Q&A With A Soccer Star

SARAH GORDEN

Sarah Gorden is a professional soccer player currently playing for Angel City FC as a defender. She began her career with the Chicago Red Stars in 2016, and became the team’s first Iron Woman by playing every minute of the 2021 NWSL season. In 2021, she partnered with Parichute to raise funds for America SCORES Chicago and give poet-athletes more opportunities to play soccer.

What is it like to play professional soccer?

Being a pro soccer player is such a challenging but rewarding career. It’s a balance between always wanting to achieve more but coming into the focus and flow of the present moment to do so. It’s also discipline and responsibility. Doing the work on the hard, uninspired days and knowing it’s bigger than just you but for the next generation of girls.

When did you decide to work towards becoming a professional soccer player?

After I had my son Caiden my junior year in college my vision became very clear that I wanted to work to become a pro soccer player. I thought that working hard and achieving my dreams would set an example for him to do the same.

Who were your role models growing up? Were there any soccer players you looked up to?

Like a lot of girls growing up in the 90’s and early 2000’s, Mia Hamm and the 99ers were my role models. I had posters of them all over my room. Lolo Jones was also a huge role model for me. I felt I could relate to her story. I was also driven by a deep competitiveness to win and achieve which pushed me to always work hard at all the sports I was playing.

For you, what does it mean to be a leader on and off the pitch?

Being a leader to me is being authentic and true to yourself while still living your life in the best way you know how. Being a leader means being a role model both on and off the field. Using your skills, platform, and likeness as an athlete to affect the game as well as the community. I’m happy to be partnered with Parichute, who makes giving back to my community even easier!

What advice do you have for young girls who play sports?

There will always be someone who will tell you you’re not good enough or you can’t do that or you’re doing it the wrong way. At some point or another, that person may even be the voice in your head. Dont believe it. Keep going. You have the dream and the passion for a reason and we can’t wait to be inspired by you and watch you conquer that doubt and do great things! 