunity to talk about women's soccer,
which I always love. What I tell you so much,
women's soccer going on, and we'll talk more about, like
I said, the Northern Super League, and then also of
(51:37):
course we'll be talking more about the USL coming up
in future shows and keep you updated on some of
the things that are happening there in the league, and
hopefully we see some cross league play. Won't that be great?
I think that's what we're all hoping for, so really
big thanks again to Sam Kruger for coming on. I
appreciate it. It's always fun to talk to young players
and just so fun, so so fun to watch, so
(52:00):
interesting to hear from, and so many views on playing
soccer in Brooklyn. Such a great thing. I really hope
you enjoyed episode two thirty two of Women's World Football Show.
I would love to know your thoughts on my exclusive
interview with Sam Kruger and also our SoundBite from Des Scott.
So great to hear from both of those players, feel
(52:23):
free to email me at Patty at wwfshow dot com.
I read all the emails that I do my best
replying at timely manner. If you did enjoy this episode,
subscribe now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeartRadio, app, tuned in, castbox, Spreaker,
wwfshow dot com, or wherever you're listening to this right now.
And if you really really enjoy listening to Women's Role
Football Show, one of the best ways you can show
(52:44):
your appreciation is to give us a five star rating
and leave a review wherever you listen. I always love
to know your thoughts and reviews are the best ways
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help grow the show and grow this beautiful game that
we love is to tell your friends and family about
Women's World Football Show. If you're listening on a mobile device,
swipe over the cover art and you'll find the episode notes,
including some details you may have missed. For relative links
(53:07):
from this episode, visit our show notes on wwfshow dot com.
Connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok at WWF Show.
Women's World Football Show is hosted, written, edited and produced
by Patti Labella. That's me. Additional assistance for this episode
by Canada Soccer, Zach Hawk and Sam Kruger at Brooklyn FC.
And thank you, especially you for joining me on this
(53:29):
exciting journey through women's football. Stay strong, stay mindful, keep
loving your heart. We'll see y'all next time.
Hey, everybody, welcome to another exciting episode of Women's World
Football Show. I'm your host, Patty. How are you doing.
I hope you're doing great. I hope that your life's
treating you well. And I also hope and I know
that you're gonna say, oh, you're gonna say this again.
I hope that you're enjoying all the women's soccer going
off right now. I say that every show, but on
this show particularly, I couldn't find another way to say it.
(00:33):
I was kept saying, hmm, I keep saying the same thing,
but it's so true. And did you know that we
have two new professional women's soccer leagues playing in North
America right now as we speak. It's true. We have
the Northern Super League up in Canada, and also here
in the United States we have the USL Super League,
which is just wrapping up. It's been such an exciting season.
(00:56):
And we have dynamic player from Brooklyn FC, the great
midfielder Sam Krueger, is here to talk about Brooklyn, talk
about the league, talk about all the stuff going on
in Brooklyn and what it's like to play there, and
so much more. Plus she's got such an interesting backstory
it's very unusual. You know, I've interviewed I don't know,
(01:18):
hundreds of players over the year. Since she's this is
a very unusual backst I've never heard one like this before,
so you'll want to stay tuned for that. Plus, she's
such a she's such a dynamic player. Just love watching
her play. She's like winning balls that she shouldn't win.
She's playing both sides of the ball, defense in office.
I mean, she's just so much fun to watch and
(01:40):
of course the consummate playmaker. Almost on every single scoring play,
she's got a hand in it. So very excited to
talk to Sam Kruger. So we'll be hearing from her
in a bit. And I think I'm calling this show
the small but Mighty Show because we have Sam Kruger
can be in that club for sure. I'm I'm in
(02:00):
that club at five to two, So I'm I'm a
proud member of the Small and Mighty club. Although not
in soccer obviously, I'm talking about soccer maybe. But and
then also on this episode, we're gonna hear from the
original The Destroyer, Canada's premier defender, Desiree Scott. If you
hadn't heard the news, des has recently announced her retirement
(02:25):
from international play. I know, wipe your tears, the end
of an era. She's part of that era, right of
those those great Canadian players who've really built up Canada
women's soccer, you know that have retired recently, like Christine
Sinclair and you know, Stephanie Labe and so Schmidt, and
you know, in further back, Diana Matheson, and I mean
(02:48):
just so many more. She comes from that, you know,
that era, and as we see even you know here
in the US, we're seeing like more retirements from the
international stage. It's also because we're seeing the younger players
come up, and so we have to embrace those younger players.
But at the same time, it is sad to see
our favorites go away. You go away into the into
(03:10):
the sunset, as it were. But does Scott one of
my favorite players and one of my favorite people to interview.
She came on the show a couple of years ago
and I wrote a blog about it as well. But
I'll put the link on our show notes today. If
you miss that interview, we go back and talk about
Dez's career, because she has had an amazing career, even
at that point two years ago, so much more now.
(03:32):
But you know, she's a legit, a living legend, and
I got a chance. I'm so lucky, so fortunate, and
thank you to Canada Soccer for including me. But again,
I was fortunate enough to sit in on that press
conference where she announced her retirement. And so I'm going
to play snippets of that press conference shortly here coming up.
But love love watching Dez play. The good news is, however,
(03:56):
that Dees isn't retiring from club soccer. She's actually playing
for Ottawa Rapids in the Northern Super League up there
in Canada, and she showed up in that press conference
wearing her Ottawa Rapids jersey, so she's already come to
terms with her retirement in the national team. By the way,
she wears the maple leaf for the last time on
(04:16):
May thirty first, twenty twenty five, when Canada meets Haiti
and a friendly up there in Winnipeg, in her hometown.
It's going to be a destroyer weekend on May May
thirty first weekend is going to be a destroyer weekend.
They're going to be celebrating Des Scott, all the great things,
all her great career, the legacy that she left, you know,
(04:37):
that generation that she's part of. But then she knows
she's not done yet. She's doing more because she's raising
awareness of the NSL up there. I don't know, it's
just so much fun to hear from her. And like
I said, I'll put the link on her show notes
of my exclusive interview. It does from a few years ago.
But right now, let's listen to what does had to
say about retirement, also a the Ottawa Rapids and this
(05:01):
new chapter in her life. It's so exciting, and I'm
so proud of her, and it's excited for her. Like
I always say, you know, in press conference setting, there's
other reporters asking questions, and you know, I kind of
sometimes I edit out the questions for ease of listening.
