Player: Nikki Marshall

Recently, we were excited for the chance to talk to former pro player Nikki Marshall, who is was  a starting defender for the Portland Thorns and who also won a U-20 World Cup in 2008 with teammates Sydney Leroux and Alex Morgan. While she was in line and hoping to make the next cycle for the U.S. Women's National Team before the upcoming 2015 World Cup and 2016 Summer Olympics, Marshall suffered a torn ACL, which ultimately led to her retirement. Below, Nikki shares her thoughts on how she overcame one of her worst moments in soccer, as well as what it was like being a part of the best team in the world at her age group. 

1. Where are you from? I grew up in Mead, Colorado, a little farm town in Northern Colorado.

2. How old are you? 26

3. What teams do you play with today? I play for the Portland Thorns and I was just called in to the full team [USWNT] a few months ago. And when I’m home in Boulder training during off-season, I call my team the "FC All Blacks." It’s my little Boulder indoor team that I’m so much in love with. 

4. How did you start playing? Well my first love was actually baseball. My dad was a big baseball player and he got us into baseball really young. I played baseball and softball all through my freshman year of high school. I also started playing recreational soccer when I was 12, but I decided my freshman year of high school I was going to quit playing soccer and focus only on softball. I think that's when I realized that I wanted to make soccer my serious thing because I just missed it so much. I missed the camraderie and the more creative type of play. So I decided after that season to go full-flip back to soccer.

5. What’s your signature move? Honestly, nothing fancy. I call it the "bump n' run" where I rely on my athleticism. I give the ball a little touch and then turn on the jets.

6. What’s one skill you think any player needs to cultivate? I would say being able to pass with different surfaces of your foot. Being able to texture a ball and learning how to play different balls into the box can separate you from other players and develop your game.

7. Who are your soccer heroes? My soccer hero growing up was always Mia Hamm; I think she is incredible. I also like to watch Marcelo play, because I am a defender now and he is someone I want to emulate.

8. Who’s your team in World Cup 2014? My team was Spain, but obviously that's not going to happen. I think I'm in the running for Brazil just because it's their home country and I think they're playing well.

9. What’s your greatest moment on the pitch? My greatest moment was when we won the 2008 [FIFA U-20] World Cup in Chile. It was unbelievable to be in a moment where I knew I was a part of a team that was the best in the world at my age group. And I got to play with some people who are big names right now on the women’s team, like Alex Morgan and Sydney Leroux. But I think the most amazing part to me was the culture - the soccer culture in that country. It was a privilege to be able to play in front of them and have them feel like we were playing good soccer.

10. What’s your worst moment on the pitch? Hands-down, my worst moment was my freshman year. We had made it to the Big 12 tournament and we had just beaten Texas A&M in the semi-finals and we were facing the University of Texas in the championship. The game had gone to a penalty kick shootout and I was the sixth shooter. I just remember walking up there, setting the ball down, and hitting it with confidence. And I missed wide left. It was a devastating moment for me.

11. How did you get past your worst moment? It took me a while. I was young and I did not have a lot of perspective, but my assistant coach, Paul Hogan, picked me up and said, "It's okay, this stuff happens, and it's just a game. This is life and there's so much more than soccer." Overall I think that's how you get through it, your teammates and the people who believe in you pick you up. It is just a game and you know that if you take a PK again that you are going to make it.

12. What’s the “ultimate soccer experience” you’d like to have? This has been my dream since I was 12 and it has been to win a World Cup or an Olympic gold medal with the full Women's National Team. 

13. What music do you listen to before a big game? I'm a person who would rather listen to mellow music before a game instead of raging, pump-up music because I think the mind is extremely powerful. I’m a little bit high strong in general, so when I can be a little bit more calm before the game and visualize...that's my go-to before games.

14. What soccer talent would you most like to have? I think being able to finish in the air. I just want to have that knack some players have to get on the end of a corner kick and be able to finish every time.

15. What do you most value in your teammates? One thing I value most in my teammates is that they will step onto the field every game and work their butts off every time. We're not always going to have a great game, but as long as we're all working harder than the other team then we're going to be better than the other team. That's my philosophy.

16. What advice would you give to someone new to soccer? I think just enjoying the game, one. And two, understanding and realizing the creativity that soccer allows you to have versus other sports that are more play-by-play. I missed out on that when I was younger and if I had just embraced that I might not have ever walked away from soccer. 

17. What sports and activities do you enjoy off the pitch? I love to snowboard and I love camping with my family. We have a little cabin that we go up to often and we go fishing and have campfires and just enjoy each other.

18. Where will we see you in 5 years? My ultimate goal is to make this next cycle with the full team for the World Cup and the Olympics. I will always have that dream even if I don't make it this year, that I might make it in four or five years. So maybe you'll see me there!