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Becky Sauerbrunn, Portland Thorns & USWNT

2015 Women's Soccer: USA vs New Zealand APR 04

Becky Sauerbrunn, post-game at Busch Stadium. Photo by Danny Reise for SoccerSTL.net

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Current Club: Portland Thorns (NWSL)
College: Virginia Cavaliers
High School: Ladue Horton Watkins Rams
Club: JB Marine SC

Twitter: @beckysauerbrunn
Website: BeckySauerbrunn.com
YouTube: Becky Sauerbrunn

Height: 5′ 7″
Weight:
Birth Date: June 6, 1985
Birthplace: St. Louis, MO

Olympic Experience
Two-time Olympian (2012, 2016); Olympic medalist (gold)
Rio 2016 Olympic Games, 5th
London 2012 Olympic Games, gold

2022 Feb 08 signs with Thorns for 2022 (formerly on USWNT contract which are no longer being used)

2022 Jan 06 Sauerbrunn Freezing Embryos which explains the reason she hasn’t been part of the current, and previous, USWNT camps
“I was basically cramming this month-long process in between two national team camps.”
As part of the process of having her eggs extracted, Sauerbrunn – a two-time World Cup champion and two-time Olympic medalist – was told she would need to stop working out, almost entirely.
“It was the first time I ever had forced inactivity. They were like, ‘You can’t raise your heart rate above 160.’”

2022 Jan 07 Podcast interview as Becky discusses what she hopes her legacy will be

2021 Jan 17 Sauerbrunn Named USWNT Captain
“I like to look to Becky as my compass,” said U.S. midfielder Sam Mewis, “like whatever she’s doing is what I know is right, so I should probably do the same thing. And I think her leadership here has been really important for this team and for all the girls, especially the young girls coming up. I think she’s always really made sure that she’s there for us and that she goes out of her way to make sure we’re doing OK. She’s just been like a really pivotal member of the team for so long.”

2020 Nov 27 Sauerbrunn plays 90 minutes in the USWNT win against Netherlands as the team finishes 2020 with an unblemished record of 9-0-0

2020 Oct 29: Thorns’ Becky Sauerbrunn looks to build off unique 2020 season
Becky was ready to ease her way into a new team but Head Coach Mark Parson’s noted she was brought in to ‘help us out on the leadership side’ “So a big goal for me coming into [the Thorns] was to get out of my comfort zone, to try to help learn and help hold standards to a group that already, obviously, has a lot of history and has a really strong core. It was both me finding my way but also trying to bring things to the group that maybe weren’t here.”

2020 Sep 18 Becky Sauerbrunn interview as she makes her way back from injury

2020 Jun 30 Sauerbrunn injured during first Challenge Cup match, I think you can notice a slight limp or hitch already as she ran back on the Courage’s first goal (video below). Then following the game-winner you can briefly see her limping in the background (at 2:16)

2020 Mar 31 – Becky Sauerbrunn, Abby Dahlkemper on state of the NWSL and momentum of women’s soccer
Fox Sports video interview

2020 Mar 06 – 175th cap

2020 March 3 – Announcement of Becky’s move from Utah to Portland
The 2020 season will mark Sauerbrunn’s eighth campaign in the NWSL. Sauerbrunn, 34, began her career with FC Kansas City (2013-17) and most recently featured for Utah during the 2018 and 2019 seasons. Individually, Sauerbrunn has been named NWSL Defender of the Year four times, including three consecutive seasons (2013-15) and has earned NWSL Best XI honors in all seven NWSL seasons. Across seven seasons, Sauerbrunn has played in 122 regular-season matches (121 starts), logging 10,900 minutes, while tallying four goals and three assists.

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2019 Dec 31 – named to THE EQUALIZER USWNT Best XI of the Decade
“Broon” to both fans and teammates, Becky Sauerbrunn has not only been one of the best center backs of the past decade, she’s been one of the best defenders. At times, even the best defender in the world. With nearly flawless positioning and an uncanny ability to predict what an opposing player will do before they do it, no one reads the game better than her. And just when you think you have her pegged, she does the damn thing herself and goes on an offensive run that covers two-thirds of the field. The only thing missing from her game is an international goal, but hey, there’s always 2020.

