I was excited to learn today that one of the players on the women’s USA World Cup Soccer team is from St. Simons Island, home of our U.S. based Fierce offices. Morgan Brian went to school and played soccer with our new Fierce intern, Ansley. I asked Ansley to write a little blog post about their friendship today as we celebrate the USA team’s amazing victory this weekend.
Here is Ansley’s guest post:
From hometown hero to international soccer superstar, Morgan Brian has taken the world by “Storm.”
Growing up on St. Simons Island with Morgan and playing by her side was a pleasure. Everyone always wanted Morgan on their team because you were guaranteed to win. At Frederica Academy, she led our team to four consecutive State Championships. In Club, with Ponte Vedra Storm (Florida Sol), we won state, regional, and even a national title in 2012.
I remember when Morgan and I were in the fourth grade and she came over to trick-or-treat with me in my neighborhood. Of course we dressed up as SpongeBob SquarePants, her favorite. We were running down the stairs of a house and she tripped and tumbled down. I immediately dropped my candy and gasped watching her fall down the stairs. Not even 5 seconds after the tumble, with scraped and bleeding elbows and knees, she popped up and screamed, “Let’s go get some more candy!” This is just one example of her drive and the heart that she puts into every task she faces. From that point on she continued to amaze me, her peers, her teachers, mentors, and especially her coaches.
In college she had a very successful career and was the fifth player in history to win a second Hermann Trophy for the best NCAA women’s soccer player. However, I think the award she and the nation are most proud of is being a 2015 World Cup Champion!
Being only 22, Brian has one of the most decorated soccer resumes in history and her talents continue to flourish. This will not be the last you see of Morgan Brian. Congratulations to the youngest member of the U.S. Women’s National Team and World Cup Champion. Your hometown is so proud of you!
