Quotes from Becky Sauerbrunn

The way I play, it's very much more a mental game than a physical game. I'm looking for space and where are players leaving space. Defensively, where are we at numerical disadvantages? Do I shift more to the left because they have more players on their right side? It's about reading the game before the game happens.

I always wanted to write a book. Not a romance novel. Maybe a crime thriller. Something with action. Maybe that will happen some day.

The toughest part of my career was at the 2011 World Cup and 2012 Olympics and wanting so much to play and physically contribute - but having to understand and realize that it's just not my time.

Winning the World Cup is definitely the highlight of my career. I thought the gold medal at the Olympics would peak it, but winning the World Cup, the reception... it's what we all dreamed of when we were little.

I kind of had to convince myself when I was playing for the Washington Freedom that this was the highest level that I'm going to reach. 'I'm going to be a professional player, and I'm going to try and be the best one I can be, but it's maybe just not in my cards to be an international player. I won't play in a World Cup.' That was hard for me.

Although offensive play is important, it's defending that gets you titles.

When I'm on the field, I don't want to be worrying about my cleats. I want them to enhance my playing style.

At the Olympics, I'm representing the United States as well as the town and people who helped shape me.

It's really indescribable. All the hard work you put in and all the sacrifices.

We put in the same amount of time, effort, and we do the same amount of work requirements. We feel like that should be equal, and we should get the same amount of money as the men.

The game can be quite dangerous when you look at certain injuries, especially head injuries.

That's one of the best parts of my job. I love interacting with the community, getting out there and getting to know people and making bonds with the community.

It's lucky I haven't been in a bad tackle. I could be prepared, but if my body gets wrenched in the wrong way, I can't help that.

I wasn't shuffling from one sport to the next that much. I had downtime to just be a high school student.

There's no justification to not be paid the same as the men. We do everything the men do.

The women's national team is a very successful team, and that success has given us a platform to speak on gender equity issues. Millions of young women play soccer in this country, and it's empowering for them to see that our contribution to the game is valued.

A lot of young women play soccer, and it's wonderful to give them something to aspire to.

Anything you train can be improved upon. If you do it over and over again, your body is going to remember these moves and not be surprised in the game.

Soccer is always changing and evolving, and I think our national team has had to change with the times.

In soccer, female athletes across the world wear shoes that are not meant for us, our feet, or our game.

With soccer, it's such a dynamic sport. It's important that however you play, you should be training like that.

U.S. Soccer has no justification for paying us as little as they do.

A lot of goals are scored when defenders lose their concentration for a split second and a forward makes a run in behind or gets that one extra step that leads to a shot.

Soccer is an uncomfortable sport. You're running; you're getting tackled.