Now: 2019, third tournament
Most recent: 2015 – gold
Years of participation: 2011, 2015
Medals: 2 (1 gold, 1 silver)

2019 Jun 15 starts vs Chile after sitting out first game against Thailand with a minor injury

2019 May 13 Sauerbrunn’s big impact on and off the Field
Sauerbrunn is behind only Carli Lloyd and Alex Morgan in international appearances among the players heading to France.

2019 October NWSL Defender of the year (4th time)

2018 Sep 20 – Sauerbrunn named to NWSL Best XI

2018 Jul 06 – Sauerbrunn and Dunn at the top
Becky Sauerbrunn and Crystal Dunn only players named to the Team of the Month every month this season

2018 Jul 05 – Sauerbrunn named to NWSL Team of the Month (June)

2018 Jun 05 – Sauerbrunn named to NWSL Team of the Month (May)

2018 May 03 – Sauerbrunn named to NWSL Team of the Month (April)

2018 Apr 06 – Becky Sauerbrunn named to NWSL Team of the Month (March)

2017 Dec 21 – Royals Sign one of the best players in the NWSL

2017 Dec 21 – Sauerbrunn Signs with Utah Royals

2016 Rio Olympics preparation

2016 February 10 – CONCACAF Olympic Qualifying opens

New U.S. WNT captains Carli Lloyd and Becky Sauerbrunn took some time out from a busy January camp to relax by the beautiful Pacific Ocean and talk about leading a U.S. team featuring an exciting mix of young and veteran players towards new goals in 2016.

2016 Janurury 9 – Sauerbrunn and Lloyd named co-Captains of US WNT
The duo becomes the 13th and 14th players officially named captain of the U.S. WNT over the 31 years of the program, although many others have worn the captain’s band during a match.

US Soccer – One Nation, One Team, 23 Stories featuring Becky

RECENT NEWS
2016 March 8 – International Women’s Day

2015 August 7 – Sauerbrunn meets with UMKC Kangaroos
“It was like a dream come true,” sophomore midfielder Maureen Bigsby said. “I think every kid or soccer player dreams about meeting a national player and seeing someone in person who plays at that level. It is really cool to see someone who was in our position as a college soccer player who now has had so much success with winning the gold at the Olympics and the women’s world cup.”

2015 July 4 USA’s Backbone
And then everything started to click at the World Cup. Sauerbrunn assumed the leadership role. Johnston began playing beyond her years. Ali Kreiger and Meghan Klingenberg clamped down the flanks.

2015 June 25 FCKC’s Becky Sauerbrunn Embracing Leadership Role with National Team
So (Vlatko Andonovski} has not been surprised at all by the success of the player he frequently refers to as the “best defender in the world,” and her success with the national team in the 2015FIFA World Cup this year.

2015 June 24 Interview with “Men in Blazers”

2015 June 24 – US Defense anchors World Cup Efforts
Johnston, 23, and Sauerbrunn, 30, have forged an unassailable central partnership

2015 June 20 – Johnston and Sauerbrunn anchor US Defense (World Cup)
Led by Becky Sauerbrunn, the back line overcame a shaky opening 20 minutes of the tournament against Australia to give up only one goal in the first three games

2015 June 18 – How Becky Sauerbrunn became the USWNT’s New Defensive Cornerstone
The best collective performance for the Americans in three group games came from a partnership (Johnston and Sauerbrunn) that took the field for the opening game with nary an appearance in World Cup group games between them.

