Women's Soccer | 10/17/2016 6:38:00 PM
POCATELLO, Idaho -- Early last June, Head Coach
Allison Gibson traveled to Denver, Colo. to watch the United States and Japan women's national soccer teams play in a friendly match prior to the start of the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. The trip served as not only an opportunity to watch some high-level soccer, but it also gave Gibson an opportunity to visit with one of her oldest friends, Homare Sawa.
Sawa and Gibson met in Japan in 1996 when they were both part of the 10-team Japanese professional women's soccer league, the L-League. A few months following the end of their time in Japan, Gibson and Sawa roomed together in Denver, coaching the Colorado Rush (a U-17 club team) and playing for the Denver Diamonds. The Denver Diamonds were part of the W-League, the highest amateur league prior to the creation of the Women's United Soccer Association (WUSA), the first women's professional soccer league, in 2001.
The trip back to Denver this past June served as more than just a simple reunion. The television company Sawa works for as a soccer commentator requested Gibson's presence and cooperation in helping to tell the story of their lives together in Denver almost 20 years ago. In the video, they visited the house where Sawa and Gibson lived, the training facility and stadium where they spent most of their days and other memorable places along the way.
To view the full video, click
here.
While Gibson was in Denver, she also took some time to speak to Sawa about the benefits of playing in the United States as an international as well as how Sawa would describe Gibson and her coaching style. Take a look at the interview below.
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Question (Idaho State): How did your playing experience in the United States influence your overall career?
Answer (Sawa): First of all, I learned the styles of U.S. soccer, the language and made my mentality stronger. I was strongly influenced from playing in the United States.
Q: What are a few things you learned from your playing time in the U.S. that you were able to relate to football and life?
A: I studied English very hard, and I learned to communicate with others. I learned to explain my ideas and express myself. I could effectively communicate my ideas with others. In relation to football, I improved my ability to head the ball through my experience playing in the United States.
Q: Would you recommend Japanese youth to play overseas? How do you think the experience would benefit them?
A: If you are interested in playing soccer overseas, the most important thing is to have the will to challenge yourself to do so. If you can afford the tuition [or earn a scholarship] and daily life expenses, follow your dreams. As I did, you can also strengthen your mentality. If you decide to play overseas, your worldview will change, you'll gain precious experiences from the challenge, and you'll be able to gain another view of the world.
Q: What advice would you give to Japanese youth heading to play collegiate football in the United States?
A: Although I didn't study or play at an American university, youth heading to play collegiate soccer should strive to do their best in both soccer and academics.
Q: How would you describe Coach Gibson's coaching style?
A: I've seen her coach young players in a very sincere and enthusiastic way. She is always encouraging the players; you can hear it in her voice when she coaches them.
Q: What was your favorite thing about playing with, and against, Coach Gibson?
A: She always showed us her best when she was playing in Japan.
Q: How do you think ISU Head Coach
Allison Gibson could/would positively influence Japanese football players in the United States?
A: Coach Gibson can speak and understand a little Japanese, and she can effectively coach Japanese youth players because she has experienced the Japanese lifestyle and culture in addition to understanding the different styles of Japanese soccer. She has the top license in the U.S. Soccer Federation, so I think she would coach them well.
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