Becky Sauerbrunn may be one of the best players to ever put on the U.S. women’s national team uniform.
And as Just Women’s Sports continues its series of the most essential USWNT players ahead of the 2023 World Cup, Sauerbrunn is near the top of the list.
While many have contributed in points and assists, Sauerbrunn has made an indelible impact despite never having scored in a game for the USWNT. Her leadership and play on defense don’t go unnoticed, and neither does her activism off of it.
“Sometimes I look to Becky like my moral compass,” Sam Mewis said in 2020. “Like, whatever she is doing is what I know is right, so I should probably do the same thing.”
Fellow defender Casey Krueger has said that Sauerbrunn “sets the standard,” while Tierna Davidson called her a “fantastic role model.”
A two-time World Cup winner and Olympic gold medalist, Sauerbrunn is also a four-time NWSL Defender of the Year and reached 200 caps for the USWNT last year. She is now up to 212 appearances and counting.
When naming Sauerbrunn USWNT captain for the second time in her career in 2021, head coach Vlatko Andonovski cited her communication skills as one of the many reasons for appointing her as the team’s leader.
“She was a…
