Julie Foudy

“For the average person walking down the street, they don't even know a women's soccer league exists in this country.”

“We should teach kids, whether you're on the varsity team or not, that movement is a great thing in your life.”

“You don't need a title. You don't need a degree in business organization or be trained in the finer arts of persuasion. You just need to believe you can lead. So start there. Start believing.”

“My teammates and I are best known for our penalty kick victory against China to win the 1999 Women's World Cup. But a lot of people don't realize that when we were first playing soccer on the Women's National Team, the Women's World Cup didn't exist. In fact, Women's Soccer wasn't even in the Olympics.”

“For too long, I equated leadership with a position. I thought leaders were presidents or politicians or celebrities or four-star generals with a horse and sword.”

“Stressing out over how you look, what you're wearing, or when you're getting home is not worth it.”

“We all can agree we want our kids active and moving and healthy. But we also have a right to know whether the turf fields our kids are playing on contain harmful chemicals.”

“If you don't think a small act can make a difference, try going to sleep with a mosquito in the room.”

“I have these vivid - some fabulous, some not so fabulous - childhood memories of driving to Lake Tahoe.”

“Inequality brings a visceral reaction. We fought many years to bring others to believe in what was possible with women's soccer, in this country and globally. Now that the possible is being realized in this country, the American women should be compensated accordingly.”

“I believe it's our responsibility to show our communities the value of all people, to celebrate different, and to take a stand for acceptance and inclusion.”

“I don't know if there's any sport that's stupid, but I really don't understand curling. I guess I'm just not into brooms on ice.”

“The ebb and flow of daily life can lead to wonderful highs, crushing lows, and everything in between.”

“I once thought about being a doctor, but then I'd have to work for a living.”

“Do your homework. Find your voice. Be authentic. And then dive in with purpose.”

“I think that was one of my biggest worries. I didn't want to be so focused on soccer that it became my whole life.”

“I have non-breaking news for you: FIFA does not care what you think. Over the years, FIFA has never seemed influenced by what is written or said in papers, articles, tweets, blogs, and on television about how it operates.”

“The pressure to perform is actually a privilege. Being left out of the starting rotation is a sign you must work harder.”

“I will forever be fascinated by how people deal with adversity, how people react in moments of crisis, or how people behave when life gets uncomfortable.”

“I remember the first time I played on a synthetic turf field. I thought, 'Wow, this is amazing. What is this stuff?' It seemed so much better than that concrete-like Astro Turf that was essentially just a green, thin carpet over hard ground.”