There has been a completely different vibe in the USWNT. The American ladies called up an interesting roster for their ongoing SheBelieves Cup challenge. Beyond the expected names and those who couldn’t make it, excitement remains to see the newcomers in action. But this also places significant pressure on these first-timers to make a strong enough impression to retain their place in the team. Fortunately, Becky Sauerbrunn has some advice they can follow.
They say a missed opportunity is never regained, and who are we to argue? National team call-ups are often subjective, with only a select few getting the chance to represent their country. In some way, this is exactly what Sauerbrunn wants the debutants to realize. “If you got invited in, it was for a reason,” began the former defender on the latest episode of The Women’s Game podcast.
Players like Tara McKeown, Ally Sentnor, and even teenage stars such as Gisele Thompson and Lily Yohannes are currently shining in the ongoing SheBelieves Cup campaign. This ignites a question of how exactly they can ensure that these opportunities come more frequently. “Stay true to what got you the invite. Don’t get into camp and all of a sudden feel you need to be a different player, a different person, and play outside of yourself.”
Sauerbrunn insisted that each camp has its unique structure, a game plan, and tactics. Hence, she has advised all the newcomers to find their flare in these conditions while simultaneously keeping themselves ‘adaptable and coachable.’ Another key National Team 101 that Becky shared is that players should refrain from going off the game plan out of nowhere. Otherwise, they’re going to get “yanked off the field.”
Instead, the key is to remain authentic to your game. After all, it works and that’s exactly why they received call-ups in the first place. “As a young player, you don’t know if you’re going to get any minutes on the field or get a lot of reps at training. Make the most of absolutely every opportunity that you have. If you’re lucky enough to get on the field, do the non-negotiables and then work from there,” concluded Becky.
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