I left in quite a few questions on this press conference,
just because I wanted to make sure that you understood
what she was talking about and the answers that she
(05:22):
was giving what they related to as far as the
questions go. So I did leave in quite a few
reporters questions, and then I snuck in a couple questions myself,
of course. So let's hear from the legend herself the
destroyer Desiree Scott.
Speaker 2 (05:38):
Thanks everyone for being here. I appreciate it so much.
Speaker 3 (05:41):
Obviously, the news has officially come out that I am
announcing my retirement from the Canadian national team.
Speaker 2 (05:48):
Been a part of that team and journey for a very,
very long time.
Speaker 3 (05:52):
It has been, like I said in my post, one
of my greatest joys.
Speaker 2 (05:55):
But it's time for that chapter to close.
Speaker 3 (05:57):
I don't think that's a huge surprise for anybody, but
also the start of a new journey right here in
our domestic league where I'm going to continue play with
the Northern Super League here with the Ottawa Rapids, and
it's really just the time to celebrate a wonderful career
that I've had some of the best times of my life,
unforgettable memories from twenty twelve leading all the way to
(06:17):
Gold to Tokyo twenty twenty one.
Speaker 2 (06:20):
So to be a part of that journey has been incredible.
Speaker 3 (06:23):
To don the red and white for so many years
that I have been able to do has been an
absolute pleasure and an honor, and I'm very excited to
announce that Canadians will be able to see me one
more time into Winnipeg I'm going to be rostered the
Destroyers dressing up back rocking the number eleven red and
white one last time in that Winnipeg match, So I'm
(06:43):
super super excited for that kind of it. For me,
just a huge thank you to everyone who's followed my career,
to my family, my friends, my coaches, everyone who's been
a part.
Speaker 1 (06:52):
Of the journey.
Speaker 3 (06:53):
I would not be where I am without so many people,
so thank you for that, and thanks for following the
Destroyer along.
Speaker 2 (06:59):
It's been a wonderful journey and an amazing ride.
Speaker 4 (07:03):
You've had time to think about this, no doubt, what
do you think your legacy is for Canadian soccer? I
know it's sometimes difficult in these times you don't want
to be too postful, but when you look back, I mean,
how would you describe your legacy?
Speaker 2 (07:14):
Hard to talk.
Speaker 3 (07:14):
About yourself sometimes, but when you remove it and you
kind of just look back at what you've done. I
have been a part of a group that has been
extremely special. The Christine's and Claire's, the Diana Mathisis and
Melissa tang Kredi's, the Sophie Schmid's, the step lab Is
like those are the people I have gone through this
program alongside and been on that journey with and to
(07:35):
just see the growth of the program, the success of
the program, just to see it grow and be successful,
and to now see.
Speaker 2 (07:43):
Kind of how we've all gone on to help grow
the game in our post careers.
Speaker 3 (07:47):
I think our legacy is just about leaving the game
better than we left it. I think we've all had
our hand in doing that, whether that's helping with this
Northern super League, whether it's at specific clubs or overseas
Wilkinson's we're doing their thing in Wales.
Speaker 2 (08:02):
I think we all just want to continue to.
Speaker 3 (08:03):
Grow the game and help that next generation know that
fort in Canada is strong and it's alive, and help
lead that pathway. So I just want to be a
positive role model, a bright light, and hopefully through my
play I've inspired people to go on and dream big
and now they can go be pros domestically here in
Canada with the Northern Super League.
Speaker 4 (08:22):
So you've battled your way back from injuries to be
with the new club in Auto.
Speaker 1 (08:28):
It kind of been easy.
Speaker 4 (08:29):
Can you give us a sense really of what you've
had to go through in recent years to get back
on the pitch.
Speaker 2 (08:35):
Yes, so good question.
Speaker 3 (08:37):
I had obviously my knee surgery in twenty twenty two
after a very intense year with club and country, playing.
Speaker 2 (08:42):
Down in Kansas City. End range of Like I said
thirty seven, I think what.
Speaker 3 (08:48):
We do as professional athletes is not easy. So to
come back to full fitness, to want to represent your
country and club at the highest level is not easy.
And so it's been a hard, hard year both with
life on.
Speaker 2 (09:01):
On field and off field.
Speaker 3 (09:02):
You know, I've lost my mom, having a deal, just
everything in life kind of came to a really hard
year and a half for me, missing out on rosters
with the Canadian team for Paris, just all of those things,
and not getting the minutes I wanted in Kansas City
after working hard to get back to fitness and feeling
good with my knee. So for me, it's been tough,
but I also think that's been fuel to my fire
(09:23):
leading me into this Ottawa rapid season.
Speaker 2 (09:25):
It's been a long preseason.
Speaker 3 (09:28):
But I wanted to again finish in my own terms,
and I don't think a lot of players get to
have that opportunity. So having that motivation of not having
the best last year and a half, but knowing with
this opportunity, I can make it what I want to
be and help myself not only get to a place
where I want to be, but inspire the people at
this club, the players at this club, and Canadian soccer
as a whole.
Speaker 2 (09:48):
So I'm feeling good.
Speaker 3 (09:50):
Can I ask, have you looked really on this season
for you old club of career?
Speaker 2 (09:54):
I have not. I am very much a girl as
staying in the present.
Speaker 3 (09:58):
I'm here to help this league kick off, especially in
the year one, but we don't know what the year
will hold.
Speaker 2 (10:03):
We'll see how the body feels, how the season goes,
and decide from there.
Speaker 3 (10:07):
But finding I'm just seeing how those season goes, one game.
Speaker 1 (10:10):
At a time.
Speaker 2 (10:10):
I think people are just excited to see that my
journey is continuing here in Canada.
Speaker 3 (10:15):
I think they know I'm a proud Canadian through and through.
I've enjoyed my time fully in Kansas City. That was
my home away from home, and they gave me a
beautiful send off to and my time in the NWSL.
But now it's time to start off as NSL and
I'm super proud about it. I've just had a ton
of messages from old teammates, just like we can't wait to.
Speaker 2 (10:32):
Watch your inaugural match. You do your thing up in Canada,
so that's been positive.
Speaker 5 (10:37):
Is there a particular player that you've connected with at rapid?
I mean, you show a lot of people a lot
of ropes, but is there anyone in particular that you
are perhaps a defender, may not be here, maybe as
a baby destroyer out there that you're mentoring.
Speaker 3 (10:52):
Yeah, honestly, I've made a good few connections here at Ottawa,
and I think just it is.
Speaker 2 (10:57):
A younger squad, so I feel like I've been able to.
