WHO-FILES
October 8, 2003
Aly Wagner, U.S. women's soccer player
TFK Kid Reporter Brooke gets the scoop on this women's soccer star
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Aly Wagner is making her mark on U.S. women's soccer history. At 23, Aly is one of the newest additions to the women's national soccer team, but already she stands out as one of the best in the league. She is a creative center-midfield, with dependable and accurate passes. In the words of Brandi Chastain, "A player like her comes around perhaps only once a decade."
 |  Kid Reporter Brooke chats with soccer star Aly Wagner. |
Aly Wagner: I've always put a lot of pressure on myself, and all the external pressure I just forget about. I just try to live up to my own expectations.
TFK: Do you get nervous before big games?
Aly Wagner: Yes and no. My nerves might be the night before or the morning of, but then I get on the field and I start warming up. The whistle blows and I just rely on my instincts.
TFK: What is the best part about playing soccer at such a high level?
Aly Wagner: Not necessarily the games, but the experiences I have. Being on the National Team and getting to meet so many amazing role models. Traveling the world, seeing so many countries. Having all of these opportunities that I otherwise would not have had.
TFK: As a child did you ever foresee yourself on the national team?
Aly Wagner: I definitely did. I always had the dream to play for them (National Team). People always tell you that you can do anything if you put your mind to it, so I just always believed that I could do it.
TFK: What is your favorite childhood memory?
Aly Wagner: When we used to go cardboard sliding. We had a hill in my backyard and it was covered in foxtails. We would get out cardboard boxes, then slide down the hill on them. We'd fly off and get covered in prickers.
TFK: What do you think is the most important skill for young soccer players to work on?
Aly Wagner: I would have to say juggling. I grew up juggling in my backyard and I just got touches on the ball constantly, day in and day out. I think that' s the biggest thing that's helped me to this day. I don't have to think about the ball, it just goes where I want it to, so I can focus on the tactics of the game.
TFK: Outside of soccer, what activities do you participate in?
Aly Wagner: Well, we sign a contract that says we're not going to do anything that could potentially damage our bodies (Extreme sports), but I like to snowboard. And I just took up surfing in San Diego. I'm terrible, but I love it.
TFK: What are your goals for the future?
Aly Wagner: In the near future I would like to play in the Olympics and win a gold medal. From there I would like to play on this team for 5 more years, which would mean another World Cup, another Olympics. Outside of that, I just want to continue to be happy every day.
TFK: How did you decide to go to Santa Clara vs. Notre Dame? I heard something about snow.
Aly Wagner: (Laughs) There were a lot of factors that went into my decision, but a huge part of it was that I wanted to play for Jerry Smith at Santa Clara. Also, the cold. I love the cold weather to visit, but I don't know if I'd want to live in it day in and day out. Notre Dame has a great college atmosphere, but its in the middle of nowhere and I like the city or the beach.
TFK: The word is that the WUSA is folding. Is that true? How do you feel about it?
Aly Wagner: It's true that we did go into shut down mode, although there's a lot of hype getting around and a lot of sponsors are stepping up to the plate. Hopefully they will keep it alive for the next year and we'll see where it goes from there.
Obviously having it shut down right now is pretty detrimental to our sport and women in general. The most disappointing part for me is that you guys won't have someplace to play, because I think that it has provided a lot of opportunities, a lot of hopes and dreams for young girls.
