The Official Site of Heather O'Reilly

Question:

Do you have any pregame rituals?

Answer:

That’s a good question. I’m not superstitious with pre-game rituals. I listen to pretty chill music with teammates. And I’ve been listening to the same song since I was 15, Third Eye Blind song, Motorcylce Driveby. Now with my FC team, my teammate fixes my socks to make sure they’re just right.

Question:

What do you think of the US Men's chances in the upcoming world cup?

Answer:

I like their chances. I think that Coach Bob Bradley has definitely done his homework. He came and talked to us with the women’s team when we were in LA a couple of months ago. I really like his vision for the team the way that they can play. I think he has done a really good job these last couple of years assembling a team. And some players are playing great right now – Clint Dempsey ‘s playing really well , Landon Donovan, Tim Howard, everybody looks sharp. So I do like their chances. I think that it’s going to be huge for the US in general to open up against England. I mean, what a better opening game of the World Cup for American soccer fans. So hopefully we’ll get a good result in that first game and take that momentum in the group games and I think the US will definitely advance from their group. After that I think it’s almost just a battle of wills. To just take it one game at a time and I do like their chances. I feel like this could be a breakout tournament for the US Men’

Question:

Is it weird to be labeled a veteran of the USWNT bc you are still so young?

Answer:

Yeah I think that it’s still strange. Sometimes we break up according to number of caps that we have or number of years on the team and stuff like that and I find myself towards the very top of the team. I’ve always sort of been the younger player so now that role is changing for me a bit. But it’s something that I’m trying to embrace. It was always fun being the young kid but now I feel almost a responsibility to look out for some of the younger up and coming players and to make them comfortable like some of the older girls made me comfortable coming in. Now I have a lot of experience under my belt – I’ve been to two Olympics and one World Cup – and I need to (sort of) take responsibility as a veteran player now.

Question:

Whats the biggest challenge you've faced in your career?

Answer:

In 2003 I broke my leg right before the World Cup so was unable to play and that was the first time I'd faced any serious injury. It was the first time I had to just let my body take its course. And as strong willed as you can be you can't control recovery time. I learned a great deal of patience.

Question:

Who was your role model for soccer?

Answer:

I had incredible role models. Kristine Lilly is someone that I looked up to my whole soccer career.