Speaker 3 (11:00):
Just take everyone under my motherly wings and kind of
just share my knowledge.
Speaker 2 (11:04):
But obviously midfield is close to.
Speaker 3 (11:06):
Home into my heart, and there's a player Miranda Smith,
who has become a good friend of mine but also
a fellow six, and she's just like a sponge wanting
to learn about the game, just hear stories about my
Canadian national team career.
Speaker 2 (11:17):
She grew up watched in the team.
Speaker 3 (11:19):
So yeah, that's been one that I've been able to
kind of take arm in.
Speaker 2 (11:23):
Arm and just help raise the level, give her little
tricks of the position that I've learned over my years,
and just yeah, share the experiences that I've.
Speaker 1 (11:30):
Learned along the way. So you mentioned that in about
a week you'll have your home opener Rapid FC, and
then in a month you have this huge game against Haiti.
These are two It's almost like you're beginning something and
ending something at the same time. How are you balancing
both of these type of emotions.
Speaker 2 (11:47):
Yeah, it's tough.
Speaker 3 (11:49):
I just lean on my gratefulness for having the extended
career that I've had. I think a lot of players
my age maybe don't play at the highest level for
as long as that, So I kind of just take
every day and star with a smile on my face.
Speaker 2 (12:01):
Every game is a gift, and I'm taking.
Speaker 3 (12:04):
That one day at a time and enjoying all the
moments that come along with it and this journey. The
sport is a beautiful thing and you never know where
it's going to take you. And this, you know, short
lived retirement after NWSL. Now I'm here getting ready for
the inaugural match for Ottawa Rapid, here with the Northern
Super League and now a game coming like it's a
lot to celebrate, and I think just taking it one
(12:25):
day at a time and just appreciating the ride along
the way and knowing that I'm having an impact and
continuing to have that legacy here in my home country
that I'm so proud to represent.
Speaker 1 (12:35):
So great. Have you reached out to any former national
team players who have retired. Have they've given you any
advice or any words of wisdom?
Speaker 3 (12:44):
As for retirees, they're just like, run to the wheels,
fall off does go and do your thing, like we don't.
Speaker 2 (12:49):
Get this time back.
Speaker 3 (12:50):
So if the body's feeling good and your mind is
in it and you still love it, keep going.
Speaker 2 (12:55):
So just nothing but support and love for what I'm doing.
Speaker 3 (12:58):
And they're happy to see me put in the booth
on and representtion Auto A rapid for sure, is there?
Speaker 4 (13:03):
I always I wanted to ask you about the nickname
the Destroyer because I remember speaking to bed Priestman and
she said it was a bit misleading in that she
thought you offered you know, obviously you had those skills
as a destroyer, but you offered.
Speaker 1 (13:15):
A lot more.
Speaker 2 (13:16):
But I got the impression that you always embraced it. Yeah,
you do have it right.
Speaker 3 (13:19):
I think the evolution of Desiree Scott was that I'm
not only just a destroyer.
Speaker 2 (13:25):
I want to help build our.
Speaker 3 (13:27):
Attacks and start our technolally for Canada, but also for club.
And I think the bread and butter of my play
is that destroyer, that physicality, those tackles, breaking up play,
preventing goals. But I think the point that Bed was
making was that destroyer two point zero in a sense
that I want to help the attacking side of my
game and continue to grow that aspect as well. But
(13:47):
I love the destroyer. That's who I am.
Speaker 1 (13:49):
I embody. It so great to hear from des Scott.
I'm telling you she was rocking that Autawa Rapids and
it got me like, hm, I got to get on that.
I got to get on that. I sell website and
get myself some gear, really sharp looking jerseys. They all
have all the teams. There's just so great. And while
we're talking about, let's go through with the teams and
see if I can bring them up here. So up
(14:11):
in Calgary, you've got the Calgary Wild FC, Halifax Nova Scotia,
what way aw Man, Halifax Tides FC. Wouldn't you love
to go to Nova Scotia to see a women's professional
soccer game? I would love it. Montreal Roses FC, they're
playing in Laval, Quebec. I think I said that right,
(14:34):
Probably I said it wrong. I'm sure Ottawa Rapid FC
of course, in Ottawa, Ontario at TD Place Stadium they're playing.
We'd love to go see go see that destroyer play
up there. And by the way, Diana Matheson is part
owner of the Ottawa Rapid AFC Toronto on the East coast.
They've got a huge ownership group up there, and then
(14:57):
the Vancouver Rise playing at Swanguard Stadium, and they have
another famous Canadian as a part owner, Christine Sinclair, part
owner of Vancouver Rise. So love to see that. I
know the Canadians are so excited. I'm so excited. And
not only that, but they're in the CONCA CAFF Confederation,
(15:18):
which means maybe we'll see them, you know, in some
CONCA CAF tournaments. I'm hoping, fingers crossed that they and
I'm sure it'll happen. At some point they'll play some
inter national tournament or something with the NWSL. I imagine
that that is probably already in the works. Remember it
didn't take long for MX Feminel to play some tournaments
(15:40):
with the NWSL, so definitely expect to see the NSL
play NWSL games. So much fun if you're watching on TV.
They're also showing the games on ESPN. ESPN Plus is
playing the matches, and then up in Canada of course
TSN's CBC some other radio Canada I think has them
(16:00):
as well. So they got the TV rights going, and
Diana Matheson is actually really involved in starting this league.
We'll talk about this on a future show and maybe
get d Math back on the show too to talk
about it more intelligently than I could reading off the
internet as I normally do. But yeah, so I'm some
good stuff there, and so, like I said, of course,
(16:23):
it's their inaugural season kicked off on April sixteenth, twenty
twenty five. It'll continue with the championship final on November fifteenth,
twenty twenty five. The season will feature each team playing
twenty five regular season matches, So a lot of soccer.
You're gonna hear me say it again. Are you enjoying
all the women's soccer are going off more and more?
You know every time I turn around. So yeah, so
(16:44):
there's gonna be a lot of Canadian soccer this summer.
Tune in to ESPN Plus or wherever you watch, and
it'll be a lot of fun. To see see these
players and of course getting maybe a last look you
heard dead. She's not really saying if she's gonna continue
play club soccer after this season, but you'll get a
glimpse of the great Des Scott plane and kind of
(17:07):
her winding down her career right and she said it,
she wants to finish her career in Canada. So whether
it's this season or next season or beyond, we'll have
to find out. But in the meantime, just enjoy joined
the present. As does say, you know, live in the now.
