20 Questions with Yael Averbuch

Yael Averbuch may be the most decorated member of the US Women’s National Team you’ve never heard of. Her list of accomplishments and accolades is longer than most players with twice the experience:

           

2007-08 YAEL AVERBUCH HONORS[1]
Preseason Accolades:

1. M.A.C. Hermann Trophy Watch List


2. Soccer Buzz Elite 18


3. Soccer Buzz Preseason Player of the Year


4. Soccer America Preseason All-America


5. NSCAA Preseason All-America


 Academic & Leadership Accolades:

1. ESPN The Magazine First-Team Academic All-          District III Team


2. ESPN The Magazine Second-Team Academic All-America


3. ACC Women's Soccer Scholar Athlete of the Year


4. All-ACC Academic Team


5. ACC Academic Honor Roll


6. Fall 2007 & Spring 2008 Dean's List


7. Carolina Leadership Academy Three-Dimensional Leader


Regular Season Accolades


1.    Top Drawer Soccer Team of the Week--Week 9


Postseason Accolades


1. First-Team All-ACC


2. All-ACC Tournament


3. Soccer Buzz Player of the Year Finalist


4. Missouri Athletic Club Hermann Trophy Semifinalist


5. Umbro/Soccer News Net Player of the Year Award finalist


6. NSCAA First-Team All-America


7. First-Team Soccer America MVP


8. Soccer Buzz First-Team All-America


9. Soccer Buzz First-Team All-Southeast Region


10. NSCAA First-Team All-Southeast Region


11. Jewish Sports Review All-America


12. Top Drawer Soccer First-Team College Team of the Season

That list is longer than most people’s arm, and that’s only a single season. Her résumé consists of University of North Carolina, US U16 Team, US U17 Team, US U19 Team, US U20 Team, US U21 Team, US U23 Team, US Women’s National Team, Sky Blue FC, Western New York Flash, WFC Rossiyanka, and currently playing with Kopparbergs/Göteborg FC in Sweden. She’s donned the jersey of 12 elite clubs making each club that much better. 

Averbuch is a consummate professional. She is constantly honing her craft, and she challenges her fans to play along with her videos. She posts them on Twitter and YouTube. Her desire to play the game is shared with the globe, and girls from all over are trying to emulate Yael. She is a tremendous role model because of her work ethic for the game.

Ladies and gentlemen, I’m honored to have the privilege of interviewing US Women’s National Team and Göteborg midfielder, Yael Averbuch:

1. I was going to start off with a probing question about football, but the first question that pops into my head is, "what exactly is a tar heel?" Inquiring minds want to know.

“Good question! I’m actually not quite sure but I think I’ve heard that the North Carolina nickname dates back to the days of the Civil War.”

2. You scored the fastest goal in US soccer history as a Tar Heel. I checked the records, your 4 second goal tops NCAA men's and women's soccer, MLS, NWSL, WPS, all of them. How did the idea to take a shot from the kickoff come about? Do you think your record will ever be broken?

“Actually, in the previous game my coach had been yelling at me before the kickoff, ‘Shoot! Shoot!’ I thought he meant to take a lot of shots during the game so I nodded and just started the play. After the game he explained that the goalkeeper was way off her line and I should look in the future to try to shoot from the kickoff if it’s possible. In the game against Yale, I saw the goalkeeper was off her line so I figured, ‘why not give it a try.’ I honestly never thought it would actually go in! It’s definitely possible for the record to be broken...but someone will have to either run faster in his or her approach to the ball or drive it harder so it goes in before mine did!”

3. UNC has retired your jersey number; what's it like to have such an honor at such a young age?

“…It was an incredibly special moment. The actual ceremony took place before the UNC-Duke basketball game and my family got to be there. I have the framed jersey hanging in my room at home and feel so proud and honored to have my name among some of the all-time greats I have always admired so much.”

Averbuch's Jersey Retirement Ceremony

4. You've won numerous awards for your soccer accomplishments. Which one means the most to you?

“That’s a tough question, because every time I’ve been honored I feel incredibly fortunate for the opportunities I’ve been given. Having my UNC jersey retired was probably my most special recognition. It had been my dream since I was 9 years old to go to UNC, but never could I have imagined that my name could be part of the program’s unbelievable legacy.”

5. You are constantly honing your craft; your YouTube video challenges have girls all over the globe trying to emulate your moves. How important are your video responses to you? (For the record, I've tried a few of your challenges, and I can't do any of them!)

