Becky Sauerbrunn

Becky Sauerbrunn
Personal information
Full nameRebecca Elizabeth Sauerbrunn
Date of birthJune 6, 1985
Place of birthSt. Louis, Missouri, United States
Height5 ft 7 in (1.70 m)
Playing positionDefender
Club information
Current team
FC Kansas City
Number4
Youth career
J.B. Marine S.C.
2003–2007Virginia Cavaliers
Senior career*
YearsTeamApps†(Gls)†
2005Boston Renegades11(1)
2006–2007Richmond Kickers Destiny21(2)
2008–2010Washington Freedom50(1)
2009→ Røa IL (loan)
2011magicJack13(0)
2012D.C. United Women4(1)
2013–FC Kansas City41(1)
National team‡
United States U-17
United States U-19
United States U-23
2008–United States78(0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of April 14, 2013.

† Appearances (Goals).

‡ National team caps and goals correct as of April 4, 2015

Rebecca Elizabeth "Becky" Sauerbrunn (born June 6, 1985) is an American professional soccer defender who currently plays for FC Kansas City in the National Women's Soccer League and is a member of the United States women's national soccer team. She played during one semifinal match of the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup, a 3–1 win against France, and during three matches in the 2012 Summer Olympics, including the semifinal and gold medal matches.

Early life

Sauerbrunn was born in St. Louis, Missouri, to Scott and Jane Sauerbrunn. She has two older brothers, Grant and Adam.[1]

Becky attended Ladue High School and was a four-year letterwinner in soccer, volleyball and basketball. She was named soccer team captain playing as a sweeper and central midfielder. During her senior season, she scored 21 goals and made 19 assists. She was named 2003 Missouri Gatorade Player of the Year, 2002 and 2003 Parade All-American, 2001 NSCAA Youth All-American, and 2002 NSCAA Adidas (U-17) All-American. Sauerbrunn was also a member of the J.B. Marine Club team and helped the team to four state cup championships and the 2000 regional championship.[1][2]

University of Virginia

Sauerbrunn attended the University of Virginia and was a member of the Virginia Cavaliers women's soccer team from 2003 to 2007. With the Cavaliers, she became the only three-time NSCAA All-American in school history, and was named First-Team NSCAA All-American and the ACC Defensive Player of the Year as a redshirt senior in 2007. She graduated from University of Virginia in 2007 where she majored in English. In her senior year, she was named the National Soccer Coaches Association of America Scholar Athlete of the Year.[3]

Playing career

Club

Sauerbrunn played for the Washington Freedom during the 2008 W-League season and was subsequently selected by the club as the third overall pick in the 2008 WPS General Draft ahead of the 2009 launch of the new Women's Professional Soccer league. She played every minute of every game for the Washington Freedom in 2009 and 2010, then stayed with the team when it moved to Florida and became MagicJack.

Following the suspension of the Women's Professional Soccer league, she joined the D.C. United Women in 2012, though her availability was limited due to her national team obligations.[3][4]

On January 11, 2013, Sauerbrunn was one of three members from the United States women's national team that was allocated to the new NWSL club FC Kansas City, along with Nicole Barnhart and Lauren Cheney.[5] Sauerbrunn was awarded Defender of the Year in the league's inaugural season. In the 2014 season she was named Defend of the Year for the second year in a row and co-captained league champions FC Kansas City.

International

In her senior United States debut against Canada in 2008, Sauerbrunn was substituted after sustaining a broken nose.[6]

After Rachel Buehler was red carded in the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup quarter–final win over Brazil, and therefore was suspended for one match; Sauerbrunn started in the semi–final win over France.[7]

She was part of the United States team at the 2012 Summer Olympics, making three appearances totaling 35 minutes, including the semifinal and gold medal matches.[8][9]

Honors and awards

Team

with FC Kansas City:

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Becky Sauerbrunn player profile". University of Virginia. Retrieved November 30, 2012.
  2. ↑ "Q&A with Becky Sauerbrunn". Ladue News. Retrieved November 30, 2012.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 "Becky Sauerbrunn profile". US Soccer. Retrieved November 15, 2012.
  4. ↑ Breen, Matt (July 14, 2012). "Becky Sauerbrunn, U.S. women hope Olympic success spurs renewed interest in pro league". Washington Post. Retrieved November 30, 2012.
  5. ↑ "NWSL announces allocation of 55 National Team Players to Eight Clubs". US Soccer. January 11, 2013.
  6. ↑ Grant Wahl (July 15, 2011). "U.S. stars Abby Wambach, Hope Solo talk gnarliest soccer moments". SI.com. Retrieved 2011-07-15.
  7. ↑ "Sauerbrunn to step in for Buehler". Fox News. July 13, 2011. Retrieved 2011-07-15.
  8. ↑ "Becky Sauerbrunn 2012 Olympics bio". NBC. Retrieved November 15, 2012.
  9. ↑ "Sauerbrunn's limited time is as good as gold". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Retrieved November 30, 2012.
  10. ↑ "FC Kansas City Earns 2014 NWSL Championship". FC Kansas City. August 31, 2014. Retrieved 12 November 2014.

External links

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