We try to do that anyway. So anyway, I'm excited
to talk more about the NSL and upcoming shows, so
(17:29):
stay tuned for that. Thank you again for Canada Soccer
for allowing us to sit in on that press conference,
and also to Scott, the great Des Scott, such a
great person and player, brings so much to the game
over the years and continues to do so. So really
really proud and happy for her. And so we're gonna
take a short break. When we come back, we'll be
(17:50):
talking about the other professional women's soccer league here in
North America, the USL Super League. Some great teams, some
great players. We have learn't know of the great players
on this show. In our exclusive interview with Brooklyn FC
midfielder Sam Kruger, be back in a minute. All right,
(18:24):
can you tell I'm excited. I'm excited about this episode.
I'm also excited about all the women saw her going off.
I know, I know, I sound like a broken record,
but it's so true. It's so exciting, and I've been
really enjoying joining and I've been really enjoying the USL
Super League. This season. It's got so there's so many
(18:46):
ups and downs. It started in August of twenty four.
It goes through the end of May twenty five, so
that they have like a little break in the wintertime
and they come back. But if you haven't had a
chance to watch some of those matches, the USL Super League,
even though it's the season, is pretty much wrapping up.
It'll be starting up again in a few months. Get
(19:08):
If you don't have Peacock, I highly recommend get a
subscription to Peacock. They show all the games, they show
all the replays. They have a great they have great
broadcasting teams, and I just think they're doing a super
job there. And one of the teams I've kind of
latched onto that I really enjoyed watching has been Brooklyn FC.
Who knew there'd be a women's soccer team, professional women's
(19:30):
soccer team playing in Brooklyn and in so many other
small towns that the USL has like embraced these small
towns or not, you know, smaller towns, not like huge
cities like like you know, Portland and Seattle and LA
and stuff. The USL Super League has kind of dialed
down as far as like just community and even though
(19:53):
it's on the same it's on the same tiers NDOWSL
and you know, they considered a Division one but above
semi pro, so we were talking about a full fledged
professional women's soccer league. So and we'll go through. I'll
go through the teams real quick so that you can
get kind of understanding. Of course, Brooklyn Carolina Ascent in Charlotte,
(20:15):
North Carolina, Dallas Trinity's playing in Dallas, Texas, the DC
Power play at Washington, d C, Fort Lauderdale, Lexington SC
Sporting Club Jacksonville and Jacksonville, Florida, and then Tampa Bay
Sun in Tampa. And then our loan our lone West
Coast team, the Spokane Zephyr FC playing at one Spokane Stadium,
(20:41):
little five thousand seat stadium, but Spokane, I hear, is
very excited to have a team there. And you know,
it's a lot of travel for them. You know, they
got to travel back East a lot. But I think
that it's working out. It's working out because they've just
I don't know, they're squeezing their way into the playoffs
right now. We're in to about that a little bit.
(21:02):
But first let's talk about Brooklyn FC. I really enjoyed
watching Brooklyn FC this season. They were ups and downs.
They I thought they were just steamrolling last summer through
the league and then they hit a little bump in
the road. They ended up replacing their coach very recently.
They didn't have a win in the second half of
(21:25):
the season until very recently. And you know, so hit
hard times, which is good for a team, right especially
a young team. They haven't been together very long. You
want to go through some of those hard times. You
don't want to go through that at the end of
the season like they have. But it seems like every
time they make an adjustment, every time something happens and
(21:45):
they do make a change, it works, and I think
this has worked with some changes that they've made very recently,
and they brought in a couple of new players and
they started winning and this you know, they had to
win the recent game that they had against Spokane Zephyr
in order to make that playoff cut. They still have
a slim chance as of this recording, but it looks
(22:08):
like it's kind of out of their hands. And you
never want to go into the playoffs like that, right
when something's and you're depending on other teams to do
different things. But despite all that, there's still a fun
team to watch. I mean, like I said, they've battled
through some challenges. They got through them. They're braving the
changes and adjustments on and off the field, and it
just makes the team a very exciting team to watch.
(22:30):
And plus they're in Brooklyn, eh, you know. I mean,
it's got some weight to it and some responsibility too
at the same time. And so I really am excited
to share this interview with you that I have with,
like I said, one of the more exciting players midfielders
to play in the league, Sam Krueger. She's here to
talk about the league, the team, the paths now for
(22:53):
young women's soccer, players so much more. And like I said,
she's got such an interesting backstory that I know that
you're gonna love hearing from her. So without further ado,
let's hear from this exciting young player. Please welcome from
Brooklyn FC midfielder Sam Kroger. Hi, Sam, thank you so
much for coming on the show. It's exciting to see
(23:15):
the USL Super League making an impact on women's professional soccer,
not just here in the States but all over the world.
As we're seeing international players come in and as you know,
international coaches and so and Brooklyn FC have been a
big contributor to that excitement. And so we're super happy
to have the opportunity to talk to you. And I
feel like I have a lot of questions for you,
(23:38):
maybe two of me. So before we talk about the
team and all the great things that are happening over
at Brooklyn FC, tell us a little bit about yourself,
your background, and when did you discover soccer.
Speaker 6 (23:53):
Yeah, so, first off, thanks for having me. It's a pleasure.
A little bit about myself. I grew up in Northern Jersey,
a little town.
Speaker 7 (24:01):
Called West Milford.
Speaker 6 (24:03):
Started my soccer career pretty early, mainly because I couldn't
really sit still, and my mom wanted me to be
I guess just active during my during my youth. So
we tried a whole different bunch of sports, and soccer
ended up being the one that fit, and then the
rest is kind of history. But it's funny because during
(24:26):
my I guess travel days, my mom actually got to
coach me for a little bit and everyone I guess
on the sidelines and parents were like, she should probably
move up in club and get more experience and compete
at a higher level.
Speaker 7 (24:41):
And my mom was obviously being a mom, was like, oh,
I'm not really sure this and that.
Speaker 6 (24:46):
So that's how kind of my soccer career started. But yeah,
I grew up on a lake, so I did basically
any any sport you can think of on a lake,
and then my mom was an empty on the ski mountains.
I've been skiing and snowboarding for many years.
Speaker 1 (25:04):
Wow, that is so cool. You know, I have to
ask you this because every time I talk to somebody
from Jersey, I always have to ask this because so
many professional women's soccer players come out of Jersey and
it's not that big, you know. Here, I'm in California,
like you could play year round, right, And I know,
like back East is a different story, But why is
that cultivated that girls soccer in New Jersey? I mean,
(25:26):
what's happening there?
