Category: Interviews

“Don’t be Afraid to Dream” An interview with Raquel Rodriguez

Posted on by RJ Allen

After seven weeks, the NWSL is just a few games away from the half season mark. Some of the rookies of NWSL 2016 draft class have seen considerable playing time in these last several weeks. One prominent rookie that stands out is Raquel ‘Rocky’ Rodriguez.

For those unfamiliar with Rodriguez there’s a few soccer tidbits you should know. She has been playing with the Costa Rican National Team since she was a teenager, and in 2015 helped the team reach the FIFA World Cup for the first time in team history. During a group stage match against Spain, Rodriguez made history again, netting the team’s first ever World Cup goal. After the international tourney, Rodriguez returned to Penn State University and helped the Nittany Lions win their first ever National Title in the NCAA College Cup. Penn State defeated Duke 1-0, with Rodriguez scoring the game’s victory goal.

After being selected 2nd overall in the NWSL draft, Rodriguez has settled into the league. When Sky Blue FC visited Chicago to face the Red Stars, she spoke with us about a few of her favorite things: Soccer and ice cream.

Backline Soccer (BS): I want to congratulate you on your first season with NWSL. How do you feel you are adapting to the league?

Raquel Rodríguez (RR): Thank You! I feel like I’m doing ok. I really like the tone that every match you don’t really know who is going to win. There’s differences in a lot of other leagues, and I think that Sky Blue is really forming. We’re a bit of a new group with a lot of rookies and we’re growing throughout trainings and such, but I think we are establishing elements that a team needs – but that takes time. I think that we’re on the right path, and as the season goes on the idea is to always improve and I think we are demonstrating that.

BS: You’re young but you have a lot of experiences playing with Costa Rica. You’re a Mac Hermann Trophy winner and won a National Title with Penn State. Why did you choose to play in the NWSL instead of a club or league in Europe?

RR:  Well the main reason was that at the time I hadn’t completed my college career, and I had taken time for training and NWSL is perfect for that because its only six months a year and after the season I can use that time for international training. I also had certain feelings about it because I am more familiar with the United States as opposed to overseas. There were all types of things that came into play, right? And I am just really grateful, first, to God for opening the doors for Sky Blue, and second to Sky Blue for confiding and believing in me.

BS: Can you speak a bit about your experiences in the World Cup with Costa Rica?

RR: It was a very unique experience. I always say it was a dream come true. Especially because it was the first World Cup for Costa Rica participated in. It was very symbolic of many years of fighting for women’s football in Costa Rica. I am sure that we’re not the only country fighting for more popularity and more support. But that World Cup I felt was the closing of a difficult chapter with ignorance towards women’s game in Costa Rica. I also felt it was the beginning of another chapter of growth, and development of women’s soccer. All in all, it was a very emotional time and amazing experience for all of us.

BS: Do you feel more support with the Costa Rican Soccer Federation after this World Cup?

RR: Yes, absolutely. I think the most important thing to come out of it was the communication aspect that has developed between the federation and the players. Ultimately, we appreciate that. We like to know what’s going on regarding the team, and they now do things they may not have done in the past, right? So I think that even the media coverage has now helped. Now they might talk to me or someone like me and report about it. Report about us. It’s no longer just about the Men’s side, it’s the Women’s side and many other sports as well. So after the World Cup I think it helped create some huge strides.

BS: You’ve have the chance to play with two National captains in your career. Shirley Cruz for Costa Rica, and now on Sky Blue FC, Christie Rampone for the United States. Can you speak about some of their differences or some things they have in common?

RR: Every captain, every leader, is different. They all have their own things. Shirley is a player very passionate, with a lot of courage, and a lot of heart. Those are trademarks of her play. She is the soul of the team she plays for. She’s the soul, the motor. With Christie, she gives you a sense of security just with her presence. She’s the kind of leader who has done a lot of good for the game. She’ll give you one on ones. She’ll observe someone, and grab them and give them some coaching. So to have her on the team is a privilege and great honor. It’s those kinds of examples I’m so grateful to God for.

BS: This question is for the Penn State fans. Do you have a favorite Penn State Creamery flavor?

