When Julie Foudy won two World Cups and two Olympics medals, she wore the number 11 – the same number that she wore when she started playing AYSO at age 7 while living in Mission Viejo, CA.
Hall of Famer Started Her Career in AYSO
“I begged my mom to sign me up for soccer and joined a team called the Strikers,” said Foudy. “When it came to pass out the shirts, I knew what I wanted. I was this feisty little 7-year-old who thought I was the best, so I should have the No. 1. They told me the goalie has to take that number, so I went with the double No. 1. That’s how I became No. 11 for the rest of my life. Thanks to the Strikers.”
Foudy has many fond memories of her AYSO experience that led to one of the most illustrious careers in women’s sports history. She believes that being allowed to enjoy the game and explore it on her own terms was the key to her success.”AYSO emphasizes all the positives of soccer: the enjoyment that kids get from the sport, understanding how to play on a team and be a good teammate, and developing skills in a fun environment. I watched my nieces and nephews go through AYSO and I look forward to watching my own kids enjoy soccer through AYSO!”
Foudy retired in 2004 after captaining the U.S. Women’s National Team 13 of the 18 years she played on it. She played in three Olympics and four World Cups. And, only two players in the world, former teammates Mia Hamm and Kristine Lilly top Foudy’s 271 U.S. National Team appearances.
Foudy’s U.S. National Team soccer career is a storied one. She’s won two World Cups (in 1991 and 1999), two Gold Medals (in 1996 and 2004) and a Silver Medal (in 2000). In her 271 appearances for the U.S. National Team, Foudy scored 45 goals. Foudy played pro soccer with the San Diego Spirit of the now defunct WUSA, where she captained all three years. Foudy was inducted to the AYSO Hall of Fame in 2006 and the National Soccer Hall of Fame in 2007.
Foudy’s had a profound impact off the field as well. She was the President of the Women’s Sports Foundation from 2000-2002, served on the Women’s Sports Foundation Board of Directors for seven years and was a WSF advocacy consultant for two years, with a focus on Title IX, childhood obesity, and athletes’ rights issues. Foudy currently sits on the board of Athletes for Hope (AFH), a 501(c)(3) charitable organization created by successful athletes who have a deep commitment to charitable and community causes. Foudy is the global spokeswoman for Global Girl Media, a new non-profit helping young women around the world find their voice through journalism. She is also an ambassador for Beyond Sport, a global organization that promotes, develops and funds the use of sport to create positive social change across the world. Foudy has been instrumental in a number of women’s rights and child labor issues around the world. FIFA, the international governing body of soccer, awarded her the FIFA Fair Play Award for her work against child labor in the stitching of soccer balls. She was the first woman and first American to receive the award.
She is currently an analyst for ABC/ESPN and the NBC Olympics, director of her Julie Foudy Sports Leadership Academies, a motivational speaker, and proud mother of two children, Isabel and Declan.
Questions & Answers
Age started playing soccer: 7
Why she loves AYSO: AYSO emphasizes all the positives of soccer: the enjoyment that kids get from the sport, understanding how to play on a team and be a good teammate, and developing skills in a fun environment. I watched my nieces and nephews go through AYSO and I look forward to watching my own kids enjoy soccer through AYSO!
Favorite AYSO memory: My AYSO coach gave us fun prizes for juggling, so I spent hours juggling and trying to reach those goals. We got something for 25 juggles, something else for 50, and on up. What that really taught me was the importance of time on the ball. When you love the ball, the skills and confidence follow.
What advice would you give a first-time AYSO coach? First of all, I’d tell them they’re not going to be an expert right away! They can read all the books in the world about the technical skills, but the most important thing is to create an environment where the kids feel comfortable and it’s fun to learn. You don’t have to turn them into an Abby Wambach or Landon Donovan…just let them have fun and love playing soccer!
As a volunteer and AYSO Hall of Famer, Hugh set an example of positive coaching, dedicated leadership and inspiring mentorship both on and off the pitch. He served on the National Coaching Commission for fourteen years, chairing it for a dozen, where he worked to develop coach education and training. As an advisor to the National Board, he never hesitated to share what he felt was right to ensure that every child’s AYSO involvement was the best experience. He served actively on numerous task forces and commissions including, Extended Play, Playtime Study and Programs and Education, which resulted in the development of the EXTRA, Playground and Schoolyard programs.
