Could you tell us when you first got interested in football?

That’s such a complicated question for me! I played soccer up until I was about 12, but changed over to lacrosse in high school. I think what got me really interested in playing again was the 2022 World Cup – it was so invigorating to be living in Korea while it was happening, and it absolutely triggered me to start looking for a team.

Who has been the most influential person in your football life?

I’d have to say my cousin, Molly. She’s a few years older than me so I always looked up to her, and her love of sport spurred me into playing sports as well. She competed in Track and Field for Florida State University and is currently the Deputy Athletic Director for The University of Texas of Rio Grande Valley (what a mouthful). She’s helped really drive women’s athletics for them and the University of Little Rock. She helps make sure that their Title IX needs are being carried out and that her student athletes get the best access to admissions, housing, and financial aid. I’m so proud of her and am grateful she’s a part of my family.

As far as professionals go, I’d say Mia Hamm was pretty much everywhere when I was growing up, so I’d have to hand it to her!

Is there any team that you support? Rumour has it you’re a Crystal Palace supporter?

Molly is also a Premier League fan and so I piggybacked off her to be a Palace fan too. She followed them because of an American player who used to play for them. (I think she liked Matt Turner?) That being said, now that I support Palace it’s become quite fun to see them improve! I love an underdog story and I hope that they’ll come out on top some day.

Can you tell us about your most memorable times as a With Unity player?

Oh wow. Truthfully I don’t have any particular moment that I find memorable. I think the times that I love are when I feel we ‘click’ as a team on the pitch – I know where someone is going and I’m able to get the pass just in the nick of time for a goal. Or when I see my teammates improve every month and increase the intensity of practice. I’m definitely a “it’s about the journey, not the destination” kind of person so I’m just glad when I get on the pitch with my friends

What has been the best thing about playing as part of With Unity?

Living and working in Korea, joining the team has absolutely enriched my time here. We constantly tell ourselves how lucky we are to have each other and to have found this team. Something I was surprised about at first was how many Korean people wanted to learn about football in English. I had assumed it would be mostly foreigners who were on temporary visas coming to play, but in reality it’s a mix of every culture, country, and backgrounds coming together to play “the beautiful game.” Plus I missed playing a team sport. Going to the gym or running can be social, but there is something to playing all-together that warms my spirit. I’m just so grateful to my team for being incredible both on and off the pitch.

With Unity are part of a larger movement to encourage more and more females to play football. Your country has long encouraged females to take part but do you feel this is something that is improving in Korea and worldwide, or is there still a long way to go?

From what I’ve seen the past couple of years, it is getting better. The competition we’re up against continues to improve and the players can be FIERCE. I’m excited for what the next few years will bring!

That being said, what I’m hoping for is that Korea gets a female football athlete as famous as any of the male athletes. I think having someone to look up to really impacts your interest in the game and would ramp up enrollments quickly. I’m hoping next year’s World Cup brings some amazing Korean women talent to the forefront.

Thank you so much for your time Vreni! Is there anything else you would like to say before we finish?

I would just like to shout out both the team and Coach Joey! Joey’s positive and constructive feedback has been absolutely impactful in the way I play and think on the pitch. There’s no other coach quite like him in Korea and I appreciate all he’s done for us and this team.