“I absolutely love filming the challenges! Those are the things I do on my own all the time and I would have LOVED to have challenges to try as a young player. I watch every single video that is sent my way and am always impressed by the effort and skill of the players who try out what I’ve done. Also, a big secret...none of my videos were done on the first take! It takes me a while to perfect the skills, too.” :)

6. How important is it to you to be identified as a Jewish Athlete?

“The more I play and travel around the world, the more I appreciate my identity as a Jewish athlete. I don’t meet many other Jewish soccer players, so any time I do, it is very special to me. Actually, my teammate at my current club (Kopparbergs/Goteborg FC), Camille Levin, is also Jewish and we have made many friends here in the Jewish community.”

7. Your favorite TV show is?

“Law and Order”

8. There's only one flavor of ice cream, it is: “mint chocolate chip.”

9. The 2015 World Cup is rapidly approaching. Most of the fields in Canada are turf fields instead of natural grass. How does turf change the game, and do you feel like many other American team members that the fields should be grass?

“I play on turf all the time. But I think that a major international tournament should always be played on grass. Grass is a lot more forgiving on the body and is the traditional surface on which the game is played. I much prefer grass and was very disappointed to hear that the tournament will be on turf.”

10. Who is the biggest prankster on the US Women's Squad?

“It was Heather Mitts, but now that she’s retired I’d probably say Pinoe.”

11. Some of the greatest reporters of our time have worked for the New York Times. What's it like to be a New York Times reporter/blogger?  

"I really enjoy writing and sharing my thoughts and experiences. The New York Times blog has given me a wonderful platform from which to express myself. It’s funny because I honestly feel that I learn just as much about myself every time I write as my readers do. Blogging has been very insightful to me and helps me to organize my thoughts and record a lot of wonderful memories. The fact that people can share in and relate to my writing is just a bonus!"

12. Are you a dog or cat person?

“Dog for sure!”

13. Playing for Göteborg in Sweden has to have you longing for some home cooking. What is the food you miss the most from home that you can't find in Sweden?

“Chipotle! They don’t really have Mexican food here and definitely nothing quick and easy like a burrito to go.”

14. After reading your blogs in the Times, it seems like you are way too hard on yourself as a professional footballer. Do you think your self-criticism is a help or a hinder to your game?

“I try to think that I maintain a decent balance of being critical of myself and also forgiving and optimistic about my career. But I definitely think that my self-criticism is a hugely beneficial part of my thought processes. Over the years I’ve tried to perfect the balance of searching for ways in which I can become better as well as fostering what makes me special and unique. A lot of what drives me and inspires me, though, is the idea that I can always be better and always want to strive to improve myself on and off the field.”

15. Long flights, long practices, grueling games: how do you unwind?

“I love to sit at a coffee shop and just talk and laugh with friends.”

16. What's on your iPod right now?

“I listen to a combination of everything, from Lil Wayne to Fall Out Boy to P!NK to Rascal Flatts to Matchbox 20s and especially some cheesy 90s techno.”

17. You're quite active on Twitter; you even do give always of signed boots through Twitter. How did the idea of giving away your cleats come up?

“Once I’ve worn through a pair of cleats I used to just leave them in a hotel somewhere or throw them out. Then I realized that someone might really appreciate my garbage. It’s really cool to see how happy fans get to receive something that is no longer useful to me. I plan to give away all my worn out cleats from now on!”

18. Speaking of cleats, Nike, Adidas, Puma? What do you kick your balls with?

“NIKE! Always!”

19. You've been on championship teams with Sky Blue FC, Western New York, U23 Nordic Cup. Does one title mean more than another to you?

“Winning a championship is always a special accomplishment and all of them have been wonderful for different reasons. The 2009 WPS Championship with Sky Blue FC has to be my favorite, though. Our team had been through so much that season, including four different coaches, and calling us underdogs was an understatement! We were the last team to get into the playoffs and ended up beating the three teams we didn’t beat all season to win the championship. You can’t even make up a story as cool as our road to victory!”

20. Wow, number 20 came up quickly! If you could meet one person, living or dead, and pick their brain, who would it be, and why?

“Iniesta. He is one of my favorite players and from everything I’ve heard about him, I respect him a lot as a person. I’d love to hear how he approaches his profession and his thoughts on what makes him special. He is fascinating to me and so humble!”

I had a lot more questions for Averbuch, but this segment is titled 20 Questions not 20+ questions. It was a pleasure to communicate with such a talented individual. I look forward to continuing this interview in the future.

Keep checking back with Following Football for more 20 Questions segments every Thursday. Upcoming interviews include Seattle Reign and Canadian National Team defender Kaylyn Kyle, Chicago Red Stars Taryn Hemmings, Adriana Leon, and Julianne Sitch. Also interviews with a few friends that are involved in the game: Aldo Zambrana and Bobby Bagley.

