Exclusive Q&A: 2015 FIFA World Player of the Year Carli Lloyd
Heineken is firmly planting their stake into the ground with a U.S. led campaign, "Soccer is Here," to recognize world class soccer players who helped bring the sport to where it is today, featuring legends like Carli Lloyd, Landon Donovan and David Villa.
Lloyd, the 2015 FIFA World Player of the Year, hits the airwaves as the first female soccer athlete to ever represent a beer brand, and speaks to the support she's witnessed that Soccer is Here in just a very few years. The spot launched this week, prior to her journey in aiming to achieve a fifth Gold medal in U.S. Women's National Team history.
Soccer isn't just an every four-year-fad; through Soccer Is Here, Heineken is pulling casual fans and supporter-section regulars to rally around the beautiful game, by tuning in, heading to stadiums & bars, and sharing their favorite soccer moments via @HeinekenSoccer.
Carli had a chance to hang out with AOL Sports and discuss her career:
Q: How did you get involved with this really cool ad?
A: Honestly, I just got word of it, and 'soccer is here' seemed great and I wanted to be a part of it. We are lucky we were able to make it happen and do the shoot. The campaign is great. I had to brush up on the Spanish skills and actually say a bunch of lines in Spanish – but it was fun. We're bridging the gap from casual fans to people who love soccer.
Q: You're one of the faces of soccer now, but was that ever actually your goal growing up?
A: The No. 1 goal has always been here from the start, and that was trying to get on the national team. Most people would laugh at that and think I was aiming pretty big. I wanted that to happen, so I worked hard each day. At times, it was frustrating and difficult. But I was always true to myself and went to work every single day and worked as hard as I could. I kind of flew under the radar for quite some, all the way from scoring three goals in World Cup final. I defintiely want to continue to work hard. even if you may not see results right away, but keep at it and eventually things would come.
Q: The USWNT has generated so much attention and has attracted so many new fans. Is all the attention ever overwhelming?
A: I think it's a good thing. Never had to deal with it in my career. Now I'm going on interview appearances and requests. I try to fit everything in. I run myself ragged, but the most important thing is keep working hard to perform on the field. It's different, but I've learned how to manage it and I learned what's worked for me. The support and outreach for our team has been amazing.
Q: Were you always cool under pressure? Or, did you progressively develop your knack for coming up big in the clutch?
A: I grew into it. I think my trainer, James Galanis, instilled it in me. I used to be someone who couldn't power through obstacles. Now, no matter what it is, I know I can come out stronger. I thrive under pressure.
Q: What was it like during the World Cup final. Three goals!
A: I was in a zone, to be honest. The first one was designed for me. Talking to James beforehand, I told him that, but he said don't make just that one -- make every one. I just found a way to get ball in the back of the net.
