Zitat des Tages von Ali Krieger:
Every tournament's different.
I don't want to get to a point where I consider the national team a club team.
I once thought I would never be able to kick a ball again.
There is something quintessentially American about the USWNT. Last-minute, dramatic finishes and technical finesse aside, the spirit of the program reflects a determination and perseverance that resonates with the deeply held belief that with hard work, anything is possible.
I do believe that everything happens for a reason.
It's really difficult when you don't see much of a team and you're not familiar with how they play.
Because I don't like to play on a full stomach, I try to eat a bigger meal in the morning and less throughout the day leading up to the game.
I love my legs because they make me powerful and they make me feel strong. They've held up ever since I was young and have helped me get where I am today and be this successful.
Lifting isn't my favorite thing, so I have to keep it fun and do exercises that I really enjoy.
I try and be super vocal on the field because that's what we need, and that's what I want to do.
Football helped me build confidence on and off the field and taught me to grow through moments of success and disappointment.
I drink coffee 30 minutes before I want to nap. I think that really helps.
Injuries give you perspective. They teach you to cherish the moments that I might have taken for granted before.
In general, taking soccer out of the picture, as an American living overseas, it's so cool, and I've grown so much. Now I can look at my life from a different perspective.
It's a privilege and an honor to play for the national team, but I think that the training that I was in at Frankfurt was the highest level right underneath.
People ask me, 'What were you thinking during that game-winning penalty kick in the 2011 World Cup?' I was actually thinking absolutely nothing. I just walked up there and was so inspired by my teammates who rocked all their PKs; they just killed it. I figured I might as well do the same, or they might have my neck.
I was clipped from behind, and my leg got caught between my opponent's legs. As we fell, my leg snapped. It was a spiral fracture. They had to put in a plate and five screws. It was a devastating moment: one minute I was on cloud nine, and then I was out for the season.
This is something I've dreamed of for a long, long time - to play in a World Cup.
I feel fortunate to be a part of a football community that includes leaders who recognize the power of sport to make a difference and who, like so many of my coaches, are defined not only by their knowledge but by their ability to bring out the best in every member of their teams.
You never know when it's going to be your last time to step onto the field.
Playing for the Washington Spirit, the 2013 season was one of the most difficult I have ever experienced.
We want to beat the best team in the world.
I know, firsthand, that soccer brings people together - all it takes is a ball and a few people, and the seeds of friendship are planted.
Surround yourself with good people; surround yourself with positivity and people who are going to challenge you to make you better.
Germany is where I had to become a true professional. They play in big games when they are young. We could model some of our soccer system after what they do.
I always need a little something sweet after dinner. Although I try to stay pretty disciplined with my nutrition when I'm in season - my brother Kyle eats super clean and always gives me nutrition advice - when I want something, I have it because I feel like you can really get in trouble if you restrict yourself too much.
I surround myself with good people who make me feel great and give me positive energy.
I think it's nice to have a variety of lineups and formations to use against different opponents, depending on what they bring.
You can control two things: your work ethic and your attitude about anything.
I'm grateful that I got a good education and to have all the people I have around me.
I love to do lunges because I don't want my butt to start sagging. I say that to my trainer all the time; he thinks I'm nuts.
Our daily work ethic - that need to always do better and top our last performance - is what makes USWNT football players who we are.
It is cliched, but you have to beat the best to be the best.
There's always room for improvement no matter what.
There are a few moments in every game when I will have to sprint and use my explosiveness to win.
I was No. 11 because my mom played basketball in college and was always No. 22. I just cut it in half, and I kept that. I've been No. 11 most of my life, and in college, I was No. 22.