2015 Channel 4

2015 June 11 – Sauerbrunn Savors Soccer, World Cup Opportunities by TheSabre.com (UVA sports)

2015 June 08 – Sauerbrunn Shines In Opening Win against Australia (World Cup)
One of the game’s big moments that will be lost in Megan Rapinoe’s goals and Hope Solo’s saves is U.S. center back Becky Sauerbrunn chasing down Sam Kerr – one of the fastest players on the field – in the 51st minute. Kerr was in behind the U.S. defense and looked like she would go 1-v-1 with Solo in a 1-1 match.

2015 June 06 – How has Becky Sauerbrunn settled into the USWNT defense?
Becky talks about how her role in the back line has changed since 2011.

2015 June 2nd – Becky Vocabulary
“She just sat there by herself in the garage,” says Becky’s mother. “She has always been super hard on herself. We call it ‘Becky vocabulary.’ – If she says she has a rotten game, we know she probably played pretty well. If she says she had an okay game, we know she must have been great.”

2015 April 4 – Why Sauerbrunn is the Most Important Player for Team USA at World Cup 2015
When it comes to building a championship team for any cup (be it Algarve or World), most would agree that consistent success relies upon the strong foundation of defense. And for the USWNT, that defense begins with Becky Sauerbrunn.

2015 April 01 – Sauerbrunn Playing Key Role for USWNT
This year, she is the only player to be on the field for the entirety (540 minutes) of the team’s six games and helped anchor the defense as the U.S. knocked off France 2-0 to capture its 10th Algarve Cup last month.

2015 March 20 – Sauerbrunn Named to 25 player roster for Final World Cup preparation

Becky started and played all 90 minutes in every game at the 2015 Algarve Cup
2015 March 11 – USWNT Wins 9th Algarve Cup
2015 March 09 – USWNT Draw with Iceland
2015 March 06 – USWNT Win 3-0 against Switzerland
2015 March 04 – USWNT Comeback for 2-1 Win over Norway

INTERNATIONAL

2014 October 8 – Three FC Kansas City Players to Represent USA in CONCACAF Qualifying
Two-time NWSL Defender of the Year, Becky Sauerbrunn also appeared in the 20 player roster. Sauerbrunn has 68 caps with USWNT since making her debut against Canada in 2008 and was subbed out due to a broken nose. This past season, she started in 22 matches and played a total of 1935 minutes and recorded one goal.

2014 August 19 Sauerbrunn Reflects on 2004 Trip to Thailand with U19’s
The very first venture into big-time international soccer for U.S. Women’s National Team players Becky Sauerbrunn and Amy Rodriguez turned into a bittersweet experience. Their participation at the 2004 FIFA Under-19 Women’s World Championship was quite sweet because of its exotic location – Thailand – and the competition opened the eyes of both teenagers to the demands of one the highest levels of international soccer.

It was bitter as well, because the Americans failed in their quest to win the championship and due to the damage and loss of life the great tsunami caused a month afterwards.

2014 June 20 – Julie Foudy chats with Becky about #USMNT and World Cup

2014 February 11, American Soccer Now – Sauerbrunn Pushes for spot on US Squad

As the U.S. women’s national team eyes World Cup qualifying this fall, 28-year-old defender Becky Sauerbrunn is showing that she has what it takes to anchor the backline.

2014 March 5 – USA and Japan Tie 1-1 to open Algarve Cup
2014 February 24 – Sauerbrunn Named to Algarve Cup squad

2014 January 31 – Sauerbrunn earns Woman of the Match honors against Canada, while earning her 50th cap with the start (video above, her assist begins 4:30 into video)

Sauerbrunn, who became the 46th player in U.S. WNT history to reach 50 career appearances, began the buildup with a precise give-and-go sequence with second-half sub Christen Press. Sauerbrunn crossed the ball from the right of the six-yard box to Leroux who was stationed at the left post. She stretched to push the ball into the open net for the long-awaited one-goal lead.

