Little USWNT Things

Today I listened, for the 79345th time, to the Laughter Permitted episode with Tobin Heath as guest, the one used then for the E60 segment.

There’s a quote, something Tobin said, that struck me the first time I heard it and it still does. When Foudy asks her when she realized that she had become a fundamental part of the USWNT, Tobin replied that it was when everything changed, especially by “Having my rocks taken from me”.

She was talking about Lauren Holiday and Amy Rodriguez. And actually all the stories she tells about her career with the USWNT revolve around Lauren and Amy. What Amy said, what Lauren did, how they felt, what they shared. So when she talks about the end of the 15ers era, when Lauren retired and Amy got pregnant, I believe she’s describing a true moment of change and growth in her life. I’ve always noticed how she even appeared different from 2016 on, somehow more independent, mature, slowly even more private, as if she realized what she wanted from her life and her career.

But every time I listen to that podcast, I understand once again how deep was her bond with Lauren and ARod, so deep that Tobin doesn’t have an early memory from her USWNT first years that it doesn’t involve the two of them. Calling them “my rocks” is a strong statement, it makes you realize the importance of a support network at that age and in that world where especially young players are at risk of abuse and harassment. I can only imagine how she must have felt joining the first camp without Lauren and ARod and accepting that times were really changing.

This is the best one

“WE HAVE TO TURN HER!!!”

“NOBODY HAS HER TORSO”

“I DO”

Update: the comments are even better