David Silverman | DSPics.com

Amy LePeilbet, the 2009 MedImmune Defender of the Year, found confidence in Boston and is now looking to improve the technical side of her game.

 

After the close of the inaugural WPS season, Boston Breakers’ center back and 2009 MedImmune Defender of the Year, Amy LePeilbet, sat down to recap the return of women’s professional soccer, the Boston Breakers falling just short of the playoffs, and playing with the U.S. Women’s National Team again.

WPS: What did the launch of WPS mean to you and your career as a professional soccer player?

LePeilbet: I have had my ups and downs. I didn’t know if I was going to continue playing and what to do next after tearing my ACL (in 2006). And then WPS launched. I was so excited. I thought, ‘I am going to give this a run and see if I can keep playing.’ If it weren’t for this, I don’t think I would be playing soccer anymore. I had a wonderful experience this season and feel completely honored to be playing in this league, with the best players in the world and what an honor it is to be next to them. Up in Boston there is Kelly [Smith], Alex [Scott], and Kristine [Lilly], all world class athletes. Nowhere else in the world would I be able to play next to them. I was excited to step out on the soccer field every day.

In general, just for women’s athletics it is exciting, and for all those girls watching us. We had a clinic at the end of the season training 10-year-olds. There are these little superstars out there and it is awesome that they have role models like us playing in WPS. I know one day they are going to be out here too. I feel like we are starting something that is going to be here through the years to come.

WPS: What was the biggest change or accomplishment you made towards your game this season?

LePeilbet: I think one of my biggest things was being able to train every single day at a very high level again because that allowed me to build confidence. When I am confident, I play much better and I also had a very supportive team that believed in me. I think there are many things I still need to improve technically, but as an athlete confidence is so incredibly important and I think I found that in Boston. This off-season I need to take the time to improve technical things like long balls and heading. If I can improve five percent, I think I did what I was supposed to do and will help my team improve next year.

WPS: Reflecting on the 2009 season, what do you think kept Boston out of the playoffs?

LePeilbet: I think we under performed, and under achieved which is slightly frustrating because I am competitive and know our team is too. You wouldn’t be a pro athlete if you weren’t [competitive]. I think we are capable of more and next year we will jell better and in the offensive third be more creative and start finishing. I know we can do it. It is just that it didn’t go our way this year. We learned a lot from it and are going to get better. Defensively we just need to get stronger and stronger and as a team lift our level. Sometimes it is good motivation not to make the playoffs the first year because you are going to have that extra fire in you the next year.

WPS: You have been absent from the U.S. Women’s National Team for the last two years. What has it been like to get called back in with the team again this year?

LePeilbet: I am super excited to be in with the national team. It’s been so much fun. It’s nice because there isn’t as much pressure on me since there is WPS now. I have a soccer career with WPS so when I go into the national team it isn’t like this is the end all be all for soccer. I’m a little more confident since I am playing at a high level. (Head Coach) Pia [Sundhage] is amazing, very supportive and believes in our team. The national team is an unbelievable team and I am honored to have the opportunity to play with them and look forward to playing with them more.