Speaker 6 (25:28):
Yeah, I think it's just the amount of different opportunities
in Jersey. Obviously, the biggest club in New Jersey is PDA,
and I think that there's a lot of growth and
development from the youth players that come out of PDA,
so big props to them. And I think that I
actually didn't play for PDA, played for World Class.
Speaker 7 (25:47):
In New York State. Yeah, I think it's just a.
Speaker 6 (25:50):
Different mentality in New Jersey. Obviously it's a smaller state,
but it has a lot of potential with the growth
of women's sports and especially women's soccer in that state.
Speaker 1 (26:00):
Sure does. Was there a certain moment in your life
in your childhood that you can you can point to
where you were like, yes, I want I want to
be a professional soccer player. I don't want to be
a professional snowboarder. I want to be a professional.
Speaker 6 (26:15):
I think as just I guess the middle of my
club career, I think that was the time where I
was developing and also I had a lot of fun,
So I think that just having fun while also developing,
I guess grew interests in myself, and then that's when
I kind of wanted to pursue soccer as a collegiate
(26:37):
career and then also in hopes of the professional career,
which I've done this year as.
Speaker 7 (26:43):
My rookie year.
Speaker 6 (26:44):
So it's been a great process so far, and I've
enjoyed every step of the journey so far.
Speaker 1 (26:49):
Did you ever play for the US soccer youth team?
Speaker 7 (26:53):
Yeah?
Speaker 6 (26:53):
So I went through the U fourteenth through the U twenties,
and then once COVID hit, I kind of fizzled out
of that system, but I was in their pretty consistent
way from the fourteenth to the twenties.
Speaker 1 (27:06):
Oh okay, I thought, so, you know, I was. I
didn't know if I, like I remembered you from Rutgers,
but I kind of had a feeling you also played
at the youth level, just so that our listeners may
know you from that from either your the youth team
or or Wretgers, and you had a great college career there.
How did plane We'll focus on your college career. How
(27:28):
did play in college soccer? And like a great women's
soccer school at Wreutgers. How did that experience help you
with your growth in your development?
Speaker 6 (27:39):
Obviously, being a student athlete, it requires a lot of
time management, and I think that's one skill that I
took out of college and basically brought it to the
professional career.
Speaker 7 (27:51):
Being a student athlete is hard, and I think that
you go through a.
Speaker 6 (27:54):
Lot of mental challenges, and I think that overcoming those
is like a big It's a big reward, even though
it doesn't feel like it in the moment, but I
think that all the challenges that we face in colleges,
even the smallest ones throughout our daily lives, it brings
us to I guess, a better spot mentally in a
(28:14):
long run. Because it is a hard It is a
hard job. I mean, yeah, it comes with a lot
of challenges, but it is very rewarding when you overcome them,
and I guess see progress in a way.
Speaker 1 (28:28):
I might ask you about that a little bit later too,
as we talk about the different pathways for younger players
to get into the pros. But I'm sure that you're
still growing and improving. We never we never stop, especially
especially you as a professional athlete. What are some of
the things within your own game that you constantly work on,
or that you're working on right now.
Speaker 6 (28:48):
Yeah, I think this year has been a year of growth.
I was not technically a six holding the fielder coming.
Speaker 7 (28:57):
Out of college.
Speaker 6 (28:58):
Actually played the winger in college and then I got
a little time in the midfield, but my main position
in college was actually the seven or the eleven. But
I think that this year, yeah, has definitely taught me
in the aspect of a six. It requires a lot
of communication, and I'm not the loudest person on the field,
and I'm more introverted in my daily life. Just off
(29:21):
the pitch, I'm more reserved and quieter, but once you
obviously get to know me, I can talk. But I
think that the communication aspect has been a big piece
of my game that I've been trying to grow this year,
especially being in the central of the field and seeing
a lot of things that other players higher.
Speaker 7 (29:39):
Up the field don't see.
Speaker 6 (29:40):
So I think that that's one thing that I've been
really honed in on this year, and I think that
it's grown and I've definitely become more vocal, but obviously
there's a lot of growth in that area. And then
I think just in general, having a good relationship with
my back line and helping them get out of pressure
with like the different angles that I give myself to
them to support them to go forward or just keep
(30:02):
the ball in possession. So I think that those are
two main things that I've been trying to focus on
and just do the one percent every single day, so
it doesn't have to be a lot of progress, but
I think the one percent one percent is better than.
Speaker 1 (30:14):
Nothing, So it's a gradual thing. I think that's great
for a lot of young kids to hear because even
playing at this level, you are always improving or you're
looking at something that maybe I can be a little
and introverts can be leaders. I always say that, like, yes,
the introverts, there's it's a different skill set. You just
can't be out there loud because that's not who you are.
(30:34):
So you got to find out how do I how
do I become It's interesting to me there's plenty of that.
There's plenty in the professional Women's league, that's for sure,
in converts who are the leaders. There's a way to
do it. So we'll be watching your progress on So
thank you. So, like I said earlier, you know Brooklyn FC,
they're making a huge impact on the league already in
(30:56):
so many ways, And from your point of view, what
makes this team special are different maybe than other teams
that you've been on.
Speaker 7 (31:03):
I think just the camaraderie.
Speaker 6 (31:05):
We've obviously been through a lot eight months ago or
however long we started to go. But I think that
the camaraderie and just the chemistry we've built off the
field has definitely helped our success on the field. And
I think, like the people have made this place so
special and I'm really grateful and proud to be a
part of it for the inaugural sees, the inaugural season
(31:27):
for Brooklyn and the USL. So I think that, yeah,
just the relationships we've built with each player and also
just this coaching staff has been great.
Speaker 7 (31:36):
You don't see a.
Speaker 6 (31:36):
Lot of what we have on this team in other teams,
and I think that it's something special that we need
to not take for granted, because, yeah, a lot of
teams that I've played on don't have.
Speaker 7 (31:49):
This much chemistry, and like it does really.
Speaker 6 (31:52):
Make a difference on the field. Just everyone supporting you
and knowing that we have each other's backs is like
super crucial in terms of like when we make decisions,
and if we decide to press and if it gets broken,
like we know that everyone will have each other's back.
So I think that's a really special part that this
team has developed, and I'm excited to see where it goes.
Speaker 1 (32:12):
It's you know, I'm glad that you said that because
I noticed, like on watching on Peacock obviously, but social
media and online, it seems like this group is very tight.
