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Chat Reel: Kate Sobrero
Team USA member isn't tongue-tied about WUSA
Posted: Thursday June 29, 2000 04:29 PM
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According to Kate Sobrero (above), coach April Heinrichs has installed a never-say-die attitude. Tom Hauck/Allsport |
CNN/SI Host: Thanks for joining our soccer chat with Team USA and Boston WUSA member Kate Sobrero. Welcome Kate.
Kate Sobrero: Glad to be here!
From Maria Kaylen in Columbia, Mo.: Kate, What were your thoughts on the Brazil game? Do you think that if you did something different you would have won? Or do you think that your team is evenly matched with their team? Also, do you have any suggestion on what to do other than a coin toss?
Kate Sobrero: We actually are pretty happy with the Brazil game, because of how we played. Quality, rather than quantity. We didn't score, but we thought we played really well, and our coach was happy. We'll probably do the same thing the next time, if we get a chance to play them again. We wanted to play the extra sudden death. With the TV constraints, we weren't allowed to.
From Mary Schanz Hopewell Jct., N.Y.: Wasn't it frustrating to end the game vs. Brazil by a coin toss? How come there was no OT or PKs?
Kate Sobrero: It was just because of the TV time constraints... that's how they end it in that situation. We wanted to go into extra time, though, and penalty kicks.
From Erin Bolen in Boston: If you face Brazil in the finals, what changes do you think you should make to win that game? What will you do if you play China? If we play Brazil, we'll probably play the same way. But there is extra motivation, because we weren't happy with the tie. If we play China, same thing, same formation. Doesn't matter who we play.
From Kelly in Baltimore, Md.: Has the team had difficulty adjusting to the new coach? What are the biggest differences between April and Tony and their coaching styles?
Kate Sobrero: That's an easy question! :) At first, transition was hard, because she pretty much told us we all were starting from ground zero. It didn't matter what we did in the past. We had to prove ourselves, to have a chance to play in the future. Now things are fine. The biggest difference is the amount of competitiveness she brings to every practice and every game. She makes sure that we're all fighting for every single ball. Not that it wasn't like that in the past, but now it's a focal point. That's probably the biggest change.
From Marisa: Hi Kate! How do you think the first year of the WUSA will go? Will it be successful?
Kate Sobrero: I think it's going to be like every other first year program. It will struggle a little, and it will take some time. But I think with the amount of support we generated from the World Cup and this year, I think we're starting at a better point for a first year team.
From Erin Bolen in Boston: Kate, if you had the choice, who else would you like to be on the Boston team?
Kate Sobrero: Tiffeny Milbrett, because I don't want to play against her! Pretty much anyone on my team, I wish could be on our team.
From Maura in Boston: Where will the pool of players come from for WUSA? Will there be many international players?
Kate Sobrero: Yes, there is supposed to be I think 35 international players, four per team, I think. That will only make the league more competitive.
From Bill in Boston: How do the U.S. National Team players feel about competing AGAINST each other next year in the WUSA?
Kate Sobrero: That's going to be a lot of fun, playing against one another! We've already started talking trash talk to one another, about whose team will be the best.
From Jennifer in Austin: Since the world cup last summer lots of doors have opened up for the team and you have been given new opportunities and I was curious, what's the coolest thing you've had the chance to do since the world cup ended?
Kate Sobrero: I got to throw out the first pitch at Tiger Stadium in Detroit! That was awesome!
From Jennifer in Austin: As a defender is there a particular forward on an opposing team that you like to go up against, or that you see as a good challenge for yourself?
Kate Sobrero: Any of the Brazilian forwards are tough to play against. Sun Wen from China is also someone who is really fun to play against, because she's so good. In reality, the toughest people to play against are our own forwards, in practice.
From Greg: How old were you when you started playing soccer?
Kate Sobrero: I was five years old, and played on a little coed team in Portland, Oregon. :)
From Lesley in Rensselaer, Ind.: Hi Kate! I was wondering-where do you see yourself in 5 years, and how do you see yourself in, maybe, 10 years? As of now, do you feel like you wish to always remain close to the sport, or do you want to pursue other fields? Thanx!!
Kate Sobrero: I think I'll play soccer for as long as I can. Hopefully in the next five years, I'll still be able to play. But in ten years... I want to go back to school and get my MBA, so who knows what I'll be doing. I don't think I want to continue my degree, a Masters in sports administration... I'd rather go for my MBA instead. That's all up in the air, depending on what happens with soccer.
From Hannah in Austin, Texas: Hi Kate! I was wondering if you are still going to coach at UT now that you have a league to play in. It was lots of fun having you here in Austin. Go Horns!
Kate Sobrero: I'll be in Austin from time to time. I'll still help coach when I'm there. But it's not a permanent position.
From Jennifer in Austin: Are you planning to make any more bets during the Olympics like the one that made you dye your hair red and blue in this past world cup?
Kate Sobrero: No! My parents will disown me if I dye my hair one more time! Actually, though... we'll see! Who knows. I'm just concentrating on making the team first.
From Maria Kaylen in Columbia, Mo.: Kate, What the funniest/craziest thing a fan ever did for you?
Kate Sobrero: Making a tee-shirt with a picture of me from when I was 16 or 17, and just showing my whole team that I looked like the biggest dork! Very embarrassing!
From Jenni in St. Louis, Mo.: Which country/team has improved the most since the 1996 Summer Olympics? Which team (Australia, Canada, Mexico) has the capacity to upset the top teams such as Brazil, Germany, Norway, and China?
Kate Sobrero: Brazil has improved the most since the '96 Olympics. Canada or Australia... they have the potential to upset the big teams.
From Guest: All the girls on the team are role models, who is your role model?
Kate Sobrero: Mine is actually Wayne Gretsky. He is so classy, and such a great guy. I love him.
From Marissa Williams in New Rochelle, N.Y.: Do your teammates or your coaching staff give you problems about having a tongue ring? Also, do you play with it in? I have one as well and my coach would like me to take it out but hasn't forced me to as of yet.
Kate Sobrero: I've never had a problem with my coaches about my tongue ring, but I took it out a couple of months ago. So, I don't have to go through the same things anymore.
From Sobsfan20 in Sherwood, Ore.: If you were to go on "Who wants to be a Millionaire", who would you put down as your lifelines?
Kate Sobrero: It depends on the question! If it was entertainment and sports, definitely Brandi. Art and history, Julie Foudy. Those two would be the main ones I think I'd call.
CNNSI_Host: That's all the time we have for today with Kate - thanks for joining us.
Kate Sobrero: Thank you for joining me in this chat session! Thanks for the questions! Wish us good luck in going for the gold!
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