Below is an interview with Homare Sawa, the 2011 FIFA Player of the Year and international soccer icon. Sawa discusses the postitives of playing soccer in the United States, how her time playing in the U.S. influenced her personally and in soccer and her thoughts on ISU Head Coach Allison Gibson.
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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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