RR: Ok, I have to say that I love ice cream! Out of all the deserts. I’m going to have to say just vanilla with Oreo. It’s my all-time favorite. You know, but I mean Penn State Creamery, gosh, I had several flavors. I don’t remember them [laughs] but that’s the main one. I can honestly eat any kind, all the time, milkshakes! All the time. But I can’t do that, got to try and keep and shape! [laughs]

BS: That’s so great, we had a writer who did an interview with Ali Krieger who asked the same question but Krieger said the mint chocolate chip. Since you’re Penn State player I had to ask too.

RR: Oh Yeah! Really? Oh the mint chocolate chip! Yeah, that’s sweet.

BS: I have a question for your family. Since the NWSL streams their games on You Tube, is it easy for your family and friends to catch you live and watch your games?

RR: Yes! I think that’s something for cool for my parents and everybody. They’re really happy supporting me and watching the games on the internet, on YouTube.

BS: Finally, do you have any words or advice for any young Latinas out there who maybe watch you in the games and are dreaming or striving to be where you are at this level?

RR: Yes. I don’t know about advice, But I always say to not be scared to dream. Because when I was growing up I had all these dreams and I didn’t always see how they could be possible. I knew that if I wanted to experience those dreams I had to first of all commit my ways to the Lord, because I knew that I wouldn’t, I couldn’t, be able to do it on my own. I just always prayed to god and trusted in my heart that he would have great plans for my life. Second of all just work hard. Do what we can do and when the opportunities come, just don’t be scared. There is always going to be nerves, or being afraid of going to the unknown, but it’s part of the risk we take. If you never take the risk, if you never take the step, you’re not every going to make your dreams come true. Just dare to dream. It doesn’t even have to be soccer. Just don’t be scared to dream.

“No tengan miedo a soñar” Un Entrevista con Raquel Rodriguez

Posted on by RJ Allen

For people who are not familizada with footballer’Rocky’ Raquel Rodriguez, here are some facts of miedocampista of Costa Rica.   She played with Le selection Costa Rica since 2009, and in 2015 the team participated in the premier FIFA World Cup football in Canada. Rodriguez was a historic moment against Spain when he noticed the premier goal for her team in a World Cup. Following story in his college career with Penn State, Rodriguez helped the Nittany Lions to a national title. In the final against Duke the score was 1-0 with Rodriguez putting the goal. The championship was the first national title for the university.

Rodriguez was the second selected by Sky Blue FC to play in the league nwsl player. When Sky Blue FC faced the Chicago Red Stars, Rocky talk to us after the game on nwsl, football in Costa Rica, and his two loves: soccer and ice cream.

Backline Soccer (BS): I mean congratulations on your nwsl season premiere. How are you adapting to the league game?

Raquel Rodriguez (RR): Well, I think the league is pretty intense. I like the fact that every game is not known who will win. There are differences in many other leagues. And I think we are building Blue Sky is a new team with many new people, who are called rookies are starting forming and trained, but I think we are establishing the elements of fairly solid team and that takes time. So I think we are on track, and spend the season as the idea is to keep improving and I think we are showing that.

BS: You’re young, but you have a lot of experience playing for Costa Rica, you’re winning Mac Hermann Trophy and a national title with Penn State. Why did you choose to play in nwsl instead of a European club or league?

RR: Well the main reason is because it has not finished college career and I are still trained and nwsl is perfect because it’s only ifs months a year and then after the season I use that time to train international. It also made sense because I’m better known in the United States rather than Europe or elsewhere. But I think there were several factors, right? And in the end I am very grateful, first, God, for opening the doors with Blue Sky and second by Sky Blue for trusting me and believing in me.

BS: Can you talk about your experience at the World Cup with Costa Rica?

RR: It was a unique experience. I always say it was a dream come true. Because it was only the first World Cup in which Costa Rica participates and is very symbolic that not so many years of struggle for women’s football in Costa Rica. I am sure that we are not the only country that is struggling more and more popularity in football support. But the World think it was the end of a hard cover as there is ignorance in women’s football in Costa Rica and the start of a cover development and women’s football development. So I was very sentimental part of all the experiences we had.

BS: Do you feel more support with the federation after the World Cup?

RR: Yes, of course. I think the most important thing was the communication that has now developed between the federation and the players. At the end those which appreciated. That we know that what is happening and now they do things that did not exist, perhaps, I think the media also have been in fact now, follow me follow me or someone like me, and report. Report of us. It is no longer only men’s soccer, football is feminine and even other sports. Then after I think the world already made gigantados steps.

