ASN: Amy Rodriguez and U.S. Girls Put together for Brazil

The U.S. girls’s nationwide crew continues its victory lap across the nation tonight with the primary of two matches in opposition to Brazil. Amy Rodriguez spoke with ASN about what these video games imply to the crew.

BY

John D. Halloran

Posted
October 21, 2015
2:00 PM

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EVER SINCE america girls’s nationwide crew hoisted the World Cup trophy in July, life hasn’t slowed down a lot for many gamers, together with ahead Amy Rodriguez.

First, there was the whirlwind of media protection surrounding the crew’s victory in Canada. Then the gamers returned to their golf equipment to complete out the NWSL season. And in the course of all that, the gamers managed to slot in 4 Victory Tour matches with the nationwide facet.

Now, solely three weeks after the NWSL season got here to an in depth, the U.S. is again at it once more with two extra Victory Tour match-ups this week in opposition to Brazil. The primary sport is on Wednesday (10pm ET, ESPN2) in Seattle and the second will likely be performed in Orlando 4 days later (2:30pm ET, Fox Sports activities 1).

Whereas the crew’s early post-World Cup matches didn’t current a lot of a problem—the U.S. gained these 4 matches by a mixed rating of 28-2—Brazil, led by five-time World Participant of the 12 months Marta, ought to current a far larger check. That mentioned, Rodriguez does not consider the crew will likely be too nervous about outcomes.

“They’re essential, however we’re additionally taking issues with a grain of salt as a result of there’s a whole lot of time between now and February,” Rodriguez informed American Soccer Now. “We are going to be focusing on ourselves a lot more over these next three months in preparation for February. Jill and the coaching staff are going to be preparing an excellent plan for us to build up to that moment.”

For her half, Rodriguez heads into these matches on fairly a roll. After the World Cup she returned to her membership and dominated the NWSL playoffs. She scored a brace in FC Kansas Metropolis’s 3-0 throttling of the Chicago Purple Stars within the semifinals after which she notched the game-winning purpose in a 1-0 victory over the Seattle Reign within the finals.

The championship was FCKC’s second in a row, and Rodriguez scored the decisive purpose within the 2014 last as nicely.  

“I felt like this summer time turned out to be nice for my profession,” mentioned the College of Southern California alum. “I am simply so completely satisfied that I used to be in a position to assist the crew and defend the championship that we gained final 12 months, and win it once more.

“If we had misplaced it could have left a bitter style in my mouth, however to know that I completed the summer time off with two gold medals—two championships—feels actually good.”

Rodriguez has been a tour de drive within the NWSL the previous two seasons, scoring six targets and choosing up six assists this 12 months in a season shortened by her World Cup duties. She tallied 13 occasions in 2014 whereas being named to the league’s Finest XI.

Rodriguez is fast to credit score her teammates when discussing her private accomplishments.

“I play in front of 10 amazing teammates and I felt like each game they helped me play better and better,” said the forward. “Honestly, they make me look really good. I have to thank the girls on the field with me, and my coaches, that have really put me in a position to excel and succeed.”

She additionally believes that taking part in within the NWSL has been key to staying prepared for the worldwide stage.

“I feel like playing with my club team is excellent for me,” said Rodriguez. “Training every single day in a competitive environment just sharpens my play. You’re getting better when you’re constantly training and constantly working. Thanks to Vlatko [Andonovski] and the staff at Kansas City, I’ve had a great training environment and it’s only prepared me better to be a player on the national team.”

Prior to now, girls’s skilled soccer in america has struggled, and two earlier leagues have folded. However this time round, issues are going higher with the NWSL’s fourth season proper across the nook. A brand new growth squad, the Orlando Delight, was additionally unveiled this week.

“I’m very excited for Orlando to be leaping in… I hope they are not higher than my crew although,” Rodriguez said,  laughing. “I am wanting ahead to a different growth crew and wishing them the most effective—simply second greatest.”

After her stellar membership type and dominating league opposition in two consecutive playoff runs, many have known as for Rodriguez to see extra time with the U.S., particularly contemplating the truth that most of the different American strikers have been mired in goal-scoring slumps.

Rodriguez admits she’d prefer to be on the sector extra typically, however can also be completely satisfied to play her function.

“I would always love to have more minutes with the national team, but here at this level, it’s much more competitive and we have such a good squad of forwards,” the California native said. “I’m playing my role here and when called upon, I’m ready to play and go for it. We’re winning championships—so for me, I’m smiles from ear to ear.”

One issue that has led Rodriguez to a lot success with FCKC is her midfield supplier and pricey good friend, Lauren Vacation. Vacation and Rodriguez first turned shut whereas taking part in on the U.S. youth nationwide groups and stay extraordinarily tight to at the present time.

“I am so excited for her to enjoy her retirement and celebrate her career. I obviously have so many great memories of her on the field, and off the field I have countless memories as well. I’m going to deeply miss her, but I think that my excitement for her to experience another part of her life outweighs my sadness.”

Whereas Vacation performs as an attacking midfielder for FCKC, she has been the U.S.’s holding midfielder for the previous few years. And along with her retirement there’ll now be a gaping gap within the U.S.’s three-player midfield.

Rodriguez says that hole will likely be troublesome, if not inconceivable, to fill.

“I can’t say specifically who I think could ever replace Lauren. I know that our coaching staff is going to have to, if they haven’t already, put a plan in place that gets the next set of midfielders ready for the Olympics next summer. I’m sure the coaching staff is working hard on trying to figure out what to do, but there really is no replacement for her.”

Rodriguez took a brief sabbatical of her personal, in 2013, when she was pregnant along with her son. She credit that break, and beginning a household, with giving her a brand new look on the sport.

“I have a little bit more perspective. I play out of enjoyment and for fun. I play to make my son and husband proud. I think I did that before, but I didn’t have that extra factor. I’m not sure what it is, it’s hard to pinpoint, but I definitely enjoy playing now. I’m excited to show my son what you can accomplish when you put your mind to something and you really give it your best.”

Because the Olympics draw close to, Rodriguez says it’s essential to remain centered on the qualifying course of and never begin serious about subsequent summer time too early.

“In the past, our problem was getting too far ahead of ourselves,” she mentioned. “In 2011, after we obtained too far forward of ourselves, we did not qualify within the event and had to enter the playoff. However I feel we have discovered that lesson.

“We’re in a significantly better house, with a very good head on our shoulders and we’re not going to take something with no consideration. I feel December is after we come collectively and begin engaged on crew chemistry and sharpening up once more. I really feel assured. I do know this crew. We have all the time educated actually arduous. Come February we’ll be on the high of our sport once more and hoping to qualify for a spot in Rio.”

Nonetheless, Rodriguez is aware of that expectations will likely be excessive.

“Everytime you win, you set the bar of expectation. Now, the expectation for us is to show round and win the Olympics. That is going to be our purpose, our marker,” mentioned the striker.

“We all know we might be on the high of the world, so we have to preserve that. Generally that may be actually arduous. There’s just one strategy to go, and it is down. However with the combat and willpower this crew has, I am hoping we are able to stand on that podium and win that gold medal subsequent summer time.”