Christie Rampone Interview
Legend of women's soccer
Christie Rampone, takes part in the Women's Soccer United
Interview.
Christie has had many amazing career achievements
to date, including taking on the position as head coach for Sky
Blue FC and taking them on to win the 2009 Women's Professional
Soccer Playoffs. One week later, Rampone was named WPS Sportswoman
of the Year. Christie was named Captain of the United States
National Team and her international appearances total is second
only to teammate Kristine Lilly for most caps among all active
players in the world!
WSU: How old were you when you
first started playing soccer?
CR: 5
WSU: Who or what inspired or influenced you to play?
WSU: Who or what inspired or influenced you to play?
CR: My older sister
WSU: What has been your career highlight and lowlight to date, and why?
CR: Winning the Gold Medal in 2008 / Losing to Germany in 2003 WC, not playing in that game.
WSU: Do you have any superstitions or pre-match rituals before a soccer match?
CR: I have the same shin guards since I started, 1997
WSU: Who has been your toughest opponent you have played against?
CR: Birgit
WSU: In the 2009 WPS season you started 14 matches as captain for Sky Blue FC before taking over as player/head coach to lead the team to the WPS Championship. How did you feel after such a great achievement and how did the team celebrate being crowned WPS Champions?
CR: It was enormous and ranked right up there with everything...the girls did some tequilla shots in the locker room but i could not. i was 3 months pregnant with Reece.
WSU: Who is the best player you have played with?
WSU: What has been your career highlight and lowlight to date, and why?
CR: Winning the Gold Medal in 2008 / Losing to Germany in 2003 WC, not playing in that game.
WSU: Do you have any superstitions or pre-match rituals before a soccer match?
CR: I have the same shin guards since I started, 1997
WSU: Who has been your toughest opponent you have played against?
CR: Birgit
WSU: In the 2009 WPS season you started 14 matches as captain for Sky Blue FC before taking over as player/head coach to lead the team to the WPS Championship. How did you feel after such a great achievement and how did the team celebrate being crowned WPS Champions?
CR: It was enormous and ranked right up there with everything...the girls did some tequilla shots in the locker room but i could not. i was 3 months pregnant with Reece.
WSU: Who is the best player you have played with?
CR: Michelle Akers
WSU: If you were not a professional soccer player what would you be doing?
CR: Teaching or nurse
WSU: What advice would you give to someone thinking about getting involved in women and girls soccer?
CR: Play multiple sports...learn the game and how to use your mind at an early age.
WSU: What are your hobbies/interests when you are not playing soccer?
CR: Being a mom, photos, cooking
WSU: In your opinion, how has women's soccer progressed since you first started playing and what would you like to see for the future of women's soccer?
CR: Participation is at a all time high which is phenomenal but we need to see more fans and interest in the wps and the full team. everyone was excited when it started but the interest has fallen off
WSU: Tell us something we do not know about you?
CR: I am a seamstress and basketball was really my sport...probably could have made a wnba team
WSU: What is your Fav film(s)?
CR: Don't really have one...all julia roberts movies
WSU: What is your Fav tv programme(s)?
CR: Dancing with the stars and ALL reality tv...maybe it is my competitive side
WSU: Most played songs on your ipod?
CR: Don't use an ipod...we have a loud boom box in the locker room before every game. usually the latest dance songs so it works for me
WSU: What are your hopes/plans for the WPS and how does the news of teams folding affect yourself and other players in the league?
CR: My hope is that like the mls we will find our way out of the woods...even though teams are folding, there are new teams creating themselves, building interest and gathering investors in multiple cities
WSU: Congratulations for qualifying for the Women’s World Cup Germany 2011. What do you think of the Group you have been drawn in and what team in the whole tournament do you think will be the hardest opponent to face?
CR: This is the most balanced and talented wc, yet...our group is really tough and there are so many teams, overall that will be prepared and ready to show the world how good they are. should be fun!
CHRISTIE RAMPONE'S TEAM MATES
(Sky Blue FC/ USWNT)
WSU: Biggest joker at your club? CR: Morel like prankster, heather mitts
WSU: Most skilful player? CR: Megan Rapinoe
WSU: Quickest player? CR: Tiffeny Milbrett
WSU: Most intelligent player? CR: Kristine Lilly
WSU: Worst dancer? CR: Lindsey Tarpley, amongst others
WSU: Worst taste in music? CR: Don't know, they probably are hiding their songs
WSU: Biggest joker at your club? CR: Morel like prankster, heather mitts
WSU: Most skilful player? CR: Megan Rapinoe
WSU: Quickest player? CR: Tiffeny Milbrett
WSU: Most intelligent player? CR: Kristine Lilly
WSU: Worst dancer? CR: Lindsey Tarpley, amongst others
WSU: Worst taste in music? CR: Don't know, they probably are hiding their songs
WSU: If you were not a professional soccer player what would you be doing?
CR: Teaching or nurse
WSU: What advice would you give to someone thinking about getting involved in women and girls soccer?
