Player Focus – Sarah

Sarah, could you tell us when you first got interested in football?

Football (which I admittedly usually call soccer!) has always been part of my life. I can’t even remember the first football team I was on because I was 3 or 4 years old. I do remember some of my team names from childhood like the Ladybugs, the Popsicles, and the Wild Things… they are such silly names to recall, but the fact that I remember them shows me how impactful a team can be in your life.

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

I think my dad has always been the most influential to my sporting life because whether it was football, softball, track, etc. he always believed in me and encouraged me to work hard. When I was little he even coached me on an all-boys baseball team where I was the only girl, but he gave me confidence to be a competitor no matter the circumstances. 

Is there any particular team that you support?

I love following the U.S. women’s team. The ways that they’ve inspired girls to play and have fought for more representation and equality in the sport honestly makes me feel so proud to be a female footballer. I love cheering for them in all the international competitions.

You have been with the team since the start. Can you tell us about your most memorable times as a With Unity player? 

Many of the derby days come to mind, but the one in particular when it was roughly -10°C (14°F) outside is so memorable. I vividly remember looking around at the other ladies and realizing how many different cultures, countries and backgrounds were on the pitch with me. At least 10 different countries represented, all absolutely freezing but having the best time together

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

I’m a mom to two daughters; one born in 2021 and the other in 2023. It was fairly jarring to my identity to become a mom and suddenly have to readjust and reevaluate the “old” parts of me with the “new” parts of me. Finding With Unity helped me realize that football doesn’t have to be something that was only a pre-kids part of who I am. The way that the team encourages me, welcomes my daughters at games, and just provides a fun and safe space where I can just be myself, has been an invaluable part of my life for the last 18+ months.

With Unity are part of a larger movement to encourage more and more females to play football. Your own daughters have even got involved! Do you feel this movement is something that is improving in Korea and worldwide, or is there still a long way to go?

Even though there is still a ways to go, having teams like ours are monumental to progressing football for women. I love that my daughters are now part of the team and that they get to see so many strong women playing the game. When we arrived before a derby early-ish in my time with the team, my older daughter Avery saw some men playing on the pitch and said “Mommy look, boys play soccer too??” I felt so proud that her context for watching the game in her 2.5 years of life was, to that point, only seeing women play. I’m so thankful that Joey had the vision for the team and has worked so hard to create the team and family that we have. It is a beautiful thing!  

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

I just hope if anyone is on the fence about joining that they feel compelled to just take the chance. Our team is one of the most welcoming places I’ve ever experienced, and no matter what your football background is, you’ll be embraced!