The thing I can say about Japan is they were progressive for a country that is very male dominant.

And I remember how proud I was to put on my training jersey and go out on the field. Making it back to that environment was for me my greatest moment, because somebody had told me I couldn't do it and I never gave up on myself, the game and my teammates.

You're just trying to be yourself, and for me, playing soccer is being myself. One day, you're one person on a team. The next thing people are asking your opinion about things you're not an expert on. Because they recognize you, they think you must know something about something - which isn't necessarily the case.

And to learn, you have to be willing to push yourself.

I'm loving motherhood. It's way harder than soccer, but I love a challenge.

Women can be incredible role models for their kids, neighbors and communities just by making good choices in terms of what they're eating and whether they're exercising.

And then ultimately what I tell the kids is: coaches can give you information, they can give you guidelines, and they can put you in a position. But the only person who can truly make you better is you.