You might know Becky Sauerbrunn by her play on the field. Her stout defending in two Women’s World Cup championships (2015 and 2019). Her NWSL Defender of the Year performances. Her calm presence under pressure in the face of the best attackers in the world. Her analytical evaluation of the field and critical decision making for impressive timing.

The same might be said of her off the field as well. Past captain, and current leader whether she has an armband or not, of a team filled with 22 stars with vivacious personalities she has won their respect. When she opens her mouth we all listen. She has been unwavering through pay equality battles and the Yates report. She has answered media questions with unwavering professionalism and dignity. She embodies the characteristics needed to be a team leader.

For anyone who doesn’t know Becky (get out from under your rock) she has been the rock of the USWNT back line in central defense through the last two World Cups. She recently retired from playing club for Portland Thorns FC in NWSL. She was nominated for Defender of the Year in 2022 and won the award three years in a row for FC Kansas City (2013, 14, 15). She has 219 caps and 7 assists for the USWNT. The long running joke for USWNT followers is we just want Becky to score. She is an unselfish team player and passes the ball to teammates. Becky is a three-time Olympic athlete with one gold and one bronze.

The Washington Post shares from 2021, regarding Becky receiving the USWNT captaincy, “Andonovski’s decision was not unexpected — to anyone other than Sauerbrunn.” Midfielder Sam Mewis calls her “my moral compass.” Defender Casey Krueger says “she sets the standard.” Defender Tierna Davidson calls her a “fantastic role model.” She is someone to help represent a country on the biggest stage with the toughest questions.

Communication is a key tenet of being a captain. The role acts as a go-between from players to coaches and vice-versa. Communicating the right motivation before a game or words of encouragement to a disheartened player are crucial to unifying the diverse personalities on a soccer team. Coach Vlatko Andonovski was quoted in the Washington Post article by Steve Goff, “She has been incredible in communication between players and coaches, and she has always been there for the players. Quite frankly, she has been there for the coaches as well.”

Communicating through difficult conversations is an important skill that many in and out of soccer leadership lack. There will be a challenge(s) in the season, players are passionate and committed, players with an elite mentality won’t always see eye to eye. Guiding the conversations to a point where people can communicate differing perspectives and having a safe space to express a point of view make the team members feel like a valued part of a whole. Sauerbrunn navigated the team as captain after COVID and through social justice issues like the murder of George Floyd. Her teammates share how as a leader she didn’t just slide it under the rug and hope politics and societal issues could stay out of sports. In the same Washington Post article Kasey Krueger is quoted, “Certainly, with these difficult conversations and difficult topics, [her leadership] has continued. She has stepped up big time, starting these conversations and leading the way.” Leading isn’t about the best stats on the field, but about creating a community of belonging.

To be captain you represent your team. You represent young athletes, the future of soccer. You represent a nation. Social media expresses differing views about athletes and their expression in politics. The captain is the representation of your country, on and off the field, on social media and in press conferences. As a democratic free country, we may be under higher scrutiny when engaging with other countries around the world through sport. In the case with the USMNT Iran press conference, journalists questioned Tyler Adams on geo-political topics. Athletes are put into awkward situations, forced into responding. The captain should be the tactful leader able to knowledgeably navigate topics beyond the tournament. We see Becky repeatedly give thoughtful responses in these situations.

Leading up to a sold-out game at Wembley stadium (80,000+) against the Lionesses, in what should have been a historic moment in women’s soccer, she was the face of the team answering questions regarding the Yates report. “The players are not doing well…We are horrified and heartbroken and frustrated and exhausted and really, really angry…We are angry that it took a third-party investigation. We are angry that it took an article in the Athletic and the Washington Post and numerous others. We’re angry that it took over 200 people sharing their trauma to get to this point, right now.” It was a direct, honest answer that maintained the dignity and respect of the players, not just on the USWNT, but current and former players in NWSL and USWNT. It did not lash out in an emotional moment in reaction to the question, but bravely addressed the concerns head on.

In the workplace leaders have to adapt to what each of their team members needs. Leading a group towards a goal means tapping in to the motivation of each person, balancing personalities, communicating what each person needs when they need it, and supporting professional development. Many books are dedicated to the different leadership styles and how to motivate a team. Becky spoke in an interview with Lauren Green on the various roles a leader must take on, “Many people lead in different ways and sometimes the team needs something and the next week the team needs something completely different. It’s being able to get out of your comfort zone. One day maybe you need to hold people accountable and really get on them. The next day, you need to pull someone aside and just see how they’re doing. On game day, you need to be the organizer, but then the next game day you need to be the rah-rah energy person. It’s being able to fill a lot of different roles. It’s also figuring out what’s needed at what time, which is also difficult.”

Adapting to these variations is a skill to learn. It takes time, energy, and a heart that sees others. In a team of competitors this will look different. A heart that sees others does not imply kindness, gentleness, or friendship, often those things can bring a team to ruin just as much as unify it. Holding an individual accountable can come with a firm word, but that is what that person needed then. Becky is a perfect example of a quirky and tough competitor, but mindful of those around her.

No one likes the boss who sits by ordering people around. The most effective bosses can help pick up and problem solve. They share the load with you. If a coach wants a team to be hardworking look at the captain, what is their leadership style on the team? Are they bossing others around? Out there early and staying late to work on a skill? Or just putting in the minimum and then taking off? In the same Green interview Becky states, “My leadership style is more lead by example. Show up every single day, be consistent, work hard, demand the people around you to work hard if they’re not. I’m not usually a huge vocal leader, but that’s something that I’ve been working on for the last four years.” A captain should be an individual that others can mirror, especially when they aren’t sure of next steps.

Coaches can help their captains learn about leadership style and coach them through situations. Players are learning through each game and practice. Help the captain understand their role and the responsibility of it. If a leader knows their personality and style then one can learn from others who have strengths in areas where they are weak. Being a leader isn’t about being perfect or the most outgoing, but leading through challenges. Being a captain does not mean a player needs to be the cheerleader, but if that’s not their personality who can be the high energy motivator before a game in their stead.

Off the field she leads by being open about who she is, not conforming to typical ideas of athletes. She is a role model for the next generation. She is in a mixed-race relationship. She owns cats while the rest of the team is obsessed with dogs (aka Rose Lavelle). She is a voracious reader, particularly intense fantasy. Her favorite books are His Dark Materials, The Gentlemen Bastards, and The Kingkiller Chronicles. I personally, picked up books by author Sarah J Maas because she referenced them in her interviews.

Becky passed the mantle on to a new crop of players, but she will always be my captain. She’s the calm voice I look to when it seems like the soccer world is about to implode, think Paul Riley and Yates report. Her leadership of unwavering poise built on observation and growth supersedes the captain armband. Her brand of authenticity in a filtered world feels fresh and relatable. I look forward to her brining that same inclusive, introverted, thoughtful personality to her next career stage.

- Danielle Gawronski