| One on one with FC Gold Pride Leslie Osborne | ||||
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FC Gold Pride has been taking some time off after going on a two-game road trip that had them tie the Boston Breakers 1-1 on June 17, followed by a 2-0 loss to WPS-best L.A. Sol on June 21. While on break, I was able to catch up with team captain Leslie Osborne to ask her some questions on the team, playing in an upstart pro league and more. Here's what she had to say:
Giovanni Albanese Jr.: How did you find out you were selected to play for the FC Gold Pride? Leslie Osborne: I found out I was selected when we got the choice to put our top 3 teams we wanted to play for. Since I played for the US National Team, I was chosen to be an allocated player. I didn't have the Bay Area down for my top 3 since they didn't come in until the last minute. I quickly put Bay Area down as my number 1 when they came into the mix in August, before the allocations!!
GA: And how did you react to being selected? LO: It was a dream come true. To be able to play on Buck Shaw (my alma matter field) is amazing and to be back around Santa Clara and the Bay Area is very exciting. This is my second home up here. I was very honored to be chosen to play for this team.
GA: What is it like playing for a professional league in its inaugural season? LO: It's very special anytime you are part of something new. It was my senior year in college when the last WUSA ended, I was hoping that I would have an opportunity to play in a professional league.
GA: What is WPS having you do as players to make the fans experience the best it can be each and every game? LO: I think this is the best part and fans are more than satisified coming to our games. They get to head to the field early and have a chance to partake in many festivities, buy FC Gold Pride gear, buy pictures, they are able to have balls given to them at halftime, they get autographs and pictures in autograph alley and sometimes even on the field. How great is it? I think we do a very good job as a whole of providing our fans with a great expeirence.
GA: Is WPS or the Gold Pride organization having you do any promotional events as a team? LO: Yes I have done many events for the WPS prior to the season like a fashion show, some footage, WPS Camps and speaking engagements.
GA: How do you think the team is doing so far this season? LO: I think we started off strong but since we have seen with this league, the only team consistent so far has been the LA Sol. I think we have been very unlucky at times in important games. The tough part is we only have 8 games left, the great news is that one win puts us back in it.
GA: What do you think the team needs to do going forward to reach the playoffs, and ultimately win the WPS championship? LO: I think we need to come together, I want to be a stronger unit then we are out there. At the end of the day, we need to put the ball in the back of the net and not let soft goals in. I think individually we all need to take more responsibility out there and together we will be stronger.
GA: What is your favorite part of being a professional athlete? LO: Playing the game I love. Being a role model for all the kids out there!! I know I only had a few when I was younger.
GA: Least favorite? LO: Don't have one. Losing maybe.
GA: In your soccer career, what is your most memorable moment? LO: I have a couple, I think winning the U19 World Championship infront of 60,000 people with some of my best friends (heather oreilly and lindsay tarpley) was amazing.
Winning the national championship as a freshman at Santa Clara, being able to play with Danielle Slation, Aly Wagner and Devyn hawkins. Playing in the 2007 World Cup and starting 4 games and to have my family there with me in China.
GA: Moment you'd like to forget about? LO: I hope to one day make an Olympic team. I was cut from the 2004 Olympics and then tore my ACL in June of last year, so I was not able to compete at an Olympics yet. I hope I will have another opportunity.
GA: What is the greatest advice any coach has ever given you? LO: Be yourself. What would you attempt to do if you knew you would never fail. I will remind myself of that at times when I get nervous.
GA: Who would you say is the player you model your game after? LO: Michelle Akers and Julie Foudy. Michelle Akers for being so tough, competitive, fearless and a leader out there.
Julie Foudy for the player she was on the field but when I met her in Wisconsin when I was 12, I was most impressed with what kind of person she was and the leader she was.
GA: Your favorite athlete growing up? LO: Kristi Yamaguchi. Loved her!!!
GA: What do you listen to -- if anything -- to pump you up before a game? LO: Black Eyed Peas, Taylor Swift, Little Wayne - Very random!!
GA: Any superstitions that you follow pre or post game? LO: I have my double shot espresso with soy milk every morning from Peet's!!
GA: If you weren't playing soccer, what would you be doing? LO: Having my own fashion line or being a sports broadcaster.
GA: What's your favorite movie? LO: I don't have one.
GA: Favorite musician? LO: Up above (those are 3 of my favorite)
GA: Favorite food? LO: Cheese (From Wisconsin, a big cheese fan) and Sushi (probably have sushi too many times per week)
GA: Favorite thing to do when not practicing or playing a game? LO: Shopping, traveling, being around kids:)
FC Gold Pride next takes the field against St. Louis Athletica on July 5 at Buck Shaw Statium. Kickoff is set for 5 p.m.
And look for more pieces like this on my other site: http://www.examiner.com/x-13587-Bay-Area-Pro-Soccer-Examiner
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