As the US Women’s Field Hockey team prepares to take the field at the Paris Olympics, they’re doing so with a unique mindset: embracing their role as underdogs.
In a sport dominated by powerhouses like the Netherlands, Great Britain, and Australia, the US team is often overlooked and underestimated. But according to team captain, Kathleen Sharkey, that’s exactly what’s driving them to succeed.
“We’re used to being the underdogs,” Sharkey said in a recent interview. “But we’re not intimidated by it. We’re actually fueled by it.”
The team’s coach, Caroline Nelson-Nichols, echoed Sharkey’s sentiments, noting that the underdog mentality has brought the team closer together.
“It’s created a sense of camaraderie and unity among the players,” Nelson-Nichols said. “They’re all in this together, and they’re all motivated to prove people wrong.”
Despite their underdog status, the US team has shown flashes of brilliance in recent years. They won the 2019 Pan American Games and have consistently competed with top-ranked teams in international competitions.
However, the Olympics present a unique challenge, with the best teams from around the world converging on Paris to compete for gold.
“We know it won’t be easy,” Sharkey said. “But we’re ready for the challenge. We’re going to go out there and give it everything we’ve got.”
The US team’s first match is against reigning Olympic champions, Great Britain. It’s a daunting task, but one that the team is relishing.
“We’re excited to get out there and show the world what we’re capable of,” Nelson-Nichols said. “We may be underdogs, but we’re not going to back down from the challenge.”
As the US Women’s Field Hockey team takes the field in Paris, they’ll do so with a sense of pride, determination, and a healthy dose of underdog spirit.
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