In 2012, Pine-Richland graduate Meghan Klingenberg served as an alternate for the U.S. Women’s Olympic Soccer team. This year in Rio de Janeiro, Klingenberg will have the opportunity to be on the medal stand.
“Being able to compete with them this time on the field and be in the locker room and be a part of the team is really special to me.”
Klingenberg played for the 2015 World Cup winning team and attributes its success to their attitude.
“We want to win because we want to be the best,” said Klingenberg. “We want to play the best soccer. We want to be the best competitors. We want to be the best on and off the field.”
The olympic team is smaller than the world cup team, but Klingenberg said it is filled with talent.
“We might field a different team every game and still be just as potent because we have such depth on our roster.”
This depth will be vital in the team’s journey for a medal. Klingenberg described the Olympic tournament as “incredibly hard” due to less down time between games and fewer teams competing.
“Every team that’s made it has had to go through a lot to get to this point.”
France, Germany, and Brazil are standout teams to Klingenberg that will challenge their goal of a gold medal.
Despite the controversy over Rio de Janiero’s saftety, Klingenberg is not going to allow the threat of Zika virus worry her. She says the team is doing everything to abide by CDC recommendations and stay healthy during their time in Brazil.
“Frankly, that’s something I can’t worry about if we’re going to win an olympic gold medal,” said Klingenberg. “I’m just excited to be able to go and represent my country. It’s an honor.”
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