USL Feature Series: Keep an Eye on This Girl
During the next few months USLsoccer.com will highlight the on-the-field stars of the W-League by getting to know their personalities off the field. Up next: Becky Sauerbrunn of D.C. United Women and the U.S. Women’s National Team. Her time with the national team began in 2008 when she made the senior team for the first time and started in a match against Canada. She made the U.S. roster again in 2010, and played in five games, including three starts during the qualifying round of the FIFA Women’s World Cup. She is best known for cracking the U.S. starting lineup in last summer’s FIFA Women’s World Cup semifinal win against France, where she helped anchor a defense that held the world’s sixth-ranked team to one goal on seven on-target shots. Sauerbrunn will be in and out of national team camps during the run-up to the London Olympics.
Full name: Rebecca Elizabeth Sauerbrunn
Club: D.C. United Women
Head Coach: Mike Jorden
Born: June 6, 1985 in St. Louis, Missouri
Nickname: Becky, Reebs, Reeba
Position: Defender - central or outside
Inspired me the most: Watching the 1999 Women’s World Cup on my living room floor and thinking it was the coolest thing I’d ever seen.
Playing strengths: Reading the game early and positioning myself in good areas.
Needs a bit of work: Long-range distribution
Favorite player: Paolo Maldini
Tell us about your coach: Mike Jorden - understanding, approachable, likable
Biggest career highlight: Playing in the semi-final match against France in the 2011 Women’s World Cup.
Biggest practical joker: On the national team it’s Heather Mitts, hands down.
Advice I would give to young girls following in my footsteps: Take advantage of any opportunities you get, often times they are few and far between so you have to be prepared when your moment comes.
I’m stranded on a small island. Five things I’d want with me: Since I wouldn’t wish being stranded on an island on anyone I’m going strictly inanimate objects here - sunscreen, ipad (with unlimited books, movies, music, and games), weapon (for hunting), beach attire, satellite communications device.
Tunes I’m listening to: Songs from Lady Antebellum, Jessie J, Parachute, One Republic
Best movie seen recently: The Avengers
Retro item I wish would make a comeback: Superhero lunch-boxes (you can tell a lot about a person from what superhero they pick)
Favorite movie: Shawshank Redemption
Describe yourself in five words: Persistent, thoughtful, disciplined, dependable, sarcastic
Finish this!
I can’t get enough of… hanging with my boyfriend, my family, and my friends.
I spend my money on… restaurants, movies, books, and clothes.
My fashion style is… urban casual.
Technology and social media is… a fun way to connect with the world if not taken too seriously.
Over time I’ve learned… to focus on what I can control and not stress over that which I can’t.
Sometimes I need to… get away from everything and spend some time recharging on my own Every day I try to…enjoy the little things.
I’m thankful for… the support I receive from everybody in my life.
My biggest influence… all the people who have helped me get where I am today, I don’t want to disappoint them.
I used to… stress the small stuff, now I can let things go more easily.
I always… read a book when I need to take my mind off soccer for a bit.
I have a friend… whose strength is truly inspiring and reminds me every day to be thankful for what I have.
I play a bit like… a midfielder.
If I wasn’t playing soccer I’d be… a coach or teacher, movie critic by night
In five years I see myself… still playing soccer, living the dream