I think that's unusual. I'm like, is this team has
only been together for you know, I don't know how
long a minute, you know, and that's kind of unusual.
Do you have like an idea of what what you
attribute that to.
Speaker 6 (32:31):
I think it's everyone buying in. Obviously, it's the first
year in this club, and not everything's gonna be perfect.
Speaker 7 (32:38):
So I think that we just all bought.
Speaker 6 (32:40):
Into our goals in our mindset, and I think that, yeah,
that carried on throughout the first half the season and
this half the season, even though we have been through
some few bumps in the road, but I think that, yeah,
we're still locked in. We have a game plan for
each game, and we're focused on the next game. So
I think that we take each game one at a time.
But I think that, yeah, we're all pretty locked in
(33:02):
from the start, which has helped a lot in our success,
and I think that, yeah, that's a really special part
that this group has.
Speaker 1 (33:09):
That something else that you guys did earlier this season,
which I thought was very cool as you went to
Italy and you got to train and play against a
Syria team. Can you tell us about that experience and
what you took away from that.
Speaker 7 (33:22):
Yeah, Italy was great.
Speaker 6 (33:24):
I've personally never been, but I've been to a few
other countries in Europe, but I think that it was
a great experience for all of us. There's been a
few of our teammates who haven't been abroad or haven't
left the country, so for them it was like this
whole new experience and everything was like super exciting for them,
and it was great to see everyone just excitement around
(33:47):
Italy and just a different culture of football and also
just the way that they live. It's an eye opener
to see a different country and obviously the different football
country the football culture, especially because they're obviously the Europeans
are I guess their focus it is a lot on
technical ability versus like the physicality of the game, and
(34:10):
I think that when we played I don't even know
who we played.
Speaker 7 (34:13):
Napoly, they we could tell that they.
Speaker 6 (34:16):
Were very good on the ball and just very technical
and patient and build up and they had a lot
of off ball movement, so things that we're trying to
incorporate in Brooklyn we saw when we played Napoly, which
was like really exciting to see, and we had some
good moments in the game, and obviously we didn't have
the result that we wanted, but I think that just
seeing a different team in a different league was good
(34:39):
preparation for our spring spring season. And I think that yeah,
just obviously we had a lot of pasta pizza, just
like getting the full culture in US, and I think
that we embraced it all and it was it was
obviously a long it felt like a long trip, but
I think that it was It was definitely helpful in
(34:59):
terms of of even just like players who want to
play overseas, like they knew if it was for them
or if they had interest, if they wanted to pursue
that in the future.
Speaker 7 (35:09):
But yeah, it was a great trip. I loved it.
Speaker 1 (35:12):
Yeah, I would imagine, wow, just the experience of it,
did you do you ever think about that about going
overseas to play.
Speaker 6 (35:19):
Yeah, I've definitely that's been like my long term goal.
I think that I wanted to put my foot in
the door in the NWSL and obviously the USL, and
I might have my goal of like maybe potentially finishing
my career overseas. I still have a lot to grow
in my game, and I think that this year has
(35:39):
definitely helped me in terms of where my mindset needs
to be before going overseas.
Speaker 7 (35:44):
So I think that it's helped me a lot.
Speaker 6 (35:46):
But I definitely do want to play overseas. My family
is first and second generation from Germany, so I think
that it'll definitely be like second home if I end
up in Germany. But yeah, anywhere in Europe I'm definitely
interested in.
Speaker 1 (36:00):
So Cool Well, we'll have to keep an eye on,
you know, then fron Bundesliga.
Speaker 7 (36:05):
Yeah, Brooklyn going back.
Speaker 1 (36:06):
Home, We'll stay in Brooklyn. Right now, they really embrace
this team. I feel that like that just doesn't it
doesn't just happen, you know, especially with women's soccer. It's
it's intentional, and you guys are really going out in
the community, You're getting you're getting involved you're bringing the
fans close to you. Tell us about some of the
things that you're doing in the community and what causes
(36:27):
are you involved with that you are most passionate about.
Speaker 6 (36:30):
Yeah, I know that we did a book clubs in
the beginning half of the season, helping kids out and
just like coaching them through different drills, different games. And
I think that, yeah, just getting out in the community
is super important. Uh, they do so much for us
and we want to do the same to them. And
I obviously being in New York City, like everyone dreams
(36:51):
of playing in a big city, and it's obviously one
of the most famous cities in the world. So I
think that having a women's team is like super important,
especially just like for the growth of the game, like
and having opportunities for younger kids to hopefully potentially play.
Speaker 7 (37:08):
For Brooklyn FC one day.
Speaker 6 (37:09):
And I think that putting our name out is like
super important. The earlier you start, the better it is
to build relationships, build different with connections, And it's all
about connections in terms of the sports world, because it's
a big stage, but it's a small world.
Speaker 1 (37:24):
At the same time, I always say that women's soccer
is a very small world. Even though it's expanding, it's
like it's very, very small. There's always this grassroots feel
about it, even at the professional levels. It's so crazy.
I used to say, like when is it going to
stop being grassroots and when is it just going to
be like professional? But now I feel like grassroots is
like it's not amateur. Grassroots is like real, right, it's
(37:47):
like community and getting involved in And so I think
that that's I've had to like switch my thinking there.
It's like grassroots is good, doesn't happen? And plus, you
guys have like the greatest gear two. Like I'm like,
I'm on the store right now, I'm gonna get a
shirt because I have to rep Brooklyn here in California.
(38:08):
I always say, when New York has a team, we
all have a team. Yes, that's the way it is.
Why do you think because we have an audience. We
have a worldwide audience, so people listen from all over
the world. But but it's important to have women's sports
in Brooklyn.
Speaker 7 (38:23):
Yeah, it's a.
Speaker 6 (38:24):
Big city and there's different boroughs, and I think that
Brooklyn was a great one to choose from. I think
it covers a lot of on the right East side
of Manhattan. Obviously, the market is so big yet so
small in New York, and it's hard to as we
have experienced, hard to find a field just to train
on because it has to go through a lot of
(38:45):
different It can't just be a yes from one person.
It has to be a yes from multiple different people.
There's like state and city regulations, and then there's if
the land is private or public, so we have to
go through a whole series of processes is to get
things approved here. And I think that just having a
team in Brooklyn and the people who live in Brooklyn,
(39:06):
there's a variety of different ethnicities. Being in Brooklyn has
helped them just kind of connect with a team and
still find the joy and love in soccer. And I
think that that has definitely been like inspiring to see
and just the people When we wear Brooklyn shirts, we
get a few questions sometimes and they're.