CR: Play multiple sports...learn the game and how to use your mind at an early age.
WSU: What are your hobbies/interests when you are not playing soccer?
CR: Being a mom, photos, cooking
WSU: In your opinion, how has women's soccer progressed since you first started playing and what would you like to see for the future of women's soccer?
CR: Participation is at a all time high which is phenomenal but we need to see more fans and interest in the wps and the full team. everyone was excited when it started but the interest has fallen off
WSU: Tell us something we do not know about you?
CR: I am a seamstress and basketball was really my sport...probably could have made a wnba team
WSU: What is your Fav film(s)?
CR: Don't really have one...all julia roberts movies
WSU: What is your Fav tv programme(s)?
CR: Dancing with the stars and ALL reality tv...maybe it is my competitive side
WSU: Most played songs on your ipod?
CR: Don't use an ipod...we have a loud boom box in the locker room before every game. usually the latest dance songs so it works for me
WSU: What are your hopes/plans for the WPS and how does the news of teams folding affect yourself and other players in the league?
CR: My hope is that like the mls we will find our way out of the woods...even though teams are folding, there are new teams creating themselves, building interest and gathering investors in multiple cities
WSU: Congratulations for qualifying for the Women’s World Cup Germany 2011. What do you think of the Group you have been drawn in and what team in the whole tournament do you think will be the hardest opponent to face?
CR: This is the most balanced and talented wc, yet...our group is really tough and there are so many teams, overall that will be prepared and ready to show the world how good they are. should be fun!
WSU MEMBERS QUESTIONS
DL: Do you believe media coverage and commercial support of women's professional soccer is sufficient to keep it alive and growing in the United States? From D. Lusty
CR: Participation at the youth level is at a all time high and soccer popularity, overall is rapidly growing in the United States. That is important! The WPS investors/owners need to make better decisions in different areas and I think it can be sustainable. Like everything else, it probably was not a good time to start the league during a depressed economy. It would be nice to get more Fortune 500 companies on board like the WNBA...Check out how many known brands they have representing their league! The 2011 Women's World Cup in Germany will be shown live on the ESPN Network from the end of June till the middle of July. I think this will help tremendously as the only sports available will be th MLB which is on daily. People will be looking for something else to peak their interest. Keep your fingers crossed!
A: You said in an interview that when Alex Morgan scored against Italy, you thought "I don't have to retire." Would you really have retired if the national team didn't qualify for the World Cup? From Alondra
CR: I would have considered retiring. Physcially I feel great but waiting till September of 2012 for a major tournament would be a long committment. Competing against the best in the world is something that motivates me every day and at my age with a family at home, you have to perform a pretty good juggling act. I guess you never really know till you come to that particular bridge in your life, but thankfully I don't have to worry about it.
SJ: Do you feel that using only women officials during competition such as the recent CONCACAF World Cup qualifacations descriminates against the players or do you beleive the best available officials should be used regarless of their gender? From Steve Jenkins
CR: Yes...The best available officials would be great. The girls at this level and all the people around them work so hard all year round. Inexperienced referees making poor calls should not be allowed to influence or affect a game.
DL: Do you believe media coverage and commercial support of women's professional soccer is sufficient to keep it alive and growing in the United States? From D. Lusty
CR: Participation at the youth level is at a all time high and soccer popularity, overall is rapidly growing in the United States. That is important! The WPS investors/owners need to make better decisions in different areas and I think it can be sustainable. Like everything else, it probably was not a good time to start the league during a depressed economy. It would be nice to get more Fortune 500 companies on board like the WNBA...Check out how many known brands they have representing their league! The 2011 Women's World Cup in Germany will be shown live on the ESPN Network from the end of June till the middle of July. I think this will help tremendously as the only sports available will be th MLB which is on daily. People will be looking for something else to peak their interest. Keep your fingers crossed!
A: You said in an interview that when Alex Morgan scored against Italy, you thought "I don't have to retire." Would you really have retired if the national team didn't qualify for the World Cup? From Alondra
CR: I would have considered retiring. Physcially I feel great but waiting till September of 2012 for a major tournament would be a long committment. Competing against the best in the world is something that motivates me every day and at my age with a family at home, you have to perform a pretty good juggling act. I guess you never really know till you come to that particular bridge in your life, but thankfully I don't have to worry about it.
SJ: Do you feel that using only women officials during competition such as the recent CONCACAF World Cup qualifacations descriminates against the players or do you beleive the best available officials should be used regarless of their gender? From Steve Jenkins
CR: Yes...The best available officials would be great. The girls at this level and all the people around them work so hard all year round. Inexperienced referees making poor calls should not be allowed to influence or affect a game.
WSU: Thank you for taking part in the WSU Q&A.
Please take a moment to visit Official Christie Rampone
website and follow Christie on Twitter - @christierampone
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Comment by Women's Soccer United on December 23, 2010 at 20:46 -
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