Kennedy Wesley could become the 264th player to be capped for the United States Women\u2019s National Team (USWNT) this month.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
It is quite the achievement for the defender, who was torn between playing football<\/a> and gymnastics until she was 15.<\/p>\n \u201cI knew from when I was really young that I wanted to be a professional athlete in some sense,\u201d she told All for XI<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cI came to the conclusion that if I really wanted to excel in any sport, I had to pick one.\u201d<\/p>\n Excel is exactly what she has done\u2014Stanford alumna to NWSL rookie, and now a mainstay in the San Diego Wave backline.<\/p>\n Despite her raw talent, Wesley also attributes her rise to picking the brain of Naomi Girma<\/a> for the season they spent together before the latter\u2019s million-dollar move to Chelsea.<\/p>\n \u201cShe is always some I looked up to in that position, on the field and off it,\u201d the California native revealed.<\/p>\n \u201cTalking to her and getting her ideas on how she adjusted from college to the league was super helpful.\u201d<\/p>\n Despite being agemates, Wesley is a huge admirer of Girma’s poise and calmness.<\/p>\n