2012 May – US Soccer Sauerbrunn Named To 2012 U.S. Olympic Women’s Soccer Team
2012 April – US Soccer Becky Sauerbrunn’s Semifinal Step-Up

US Soccer Biography

Pitchside Report – London Olympics Blog

2012 Jul 30, SoccerSTL Will She Start against North Korea

2012 Mar 12, Pitchside Report “ON THE BUBBLE” – THE CASE FOR BECKY SAUERBRUNN

2012 February 26, St Louis Post-Dispatch – Ladue’s Sauerbrunn has Olympic aspirations
“It’s amazing not to give up any goals, and we’re happy about that,” said Becky Sauerbrunn, a Ladue High grad who started three of those qualifying games. “But we have not played to the best of our ability. We feel have a lot to work on before we head off to the Olympics.”

2012 February 17, Soccer Made In St Louis – Sauerbrunn discusses Olympics, WPS and Youth Soccer

2011 May 9 – Sundhage Names 2011 Women’s World Cup Squad
Krieger, LePeilbet, Lindsey, Sauerbrunn, Rapinoe and Morgan will participate in their first world championship at the senior level

2011 May 9 – Sundhage and Players Discuss 2011 Roster

Sundage On Becky Sauerbrunn:
“I think this is a very good example of how it takes not only a second chance, but a third chance. If you really love soccer, you get a chance, and if you’re skillful you get a chance to be called up to the national team. I saw her for the first time in 2008 and she went to the tournament in China, the very first I coached. After that she didn’t make it and there are certain things she had to work on. She comes back three, four years later and she’s done very well. The thing is, she can end up in the backline on the left side, on the right side and central. She has taken the opportunity, she is relaxed and she’s grabbing the chance, and she’s humble. That’s a huge thing and that’s why she will make this team better.”

Wambach On Becky Sauerbrunn:
“I think she’s one of the most consistent players that I’ve ever played with. She’s very calm, cool, collected on the ball, and as a forward going against a defender who is confident and technical on the ball, there’s probably nothing more frustrating when defending them. She’s a player that I go against quite often, and have for the last three years, on a consistent basis. I’m proud of Becky for staying with it. It’s not easy, mentally, to get called in three years ago and now getting her first shot at playing on a World Cup roster and in a World Cup. I’m proud of her because it just shows the strength and the fortitude of this person. She’s just a strong, great woman. I’m really, really happy for her.”

2010 October 22 – Becky’s Back

When an injury opened up a spot in the USA’s pre-World Cup qualifying training camp, Becky Sauerbrunn was a last minute call-up. After an excellent training camp, and with just two career caps, she finds herself in Cancún, Mexico, as part of the U.S. squad attempting to qualify for the 2011 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

2010 October 13 – Sundhage Names Roster for 2010 CONCACAF World Cup Qualifying Tournament

Ali Krieger (six caps) and Becky Sauerbrunn (two caps) are the least experienced of the bunch. Sauerbrunn, the only player in the short two-season history of Women’s Professional Soccer (WPS) to play every minute of all of her club’s regular season games, makes the qualifying roster after being a late and last addition to the USA’s training camp due to an injury to another player.

From US Soccer
Called into the U.S. team for the first time in January of 2008 and then earned a place on the roster for the Four Nations Tournament in China where she earned her first caps … Her first start and cap against Canada on Jan. 16, 2008, was also Pia Sundhage’s first match as head coach … Trained with the WNT in February of that year, but then traveled to Spain with the U.S. U-23s … Did not get another call-up to the senior team until after the 2010 WPS season and worked her way into the mix … 2010: Played in five matches, starting three, and made the roster for the CONCACAF Women’s World Cup Qualifying tournament, playing in one match … Youth National Teams: Played for the U.S. U-21s/U-23s in 2007 and 2008, winning Nordic Cup titles in both years … Co-captain of Nordic Cup champion U-23s in 2008 … Was a starter and co-captain for the USA at the 2004 FIFA U-19 Women’s World Cup in Thailand, playing every minute of all six games … Completed her U-19 career with 25 caps … Member of U.S. U-16s and U-17s from 2000-2002 … Attended the U.S. U-14 I.D. camp in 1999 … First Appearance: Jan. 16, 2008 vs. Canada … First Goal: None.