Speaker 7 (39:27):
Like, oh, what's this about, and we.
Speaker 8 (39:30):
I guess we get to tell more people about us
because it is a special city and obviously the people
from New York have obviously pride playing here.
Speaker 6 (39:41):
So I think that, yeah, it's definitely been an enjoying
process of the journey and I'm hoping to obviously spread
more word about Brooklyn FC and in the future weeks, months,
and years, hopefully we'll have a big fan group in
the in the upcoming years.
Speaker 1 (39:57):
Yeah, it's a growth, it's a process, but yeah, it's
I think it's just great. Especially why being able to
watch the games too on TV and see the backdrop
of Coney Island. I'm like, I got to get back there,
Like that looks so much fun, so much fun. I
don't know about the weather, but it does look fun. Yeah,
I know. So, Like we were said before, you know,
(40:19):
there's so many different paths that players can get to
the pros these days. It's not just one way anymore.
Remember it used to be just one way. Now expansion
in the USL Super League and the NWSL, you know,
leagues are expanding overseas, and I just think the options
are just crazy. And the elimination of the college draft,
I think that that's going to affect the collegiate game
(40:40):
as well. What do you tell young girls who are
looking at all these options and are like, my gosh,
what what paths do I take? What do you say, like,
what when a kid's like, what path is right for me?
Speaker 6 (40:51):
Yeah, I think that obviously it's very now that things
are changing and everything is kind of moving very quickly,
I think that it can be overwhelming and for my process.
I obviously I entered the first draft and the last draft,
so I was it was a good I had fun
during that process, but I think now that not having it.
(41:14):
There's obviously pros and coms to every decision that you make.
But I think that when kids ask like which path is,
I don't think there's necessarily a right or wrong path.
You have to take the path that is speaking to
your heart and just go with it and not make
any regrets. Some people might overthink things and like be
(41:37):
like is this for me?
Speaker 7 (41:38):
Is this not for me?
Speaker 6 (41:39):
But I think that if there's any opportunities that come
your way, just take it, ride with it, honestly and
take any any moment to grow as much as you can,
both as a person and as a player. And I
think that if you do those things, if you work hard,
if you get along with the players and staff, think
good things will come. People might like be rushing into things,
(42:02):
but I think you just have to be patient and
the right timing will come. Yeah, my process to Brooklyn
wasn't easy.
Speaker 7 (42:09):
I had to be I had.
Speaker 6 (42:10):
To be patient, and it wasn't obviously fun waiting and
not being on a team and being in the middle
of like the unknown in the gray area. But I
think that it was a perfect opportunity for myself, just
as a rookie year.
Speaker 7 (42:24):
If there's any opportunity that comes your way.
Speaker 6 (42:26):
I think my biggest saying is take any opportunity that
comes your way and just work hard and take any
information from players, coaches, staff. Yeah, just be a sponge
because the more info you can take and apply to
your game, I think, the better and that'll help with
your success.
Speaker 1 (42:45):
I love that listen to people because sometimes especially with
young kids, you know, it's like they don't sometimes don't know,
but it's hard for them, especially if they're playing at
a really high level, to kind of listen to people.
It's like listen to your coaches, you know, to you know,
listen to what other people have to say. Listen to
Sam isn't someone who's out. You're I mean, you're like young,
it's still young, and you've got your whole future ahead
(43:08):
of you. And yeah, that college draft I went to
a few and some of them are really exciting, but
I was like, you know, there's only forty players picked.
You know, you know that there's like this doesn't seem right.
So now they have a little bit more control. So
I guess that's good. I just I'm curious to see
what it's going to do with the college game though,
because like you Sae, college, I mean, college isn't for
(43:28):
everybody that said, but the skills that you took from
college or you know, stay with you for the rest
of your life, even beyond soccer. So yeah, so's it'll
be interesting to see what what happens with the women's game.
But it's you know, everything is happening in the way
it's supposed to. And I think even like a team
like Brooklyn and in the league now it's like, you know,
(43:51):
the sky's the limit. I think on the opportunities. It's
so great to talk to you, Sam. I feel like
I can talk to you a couple more hours and
you're like, nokay, please, but let me ask you, like, so,
what are some of the things that you'd like to
accomplish both on the field and off the field if
you're looking at your whole career ahead of you.
Speaker 6 (44:11):
On the field, becoming a more vocal six is my
my goal, and long term, I think becoming a six
that can also attack and score goals and the sky's
the limit. Like you said, I think that anyone can score,
and I think just getting myself into great positions to
be able to score is my goal in the future,
(44:34):
short term, in both long term.
Speaker 7 (44:35):
Would you say off the field.
Speaker 1 (44:37):
Yeah, like beyond, Like do you ever look, I know
you're so young right now, you're just looking at your
soccer career, but like maybe like in the future, like
maybe you want to like go into you know, take
your degree and do something or do something work, you know,
something off the field. I guess yeah.
Speaker 6 (44:50):
I have a sport management degree, and I think I
would like or love to stay within the sports realm.
Does it necessarily have to be soccer?
Speaker 8 (45:01):
I love all.
Speaker 6 (45:01):
Sports, so I think that if I can expand my
knowledge with other sports, great. If I stay within the
soccer world obviously even better since I'm more most familiar
with it.
Speaker 7 (45:13):
I've thought about coaching.
Speaker 6 (45:15):
I'm not sure at what level I would like to coach,
but I would be interested in that in the long term.
I've had a few experiences with just doing like little
clinics with like younger kids, so I wouldn't be opposed
to that. And then my family owns a little ski
shop in Northern Jerseys. Obviously it's a seasonal job, but
(45:37):
maybe take on that role in the winters leading up
into the spring. But yeah, just anything within the sports realm,
I would love to stay in the future and long term,
potentially when I finish my career.
Speaker 7 (45:49):
I love sports.
Speaker 6 (45:50):
I love women's sports, especially It's been growing and it's
been so exciting to see the growth. Obviously there's a
ton to go, but yeah, just seeing it with the
NCAA basketball tournament this past few weeks has been so
great and so inspiring. I think that just seeing the
vast numbers that watched the game, both in person and online,
(46:13):
has been The numbers have been increasing significantly, so I'm
excited for that. But yeah, just within the spelt sports
realm I would love to stay in.
Speaker 1 (46:23):
Do you ever tell a coach that you're going to scheme.
