Tiffeny Milbrett
Tiffeny Milbrett
Tiffeny Carleen Milbrettis an American retired professional soccer forward who was a longtime member of the United States women's national soccer team. A native of Oregon, she starred at the University of Portland where she scored a then school record 103 goals during her career. She won an Olympic gold medal in 1996 in Atlanta and a silver medal at the 2000 Olympics in Sydney. A player who enjoys signing autographs for her fans, she is in the top five...
NationalityAmerican
ProfessionSoccer Player
Date of Birth23 October 1972
CityPortland, OR
CountryUnited States of America
I've known since I went to the national team when I was very young that I was a different bird.
I think it's sad to me that I had to make a decision to not play the game that I feel like I'm best at and that I love. But if it was just about the game itself, I'd be there in a heartbeat. But that's not how the real world works.
Soccer's not a game that you can restrict players, especially creative players and players who have proven themselves at that level.
To be the key player in creating and scoring goals, that's what I take pride in, and the thing I know how to do best.
Ive known since I went to the national team when I was very young that I was a different bird.
Its not like you make a decision and everything inside you is 100 percent happy.
I couldnt change who I am; I couldnt change the kind of player I am.
Coaches give you too much information. Ive been allowed to develop that intuitive ability in my career and lifetime.
The game of soccer has been able to give me what I wanted out of life. I just remember being a total Tomboy and athlete as a girl, but never having a lack of opportunity.
Everybody has down times and stuff that they have to work through. I worked through that stuff because I've always wanted to be playing soccer.
When it's game situation, when it's game day, game time, when it's World Cup, when it's these tournaments that happen once every so often, I live for that, I live for that challenge.
You can't ask every player to do the same thing. That's why we have amazing midfielders, defenders, forwards and keepers. You can't ask them to be of the same mold.
Do you have the heart to push yourself? If you don't, find a way to get it because talent will only get you so far. You've got to be hungry. You've got to have heart. That's just reality.
If you are passionate about something, that will enable you to be the best you can be.