BS: I played with two national flagships, Shirley Cruz with Costa Rica and Christie Rampone of USA. UU by Sky Blue. Can you talk about the differences or what you have in common with them?

RR: Every captain, each leader is different. It holds its own. Shirley is a very passionate player, with a lot of courage, and a lot of heart. That’s the way to play it shows. She is the soul into the team playing. It is the soul, the motor. Christie alone with his presence gives security. She is the kind of leader who made good in the game and it gives you something one by one. If she sees someone, she grabs the player and gives some tips. Then to have it is an honor, it is a great privilege. They are those things I thank God for giving me such examples.

BS: This is a question for fans of Penn State. There is an ice cream parlor’Penn State Creamery’ What’s your favorite flavor?

RR: Oh, I have to say, I love ice cream! [Laughs] Of all the desserts and sweets, I love ice cream. But with Oreo Vanilla is my favorite. But at Penn State Creamery had many flavors, and I can eat all the flavors! I can take a few shakes every day, but I can not. [Laughs] I have to keep playing shape.

BS: I have a question for your family. Nwsl games are live on YouTube. Your family and friends can see their games on the internet?

RR: Yeah, that’s great for my parents. Everybody. They are excited by the ease to watch the games. On the internet, Youtube, super good.

BS: Can you say a few words or advice for young Latinas who are watching the games on Costa Rica or nwsl on YouTube and want to dream and be like you?

RR: First, I always say, do not be afraid to dream. In my case I had many dreams when I was chiquitita with football. But I understood that God was all that could open the doors, and I also understood that he was even better than I imagined plans. So first I prayed much to the Lord and I will express my feelings trusting Him. And on the other hand, worked hard towards my hand, much discipline, much sacrifice, but always with the goal in my mind. But never be afraid to dream. Not have to be football, you can dream whatever. I’ve always known about types of nerves of fear. But if you do not touch the nerves, we will not know much what we want.

Catching up with Diana Matheson

Posted on by RJ Allen

Before the Spirit’s trip to Portland, I had the chance to catch up with their all-time leading scorer, Diana Matheson.

Backline Soccer (BS): With being here all 4 years, how do you feel the team and the league have grown and matured over the last 4 years?

Diana Matheson (DM): I mean it’s really improved each year both on the field and off the field. We’ve added great professional players every year and have gotten more consistency. Off the field, the league and this team is getting more and more professional.

BS: With the new additions, especially this year, your role has maybe kind of changed a little bit, how do you feel your role has changed on and off the field?

DM: I mean it’s kind of similar to last year, Mark always liked me on the wing as opposed to a midfielder, Jim has started me there most of the time as well, in this league I feel I’ve been more of a forward than a midfielder.

BS: If you could steal any 3 players from other teams and bring them over, who would they be?

DM: I feel like that’s kind of a tricky question. I’m going to go with Kim Little because she is fun to play with but she couldn’t keep number 8, she’d have to change it. Desire Scott, because she’s tough to play against so take her away from Kansas. I don’t have a third, so we’ll leave it at that.

BS: Do you and Krieger, with the upcoming Olympics, have a dinner or anything riding on it?

DM: No, no nothing, no dinners. Everyone’s got enough riding on that already, there doesn’t need to be a side bet.

A Conversation with Ali Krieger

Posted on by RJ Allen

For those of you that are new to women’s soccer, Ali Krieger is one of- if not the- best right backs in the world.For those of you that are new to women’s soccer, Ali Krieger is one of- if not the- best right backs in the world. A veteran of two World Cups, she was part of one of the greatest backlines to every play the game,  and gave us one heck of a summer last year, not to mention that epic penalty kick in 2011 and a load of amazing memories in between.

I was lucky enough to get to snag a few moments of her precious time, after training last week and got to find out what her answer to the most important question ever was, what’s her favorite Penn State ice cream. Ok, I may have asked her about soccer and the Washington Spirit and their awesome start to the season, which are pretty important too.

Backline Soccer (BS): How does it feel being back at right back?

