BECKY SAUERBRUNN

Winning the World Cup is definitely the highlight of my career. I thought the gold medal at the Olympics would peak it, but winning the World Cup, the reception... it's what we all dreamed of when we were little.

A lot of sport is being comfortable with being uncomfortable.

When it comes down to it, it's about putting the players on the field that will be the best 11.

I'm very hard on myself. I think that drives me because I don't want to let people down or let myself down. That fear of failing drives me from being complacent.

The past doesn't matter. Take today.

I always have oatmeal before training or a match. It's easy on the stomach, offers so many vitamins and minerals, and is slow-burning, so it won't leave me hungry at half-time.

It's lucky I haven't been in a bad tackle. I could be prepared, but if my body gets wrenched in the wrong way, I can't help that.

Anytime that you're getting games in, you're going to get better.

The women's national team is a very successful team, and that success has given us a platform to speak on gender equity issues. Millions of young women play soccer in this country, and it's empowering for them to see that our contribution to the game is valued.

Success doesn't motivate me as much as integrity does. Everyone loses. I enjoy the pressure of showing up every single day, being focused, putting forth my best effort, getting the best out of my teammates, and enjoying the journey.

If I could play a game and not have to tackle, I know that I did everything right. I organized everyone the right way, read every play the right way.

Anything you train can be improved upon. If you do it over and over again, your body is going to remember these moves and not be surprised in the game.

If you've done the work, done the training sessions, when you go into these games, you should feel ready. All you can ask is, 'Did you do your best, and try your best,' and then what happens, happens.

The game can be quite dangerous when you look at certain injuries, especially head injuries.

The way I play, it's very much more a mental game than a physical game. I'm looking for space and where are players leaving space. Defensively, where are we at numerical disadvantages? Do I shift more to the left because they have more players on their right side? It's about reading the game before the game happens.

It's almost ludicrous that I'm playing a game and getting paid for it. I'm just going to ride it as long as I can.

I wasn't shuffling from one sport to the next that much. I had downtime to just be a high school student.

I think everyone, including myself, was pretty surprised the first Freedom goal came from me. So when I think about that goal, all I can really do is laugh at the incredibility of it.

Defenders don't really get any sort of notoriety or anything like that.

When I'm on the field, I don't want to be worrying about my cleats. I want them to enhance my playing style.

There's no justification to not be paid the same as the men. We do everything the men do.

A lot of young women play soccer, and it's wonderful to give them something to aspire to.

When I started with the national team, it was made very clear I was going to be the backup to Christie Rampone and Rachel Buehler. So for the first few years, it was just me training my heart out and pushing those centerbacks to be the best they could be.

It's a rare treat to be able to play in front of friends and family.

A man's foot is wider, so when I would wear men's cleats, my foot would be sliding inside of it, so it's nice to be secure because then your body's not compensating, and you're not getting injuries.