Holiday, Leroux, Press and Rampone React to Women's World Cup Draw

2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup Draw: Players’ Reactions and Comments:

U.S. Women’s National Team midfielder LAUREN HOLIDAY
Overall thoughts on Women’s World Cup Draw:
“It’s exciting. It feels real now that we have the draw. It’s a challenging group but we’re up for it and we’re all so excited. You always prepare for hard games at the World Cup and if we get out of this group we’ll be prepared for the rest of the tournament.” 

Her initial reaction to being in Group D with Australia, Sweden and Nigeria:

“I think we were all laughing in a good way. The draw was finally over and there was just excitement to hear Sweden’s name. We’re going to play some really hard teams but we’re confident we’re good enough to get out of the group. We were all just really excited.” 

On drawing Sweden and facing former U.S. WNT head coach Pia Sundhage:
“Sweden’s a great team and Pia knows us pretty well, but at this point I think we’re a different team and we’ve grown a lot. It’s a challenge that will be fun for us. It’s going to be a really good game.” 

On the three opponents in Group D:
“I think our group has some of the top teams. Nigeria brings it in every world championship. They’re so athletic and they keep getting better and better. They’ll be tough to play against. Australia also gets better in every world tournament they play in and they’ve really tried to come together and play some great soccer.” 

U.S. Women’s National Team forward SYDNEY LEROUX
On how the team is feeling now after knowing where they are:
“We’re happy to know where our fate lies. Now that the teams are drawn and we know where we’re going to be playing and we who our opponents are, we’re definitely happy about that. You have to beat the best to be the best and we’re willing to do that.”

On playing Sweden in a World Cup:
“It’s a different beat when it comes to a World Cup. Everyone plays their best game, so it will be a tough one. They’re a strong team physically, so we’ve got some stuff to work on, but we’re definitely excited and we’ll be ready.” 

On the team’s mentality now after the draw is done:
“It is a ‘bring it on’ attitude, 100 percent. Everyone says that we got the hardest group drawn and it probably is, but for us that’s just another obstacle, and we love pressure. We’re very excited and we’re ready to play.” 

U.S. Women’s National Team forward CHRISTEN PRESS
On how the team was feeling before the draw began:
“I think the overwhelming feeling is excitement. The World Cup has been at the forefront of our minds for a while now and it’s always the end goal and the motivation for the team, but it’s still so far away. And just coming together and all going through all the emotion during the draw just made the whole event more real and seemed a lot closer to today.”

On the team’s reaction after the draw was complete and the opponents revealed:
“There was some laughter, excitement and a little bit of tension that we got three really tough and different teams. I have a feeling that’s a good thing. We have to play and beat the best competition to win the World Cup and we have a group that can prepare us for a really intense playoff and knockout play as well. I think it’s a huge advantage to meet great competition at the beginning and not being surprised when you get to the quarterfinals or something like that. I think our team really quickly embraced it. Our journey was never going to be easy one and I don’t think anyone has that hope or expectation. It’s a challenge but we’re a team that accepts the challenge.” 

On the team’s mindset:
“It’s absolutely ‘bring it on.’ There’s so much energy and motivation to prepare. We know what we have, what lies ahead, and we have a lot of work to do between now and June 8, but were going to do it and I think that the draw and the excitement before this camp have given us a little bit of a boost because we know we’re going to get the work done and it starts today.” 

On drawing Australia and Sweden, two countries with ties and that are very familiar with the USA:
“It made me smile when we drew both of them because of course there are quite a few Australia players in the NWSL, so we have a good familiarity with them. We also played them recently. They’re a good team and play a good brand of soccer and they’re different form both Nigeria and Sweden. Then of course for me personally and several of the girls, we played in Sweden so we know that team so well on and off the field; the connection is there with Pia. Swedish football kind of has a special place in my heart so it’s an exciting and kind of funny matchup for us to have because it’s the team I know best. There’s always an extra motivation and incentive when you’re playing against some of your best friends.” 

On how to be ready to face Nigeria, which the USA is not as familiar with:
“I think just with preparation, watching video seeing how they match with competition and trying to predict their tactics. We have a lot more we have to do and focus on ourselves to make sure we’re the best team we can be. We’ll be prepared for whatever they have to throw at us.” 

U. S. Women’s National Team defender CHRISTIE RAMPONE
Overall thoughts following the completion of the 2015 WWC Draw:
“We’re glad it’s done and we know who we’re playing. We’re pretty excited. You have to play the best to win a World Cup and we’re in a tough group. I think being able to play good soccer, get out of the group and build momentum into the next round will be good for us.”

On drawing Sweden:
“We know Sweden is a big challenge for us; they’ve proven that in the past. They’re a great squad and with Pia being their leader and their coach, so we know them very well. We’ll need to stay focused and be ready physically and mentally to play against them.” 

On Group D opponents:
“We have played Australia a few times and a lot of their players are in the NWSL. Nigeria’s done well. We haven’t seen them as much, but we’ll need to be ready. All three are difficult teams with different challenges. We’ll need to be prepared and focus on ourselves to have the right game plan for each opponent.” 

On what the team was saying and thinking during the draw:
“There was an overall sense of us calling it before it even started. We were all saying we were going to draw Sweden. It’s exciting because you want to play teams that challenge you. In a World Cup it means even more. We’re excited because now the wait is over and the preparation starts.”