Amy Lepeilbet: A comeback story

Amy Lepeilbet’s Soccer Story: A Great Comeback

By Kevin McSpadden

Injuries are a part of sports. They are a regular part of the lifestyle surrounding athletics. For most athletes who have experienced an injury, they view it as an obstacle to overcome. A torn ACL is often viewed as an unfortunate setback during their quest for success. However, injuries also provide perspective, and in some cases, a little perspective can transform a career.

A starter and defender on the U.S. Women’s Soccer Team, Amy Lepeilbet’s story is one of a player overcoming injury to make a personal comeback. However, to call Lepeilbet an underdog would be misdiagnosing her achievements. Since 2004 Amy has been one of the most consistent and versatile defenders in the world. What makes Lepeilbet’s story so intriguing is that it took a torn ACL to propel her from the solid contributor role into an elite player on the world stage.

During her college career at Arizona State, Amy Lepeilbet was one of the best defenders in the country. She was one of the keystone members of the Arizona State women’s soccer program that brought them to heightened success in the Pac-10.

From 2001-2003, she was a first team Pac-10 defender as well as being a member of the Pac-10 all-academic team. During those years, Lepeilbet was the best defender on the team and was the key reason why the Sun Devils tied a school record with five straight shutouts.

During her first stint with the U.S. national team from 2004-2006, she was considered a quality defender who would give reliable and steady defense when called. She appeared in 13 games and had established her position on the team. However, she was not playing to her potential and was not playing with the ease that made her so successful at Arizona State. Lepeilbet will admit, “I was scared out there. I was scared to make mistakes, and I didn’t always perform at my best.”

Lepeilbet was a young, solid defender who looked to make a positive contribution to the 2008 Olympic squad heading to China. Lepeilbet loved the game but said that before her injury she “felt all of pressures, and it was tough out there.” Then in the summer of 2006,Lepeilbet suffered from an ACL injury that would not only postpone her Olympic dreams, but would also sideline her Team USA hopes for two and a half years.

Returning to professional soccer in late 2008, Lepeilbet began to work her way back onto the international scene. She played so well for the Boston Breakers that she was called up for a USA vs. Canada game during the summer of 2009.. After the game, Lepeilbet was officially given a roster spot, which marked her return to international soccer. She had not successfully completed her comeback, but the summer of 2009 signified that she was on her way back from her injury.

Determined not to make a quiet return to the professional and international soccer community, Lepeilbet burst back on the scene and reminded everyone why she had been considered such a promising talent back in 2004-2006. In 2009 and 2010, Lepeilbet won back-to-back Defender of the Year. She is one of the most versatile defenders on the U.S. team and can play both center defense and outside back.

Lepeilbet has deceptive speed, considering her forceful style. This combination of speed and aggression has turned Lepeilbet into one of the best one-on-one defenders in the world. It also allows her to be successful at any position on the defense.

Lepeilbet’s abilities allowed her to start all six games in the World Cup despite fighting through her minor knee surgery. She improved as the tournament went on and played at her best during the most important situations.

            Unlike some athletes who might claim that an injury was just an obstacle to achieving their surefire success, Lepeilbet views her torn ACL as the reason for her accomplishments. 

 “Honestly, without the injury, I don’t even know if I would be here today,” said Lepeilbet. “My injury changed my perspective on the sport. In coming back from my injury, I had a new love for the game.”

After being sidelined for such a long period of time, Lepeilbet’s reaction when she finally stepped onto the pitch again was, “I’m back — I’m back on the field again. This is so exciting; it’s so fun!”  Lepeilbet was not scared to make mistakes anymore. She was excited to be playing international soccer again and as a result she starting performing better.

An incredible love for the game of soccer and her time at Arizona State were key to helping Lepeilbet discover her devotion to soccer. She credits her coaches for “sharing their passion for the game,” which according to Lepeilbet, has carried into her “own career and own enjoyment for the game.” The impact of the Arizona State coaches was clear. “They really shared the beauty of the game with me,” she said.           

Yet, when talking to Lepeilbet, she does not sound like a player who has just won back-to-back WPS Defender of the Year awards. She sounds like a player who has rediscovered soccer and is working towards becoming an even better player.

 “It’s been absolutely amazing that in the past two and a half years, I have kept continuing to come into camp, and I finally made this World Cup team,” she said. “It’s been one of my goals throughout my soccer career, and I feel like I am so happy to have achieved it and been a part of this team. I never took one moment for granted.”

Never taking one moment for granted. That is the mantra of Lepeilbet’s career and is why she never gave up on her personal and professional goals, even when they seemed so far away in 2007.

This coming summer, the U.S. National team will arrive in London to kick off the 2012 Olympics. As the story goes, the Olympics will be the conclusion of Lepeilbet’s comeback from her ACL injury. She has already established herself as an elite soccer player, but finally being able partake in an experience she missed in 2008 will seem like sweet redemption.

Nevertheless, she has not diverged from the mindset that has made her so successful the past three years. When asked how it will feel to finally partake in the Olympic opening ceremonies, Lepeilbet replied, “Right now, my goal is to make that team. I have not made that team yet. I definitely need to improve myself to make that squad.”

At the same time, even though Lepeilbet is focusing on the present, there is still a level of excitement she feels when discussing the Olympics. Anticipating the Games, she said, “If that day comes, I almost can’t imagine what that day will feel like, but I am sure it will feel amazing.”

            Lepeilbet is now a consistent starter who makes an incredible impact on every game she plays in. After the 2011 World Cup it is safe to say that she has recovered 100 percent from her ACL injury. She is a true professional who has followed an arduous path - and along the way has transformed herself into an elite defensive soccer player.

            From the moment the ball is kicked off, it is just Lepeilbet and the pitch. The only thing that the injury has left is a scar. A motivator. Her scar is a remembrance of her love for the game and a reminder to never take a moment for granted.