Speaker 6 (46:26):
I've had to stay away from it this past winter,
which is very hard to do. I'm not gonna lie,
but I did do it. I accomplished it, and I
kind of just stayed close to my mom to make
sure that she didn't let me lose, don't let me scheme.
I know she went on some ski trips and I
(46:47):
was very jealous of her, but I knew just obviously
soccer is my job and my career, so I have
to stay away from it. But I would have loved
to this winter, but I contained myself.
Speaker 1 (47:00):
Maybe you can do those virtual ones.
Speaker 6 (47:03):
Yeah, it's very very different.
Speaker 7 (47:05):
I love. I love just like skiing in the trees.
Speaker 6 (47:08):
It's very freeing and obviously the nature part of it
is awesome and fresh air. But yeah, for my safety
and for my career, I stayed away from it, which
I'm very proud of because.
Speaker 7 (47:23):
That was very hard to do.
Speaker 1 (47:24):
We appreciate it, of course. Sam, thank you so much
for taking the time to talk with us. We're going
to keep an eye on Brooklyn FC, the US All
Super League, and you and your career. We appreciate you.
Know all that you do and all that you're doing
within the community, and when you are reaching for your dreams,
it's inspiring to those around you. You know, the kids,
(47:47):
even old kids like me, were inspired by you. So
appreciate that heart, right, We appreciate you. Thank you for
coming on sharing your story with us.
Speaker 6 (47:56):
Of course, thanks for having me you it was great.
Speaker 1 (47:59):
So sorry to hear from Sam. Every time I watch
Brooklyn Playboy, they call her name like thousands of times.
It seems like she's always around the ball, She's always
making plays. She's a definite playmaker. She said, she wins
the ball. And you know, like I said, she's small
and mighty. She's just like this is the Small and
Mighty Show and Des Scott and Sam Krueger on hosted
(48:23):
by your your fellow five two and shrinking host here.
But yeah, so I'm excited about Brooklyn. Even if they
don't make the playoffs this season, I'm going to be
excited to watch them next season and see where they go.
These players in the USL Super League are on fire.
I mean, they're so fun to watch. They've got a mission.
(48:46):
They don't play like they're the NWSL's little sister or
anything like that. They are full fledged professional soccer players.
And there's a lot of top name players in the league,
including friend of the show Sit Schneider. We had her
on a few years ago, I hush, I think like
a year and a half ago. She's playing over at
(49:06):
Tampa Bay Sun along with Dommy Richardson and Jade Moore.
The England midfielder Ali Cook just joined Spokane sephyr Taylor
Smith and Cameron Brooks are playing at Fort Lauderdale, and
this gives a good Like you heard Sam say, you
know that you have a different pathways to get to
(49:27):
the pros nowadays, and the pros have different ways to play,
And a lot of teams in the NBAW are loaning
players to a lot of these USL Super League teams,
So that's great too. That's what we want, right We
want all the leagues to work together and give these
elite athletes a way to play, continue to play, continue
(49:48):
to live out their dreams like Sam Kruger living out
her dreams. And oh and by the way, if you
missed what Sam said about skiing, I was I talked
over her like I often do. Actually, if you didn't
catch it on that interview, she actually is under contract
that she can't ski or snowboard while the season's going on,
So that's why she was saying she's been really good,
(50:09):
especially during the break, she was really good not to
ski or snowboard. And I always think that's fascinating, you know,
I mean, these players have lives outside of the sport
that they play, but they are professionals and they have
to keep healthy right on and off the field. So
great to hear from Sam. I just want to clarify
that because I was talking over and I was like,
oh day, you can't hear the part where she said that.
(50:31):
So little bit about the league, Like I said, it
started on August seventeenth, two thousand and four. It concludes
on May thirty first, twenty twenty five, and then the
playoffs will follow with the first round on the weekend
of June seventh, twenty twenty five, and then the final
will be played on June fourteenth, twenty twenty five. I'll
be tuning in on Peacock and watching that game. Whoever
(50:55):
it is, will Brooklyn be there, I don't know, we'll see,
but like I said, it's it doesn't matter. It's still fun.
All the teams are fun, and I really highly recommend
that you that you tune in if you haven't, or
if you live close to a team, go to a
game and support the team. I have my like I said,
(51:16):
I have my Brooklyn FC shirt on. I'm repping the
team all the way here in California. You gotta keep
it going. I like to wear it out. I want
to see if I get any I'm gonna wear it
out today. I'm gonna see if I get any comments.
It gives me an opportunity to talk about women's soccer,
which I always love. What I tell you so much,
women's soccer going on, and we'll talk more about, like
I said, the Northern Super League, and then also of
(51:37):
course we'll be talking more about the USL coming up
in future shows and keep you updated on some of
the things that are happening there in the league, and
hopefully we see some cross league play. Won't that be great?
I think that's what we're all hoping for, so really
big thanks again to Sam Kruger for coming on. I
appreciate it. It's always fun to talk to young players
and just so fun, so so fun to watch, so
(52:00):
interesting to hear from, and so many views on playing
soccer in Brooklyn. Such a great thing. I really hope
you enjoyed episode two thirty two of Women's World Football Show.
I would love to know your thoughts on my exclusive
interview with Sam Kruger and also our SoundBite from Des Scott.
So great to hear from both of those players, feel
(52:23):
free to email me at Patty at wwfshow dot com.
I read all the emails that I do my best
replying at timely manner. If you did enjoy this episode,
subscribe now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeartRadio, app, tuned in, castbox, Spreaker,
wwfshow dot com, or wherever you're listening to this right now.
And if you really really enjoy listening to Women's Role
Football Show, one of the best ways you can show
(52:44):
your appreciation is to give us a five star rating
and leave a review wherever you listen. I always love
to know your thoughts and reviews are the best ways
for others to find the show. Also, another way to
help grow the show and grow this beautiful game that
we love is to tell your friends and family about
Women's World Football Show. If you're listening on a mobile device,
swipe over the cover art and you'll find the episode notes,
including some details you may have missed. For relative links
(53:07):
from this episode, visit our show notes on wwfshow dot com.
Connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok at WWF Show.
Women's World Football Show is hosted, written, edited and produced
by Patti Labella. That's me. Additional assistance for this episode
by Canada Soccer, Zach Hawk and Sam Kruger at Brooklyn FC.
And thank you, especially you for joining me on this
(53:29):
exciting journey through women's football. Stay strong, stay mindful, keep
loving your heart. We'll see y'all next time.
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