She played for the US U21s/U23s in 2007 and 2008, winning Nordic Cup titles in both years. She was a captain of the Nordic Cup U23 champions in 2008.

Becky was a starter and co-captain for the USA at the 2004 FIFA U19 Women’s World Cup in Thailand, playing every minute of all six games. She was one of three Americans named to the All-World Championship team as part of the U19 World Cup.

2004 November 22 – 11 Questions With Becky Sauerbrunn

PROFESSIONAL

2014 August 31 – Rodriguez, Holiday Lead FC Kansas City to NWSL Glory
The second season of the National Women’s Soccer League came to a close Sunday at Starfire Stadium as FC Kansas City defeated regular season champions Seattle Reign 2-1 to win the 2014 NWSL Championship.

2014 September 2 KC’s Risky Off-Season Pays off with Title
The 2013 Blues played with a style that backed up soccer’s moniker as the beautiful game. Scoring was an issue though. (A great story on Coach Vlatko Andonovski)

2014 August 29 – FC Kansas City teammates laud Sauerbrunn as World’s Best Center Back

2014 August 26 – BECKY SAUERBRUNN NAMED 2014 NWSL DEFENDER OF THE YEAR
FC Kansas City defender Becky Sauerbrunn was named the NWSL Defender of the Year for the 2014 season. She becomes the first repeat winner of an NWSL season-end award after also claiming the honor in 2013.

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2013 August 13 – BECKY SAUERBRUNN WINS NWSL DEFENDER OF THE YEAR
FC Kansas City defender Becky Sauerbrunn was voted the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) Defender of the Year for the 2013 NWSL season. Sauerbrunn, 28, started and played every minute of her 19 appearances to lead FC Kansas City’s defense to NWSL-best 11 shutouts and the second best goals against average (1.00) in the league.

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Photo by Craig Mitchelldyer/Portland Thorns FC

2013 Aug 22 – Becky is named NWSL Defender of the Year

Sauerbrunn, 28, started and played every minute of her 19 appearances to lead FC Kansas City’s defense a NWSL-best 11 shutouts and the second best goals against average (1.00) in the league.

The St. Louis native, along with Robinson and fellow defenders Lauren Sesselmann, Kristie Mewis, held opponents to the fewest shots on goal (94) in the NWSL – 18 SOG fewer than any other team in the league.

The University of Virginia product played every match during the Blues’ league-record 10-game unbeaten run June 23 – Aug. 4.

Also on the NWSL website – 11 Questions with Becky Sauerbrunn

2013 Jan 11 – Sauerbrunn Allocated to FC Kansas City in new National Women’s Soccer League

The only player to play every minute of both WPS regular seasons so far … 2010: She started all 24 matches for the Freedom and picked one up assist … Played all 120 minutes in playoff match against Philadelphia … 2009: Selected by the Washington Freedom as the third overall pick in the 2008 WPS General Draft ahead of the inaugural season … She started all 20 games during and scored one goal, a spectacular header for the Freedom’s first WPS goal … 2008: Played for the Freedom in W-League during 2008 … Played for the Richmond Kickers in the W-League in 2006-2007 and the Boston Renegades in 2005.

COLLEGE
Becky played at the University of Virginia from 2003-2007 where she played all but 10 minutes of every game. She is the Virginia Cavaliers’ only three time NSCAA all-american and was named first-team all-american and the ACC Defensive Player of the year as a senior in 2007.

YOUTH
Becky began playing with J B Marine as a U12 player in SLYSA and won state championships, finishing second at regionals at U16, U17, U18 and U19. In 2004 her J B Marine team won the U23 National Championship.

While attending Ladue high school, Becky was a two-time NSCAA youth all-american and parade all-american, 2003 Gatorade Missouri player of the year and first team Post Dispatch All-Metro scoring 21 goals and 19 assists during her senior year.
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