Amy Andrews was the leading goalscorer for USLW Champion Tormenta FC. In the 2022 season, she won the League Golden Boot and Player of the Year. We sat down with Amy to learn more about her life, her perspective on the season, and what’s next for the talented attacker.

Pretty amazing year in USLW, now in the offseason, looking back, what was that run like for you?

It felt like a dream. I knew I was capable of achieving those things, especially with the team I was on, but to actually accomplish them was an unreal feeling. I wanted to show everyone what I could do and I am happy I was able to do so.

Growing up in Birmingham, England, what was your path to Tormenta?

Joining Tormenta was an accident. I wasn’t really aware of the league, or the club. I asked my head coach at Western to help me find a summer team and he accidentally gave me Jim’s email instead of a coach from Indiana. Looking back I believe it was fate because Jim became the best coach, Tormenta became the best club and the USL W became the best league of my life so far.

When did you start playing soccer and what position did you play early on?

I’ve played soccer for as long as I can remember. I started playing with boys until there were restrictions and then I joined the girls league. Luckily for me, England has plenty of women’s leagues so I had a lot of options. I have always been a winger/striker.

How would you compare the soccer cultures from England to America?

Soccer in England is huge, it’s definitely the biggest sport in the country. However, basketball and football are huge in America and soccer is always competing with those. In my opinion, I prefer England’s soccer culture as the atmosphere has always been insane when soccer is being played. Especially when our National team plays.

What was the biggest adjustment, coming to the states?

The biggest adjustment as a freshman was trying to keep up with the intensity. In England, I’m used to everything being a lot more technical. In America, all the players were extremely fit and physical which took a while to get used to.

You played college soccer for Western Illinois, ending your career as the leading goalscorer for them, favorite college memory?

My favorite college memory was when we played against Illinois state and the game was back and forth. Whenever we scored, they scored. It was 3-3 and it went to overtime and I scored the winning goal which was also my 4th goal of the game. It was unreal seeing how happy my teammates were and it felt amazing that I was able to celebrate both individual and team achievements.

USLW launched this year and Tormenta won the title with the best offense in the league. You were a big part of that, obviously. Did you feel pressure to perform?

Every player should always feel some type of pressure throughout their career. At the beginning it was overwhelming but I learnt that pressure can be good. I started to really enjoy the pressure and I believe it made me into a better player. I put pressure on myself before the season even started when I saw that I wasn’t on the players to watch list for the USL W and that helped me achieve all of my goals. I believe that pressure can create the greatest players of all time.

Second half goals was a specialty for Tormenta, why was that?

We started to realize that near the end of the season. I think sometimes it took the team a while to get settled, but also we always had that extra energy to get at the opposition when they were the most tired.

You've stated that you want to play professionally, what's the next step for you to make that happen?

I’m currently taking the right steps to get to where I want to be. I’ve also registered for the NWSL draft so all I can do is sit and wait for a coach to take a chance on me.

With the growth of the women's game in England, what's your preference for professional play?

It is really growing in England. However, I’ve played there for the majority of my life and I really enjoy playing in the states. I want to stay in the USA and continue to make a name for myself and be a part of growing women’s soccer in this country.

What are you doing this offseason? Anything fun?

I’ve been non-stop for a whole year so I’m trying to enjoy my time with my loved ones and catch up with a lot of my people in England.

Chips Ahoy: Original or Soft Baked?

Definitely original.

Favorite hype music before a match?

My hype music goes from Eminem to Running up that hill… I have a crazy variety but it works for me.