Robyn McNeil / ISI Photos
A goal for the record books, bilingual eloquence or an admirably firm handle on what she stands for – some things can always be counted on with Raquel Rodríguez. Change, however, came in spades for the Costa Rican international once she arrived in the U.S. five years ago, ably accompanied by tribulation, triumph, precious times of silliness, and of course, a now-synonymous nickname. Read more →
Photo: ISI Photos: Daniel Bartel
The New Englander identity is one Stephanie McCaffrey could never shake off, and nor would she want to. Having spent her young life around a city decked out in winning sporting heritage, the Chicago Red Stars forward has flown the Boston nest in search of some champion consistency of her own, with recent starlit spectaculars to add to the soundtrack reminders of her heartland. Read more →
Western New York Flash
A National Champion in college, Taylor Smith became a professional title-winner in her rookie season as part of the Western New York Flash’s unexpected 2016 National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) success. For the one-time UCLA prospect, the year was in fact much more about personal reconstruction than blazing a trail, with a first U.S. Women’s National Team call capping it all for the North Carolina Courage forward. Read more →
Courtesy of Virginia Tech
Both individually and with her team, Jazmine Reeves was part of school history with the Virginia Tech name beside her, before sparking impressively in a debut professional year with the Boston Breakers. Although the former forward’s decision for a future away from the field meant that her career was ultimately something of a one-album deal, there were hit moments made on the way that won’t ever stop spinning for her. Read more →
Photo: Ampatent
FC Kansas City goalkeeper Nicole Barnhart’s motivation and performance levels have only strengthened since she last wore the gloves for her country, but back before the two-time Olympic gold medallist’s reputation was truly made between the sticks, one of her first tasks in a record-breaking Stanford University career was to turn creative force and reveal some finer details from her inside cover. Read more →
Beyond the dance-move celebrations and the headphone-clad player stepping off the team bus, lies a whole world connecting football and music. Beats & Rhymes FC tells the stories of how a song lights the fuse on match day, how bands and artists colourise a player's life outside the game, and how music itself can bond an entire team.
The nostalgia of a first album, the weakness in the knees before an initiation song, or even those who've swapped the stadium for the studio. Since 2011, the performers and the personalities from all around the men's and women's game have stepped into this arena to share their soundtrack and more. The features also cover career talk, the teammates, the memories and the lessons learned from a life in this magical game.
