Kennedy Wesley could become the 264th player to be capped for the United States Women’s National Team (USWNT) this month.
Called up to camp by Emma Hayes for the first time, she is looking to join the growing list of young U.S. players to debut under the English coach.
It is quite the achievement for the defender, who was torn between playing football and gymnastics until she was 15.
“I knew from when I was really young that I wanted to be a professional athlete in some sense,” she told All for XI.
“I came to the conclusion that if I really wanted to excel in any sport, I had to pick one.”
Excel is exactly what she has done—Stanford alumna to NWSL rookie, and now a mainstay in the San Diego Wave backline.
Despite her raw talent, Wesley also attributes her rise to picking the brain of Naomi Girma for the season they spent together before the latter’s million-dollar move to Chelsea.
“She is always some I looked up to in that position, on the field and off it,” the California native revealed.
“Talking to her and getting her ideas on how she adjusted from college to the league was super helpful.”
Despite being agemates, Wesley is a huge admirer of Girma’s poise and calmness.
“She taught me so much between learning [new things] and things that I already had in my toolshed – it’s been kind of fun to put everything together,” she added.
For all she is inspired by others, though, Wesley is making her own way to the top.