Now a mother and a captain, Rampone moves into the forefront
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
By: Karyn Lush | womensprosoccer.com
(March 26, 2008) – Four years ago at the Olympics in Athens, Greece, Christie Rampone was simply a right back – a steady, dependable right back - but still a right back. She stayed out of the spotlight while filling an unglamorous role on a team dominated by veterans making their last collective hurrah.
Flash forward to the present with the U.S. National Team preparing to enter 2008 CONCACAF Olympic Qualifying where a top two finish will clinch a berth to the Beijing Games and give the U.S. the opportunity to defend its 2004 gold medal.
Now Rampone is at the forefront. The armband wrapped around her left arm and the cheerful toddler yanking on her hand place her there.
(Paulo Cordeiro/isiphotos.com)
Rylie Rampone helped her mom celebrate the 2008 Algarve Cup title on March 12 in Portugal.
With Kristine Lilly stepping aside from the National Team to have a baby, the captaincy was vacant. As head coach Pia Sundhage settled into her new position, she surveyed her new charges for a leader, someone who could rally her teammates and also serve as a communication link between the players and the coaching staff. Sundhage tabbed Rampone, a ten-year veteran of the National Team who was once known as one of the quietest players on the squad.
Having shifted from the flank to center back, Rampone now anchors the defensive line and directs more of her team’s play.
“I love being in the center of the back because I can control and lead the team and see what I see out there and feel the game,” Rampone said. “I’ve been enjoying it and the team has been amazing with the changes that have occurred from January with Pia and our different style and everyone is embracing it. I’m really proud of the team for how we’re playing and how everyone is taking a leadership role and trying to help this team accomplish its goals.”
So far, the U.S. has checked off both of its goals for 2008: winning the year-opening Four Nations Tournament and clinching the Algarve Cup earlier this month. Next up is Olympic Qualifying in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico from April 2-12. Rampone is embracing each new challenge, whether it be helping the team to perform well at a tournament, pushing her teammates to practice their best in training or dealing with an off-field issue.
“Everything is for a reason and for a purpose and I’ve enjoyed every part of it,” she said of wearing the captain’s armband. “Yeah, some things may be harder than others to handle but that’s part of it and that’s part of what I enjoy. I’m just trying to get this team ready for qualifying and everything I can do to get us there is my mission now.”
For all of Rampone’s leadership assets – her willingness to listen, her ability to set a good example for her teammates and her readiness to speak up – it may have been her little girl, Rylie, who prepared her mom to assume the captaincy the best.
Born on Sept. 29, 2005 to Rampone and her husband, Chris, Rylie formed an immediate connection between Christie and nearly all of her teammates. When Rylie was an infant, they wanted to hold her and coo at her. Now that she is walking and talking, they play games with her, read to her and generally keep her entertained.
“Our journey together has been great and I think she’s brought the best out of me, especially now being captain,” Rampone said of her daughter. “She allowed me to interact with my teammates a lot better and she is definitely a joy around the team. It’s a great balance for me, and I enjoy both being a mom and a captain.”
While Rylie won’t make the trip to Mexico for qualifying, she will journey to China in August for the fourth time in her young life should the U.S. secure a spot in Beijing. Already Rylie is gaining an appreciation for the beautiful game that includes getting in a few touches herself.
“She definitely is kicking and dribbling the soccer ball around,” said Rampone. “She understands that mommy goes to soccer and she goes to training and as soon as I put on the jersey with the patch she knows that it’s mommy’s time. But she definitely also is throwing the ball a lot. She’s got potential as of right now.”
If she takes after her mother, Rylie’s potential and accompanying stature will only continue to grow.
Karyn Lush is a regular contributor to womensprosoccer.com and can be reached at karyn.lush@womensprosoccer.com. The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author's, and not necessarily those of Women’s Professional Soccer or womensprosoccer.com.