012: Abby Smith of the Utah Royals

The starting goalkeeper for the NWSL’s Utah Royals, Abby Smith is back from injury and making the most of a fantastic opportunity and a great situation. And with three recent call-ups to the U.S. Women’s National Team, her first senior cap for her country can’t be too far away.

In today’s episode, Abby talks about her youth soccer experiences in Texas, playing for the Dallas Texans, the U.S. Olympic Development Program, and several stages of the Youth National Team. In college, she moved south to Austin, where she starred for the Texas Longhorns in a record-setting career.

After college, Abby was drafted by the Boston Breakers of the NWSL and signed her first pro contract in 2016. Unfortunately, she suffered a terrible knee injury early in her first season, and we talk at length about the long and arduous recovery process.

Among other things, Abby addresses the value of physical fitness for goalkeepers, and also the common frustration of fighting for minutes and for starting jerseys, and how to use that struggle as a motivator. I hope you enjoy the show!

Special thanks to Abby Smith for joining me!