Ali Krieger (AK): So good. I think that playing other positions as well has helped in playing my natural position, because I get more touches on the ball, like playing in midfield last season, I thought that was really fun for me. It was a different experience for me so I think having that, I can apply what I usually do at right back to those positions and get more touches on the ball and get better at that in other positions that I played and kind of get more experience. Of course I’m going play wherever my coach wants to play me and do the best I can. It feels much better to be playing in my natural right back position now.

BS: It seems like you’re becoming more confident in taking shots. Have you been given more freedom with that or is it just the flow of the game?

AK: It’s kind of flowing, I feel like I want to get into attack more and it’s been difficult in this league because the run of play is go-go-go. We’ve tried to calm the game down a little bit, to have possession, in order for me to get forward and I’ve just been finding myself more into the attack recently. But I don’t plan it, no. Against Portland I maybe could have put a couple of headers in. It’s nothing new that I’m doing or changing. I get too excited when I get up there, it’s fun. How to stay calm now, I’ve got to figure that out.

BS: The backline is starting to look like they’re starting to gel together, how do you feel about the progress, especially since game one? With Stephanie being back there now, how is that affecting the adjustments?

AK: It’s good, obviously we only have 2 out of our back 5, as we call it, are the same from last year, so it’s been an adjustment. The other 3 have stepped in and done a tremendous job and we haven’t skipped a beat. I think we’ve moved a few steps forward from where we were last year and having Shelina in there, as well – being a young experienced Canadian National Team player, has really helped. We’re really building off of each game and only allowing one goal in right now has been really great for us and we kind of iron out the details as the game goes on and then we take a look at film and we’re like look this needs to be cleaned up before next game and moving forward in this long season that we have. I think we’ve done a good job so far and now it’s just kind of getting use to each other and getting comfortable playing next to each other, kind of sticking together as a unit, that’s really important. If one of us makes a mistake, we all make a mistake, it’s not one person is leaving the other person out to dry, we’ve really done a good job at being a unit and making sure all of us are on the same page because we do know there are new faces in the backline and it’s so important to be that connected back 5 and that’s huge for any team.

BS: This may be the Penn State kid in me, what is your favorite Creamery flavor?

AK: Mint Chocolate Chip. I haven’t been in a while, it’s newer I think. I have to go back and take a look and stay on top of the flavors and the names, but mint chocolate chip for sure.

(I looked this up, there is Mint Nittany or Bittersweet Mint.)

Catching up with Stephanie Labbé

Posted on by RJ Allen

The Washington Spirit are sitting atop the NWSL standings, having taken 9 out of 9 possible points from their matches with a 3-0 record. Leading up to the Portland game this week, arguably the first real test for the Spirit this season, I was lucky enough to catch up with the new keeper in town, Stephanie Labbé. She was gracious enough to answer a few of my questions after training.

Backline Soccer (BS): What has been the biggest adjustment coming over to the NWSL?

Stephanie Labbé (SL): The speed of play and the quality of strikers that I face. I had the same backline in front of me for 6 years in Sweden, so figuring out everyone’s strengths and weaknesses on this backline and getting to know their styles of play.

BS: Do you think that the Olympic break helps with national team players not having to miss as many games and helps keep team chemistry in the club teams?

SL: Yes, I definitely think it’ll help. Anytime you get to play together, and the longer you get to play together, the more chemistry and the stronger the team becomes. We have a deep bench with a lot of good players, and the more we can play together, the better.

BS: Who is the crazier captain to play with Ali Krieger or Christine Sinclair?

SL: They both have different leadership styles. Ali tends to be more vocal, giving the pregame speeches and talking a lot on the field. Sinc is more of the lead by example, putting her body on the line and going all out. They are similar in that they are both very humble and have worked for everything they have, nothing in their careers have been given to them.

BS: What is the mindset going into the next four weeks knowing you play the same two teams back to back?

SL: I haven’t really thought of that too much. We’ve been keeping it game by game and really concentrating on the next opponent for the upcoming week. This week is Portland and we have to step up our performance from last week and play better against them then we did against Western New York.

BS: Do you ever wish, just once, that when your team scores, someone would come and give the keeper some love?

SL: Yes! I can’t really go running to the huddle and then all the way back to goal, maybe I can run to the bench. I will definitely have to talk to the defenders about this and maybe one of them can give me a hug or something—show me some love.

Hopefully one of the defenders will agree, and maybe when Ali Krieger scores again, she’ll show Steph some love.