[all sic as needed]

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[1] Taken from UNC Player Website: http://www.goheels.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=3350&ATCLID=205672346

The Referee Chronicles: When Not Enough Becomes Too Much

“C’mon, ref! Call it both ways!”

“OH, call that one! What about the three before on them?!”

“Hey ref! Hey ref!”

“You’re a hometown ref!”

“Go buy some glasses!”

Tell me when you’ve heard too much.

“Oh come on!”

“Are you blind?!”

“No way!”

“Ref, you suck!”

“C’mon, that’s a handball!”

Have you heard too much yet?

“Hey ref, go [fornicate] yourself!”

“Ref, go eat a bag of [expletives]!”

Now have you heard too much?

When did it become too much? Did “hometown ref” get you? Are you blind? You suck? If they did, maybe you need to rethink about what warrants too much abuse because not enough has become too much.

Referees upset 50% of the people every time they blow the whistle. And just about every time a referee blows the whistle, we hear moans or groans. The sources of these gripes are players, coaches, and parents. Some amount of disagreement has to be expected and even accepted. One of the jobs of the referee is to discern disappointment from dissent.

The player that caused the foul is usually the first to gripe, or at least the first to be heard because the referee is probably closer to the player than the coaches or parents. The player gripe usually is a “come on” or “no way.” This is frustration, not dissent. Pleading to avoid a yellow card typically isn’t dissent either, “I didn’t mean it, ref.” As long as the frustration comes from a distance and isn’t threatening, the referee needs to remember that soccer is an emotional game.

Coaches can be pretty verbal, too. But again, nine times out of ten it’s frustration or disappointment, not dissent. Exasperated gasps, hands thrown in the air, or a hat thrown to the ground shouldn’t get your lanyard in a bunch.

Parents, well, they’re a special breed, and we probably need to give more leeway to parents than to any other participant in the game. Removing a parent from the pitch for complaining about a call is a lot of paperwork. Not only is the paperwork a pain, the referee has probably lost more control by dismissing the parent than letting the negativity roll of their back.

When did we cross the line? When were you triggered? In all honesty, it takes a lot to get my feathers rustled. In the examples I gave, I didn’t get triggered until the direct use of foul language towards the ref because unless Dick’s is a BBQ joint, being told to go eat a bag of them is pretty abusive. It’s definitely time to step in at that point; however, in the examples, not much else should warrant stopping the flow of the game to tell the coach or player to simmer down.

To me, it seems that collectively we as referees have gotten relatively thin-skinned. Like I stated earlier, soccer is an extremely passionate game. Passion is an important part of the game. It can determine the ebb and flow of the match. Passion can lead to bad tackles or dynamic saves. There has to be an outlet for frustrations within the match, especially when we blow the whistle.

Until the frustrations become disrespectful, the frustrations have a place on the pitch; easily offended referees do not. Our job is to control the match and enforce the laws of the game. To do what’s expected of us we need to control our emotions when people disagree with us. It doesn’t do the game, the players, or the coaches any good to get into it every time someone gripes.

To quote my old Company Commander from boot camp, “toughen up, buttercup.”

The Referee Chronicle: It's in the Bag

The referee bag is the most crucial piece of equipment in the referee’s arsenal. It literally is the toolbox that the referee’s tools are kept safe. There are many types of bags available to the referee. It is up to each individual referee to evaluate and purchase the best bag and supplies for his or her needs.

My old bag was a simple, standard type gym bag emblazoned with the United States Soccer Referee Program logo. It served me for a season and half before it needed to be retired. I was straining it beyond its capacity, and I’m honestly surprised it lasted as long as it did. Like all things, you get what you pay for, and it was fairly cheap. This Christmas, Santa Claus brought a new bag to replace the old one. Actually, Santa brought me three bags. I chose the new compartmentalized bag from Official Sports. This bag is proudly displays the USSF Soccer Referee logo as well. 

 I have lived most of my adult life by the US Coast Guard motto: Semper Paratus. That’s Latin for, “Always Prepared.” The referee needs to always be prepared. The soccer pitch is not a place to be caught short of any of the necessities. Looking at the front of the bag, I’ll go compartment to compartment and list the equipment I carry to each field.

The small, outside left pocket contains: two watches, a hand pump, Laws of the Game booklet, and two black trash bags. I always wear two watches for the games I referee. The one worn on the left wrist is the primary timekeeper; the watch on the right wrist is the backup. Both watches keep the running game time just in case one of the watches fails. During one game, the battery on my backup watch died. The field marshal laughed when I mentioned it to him and asked why I wore a backup. I honestly thought the situation answered his question, but I simply replied, “Because it’s better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it.” Every referee must carry a copy of the laws of the game. Failing to do so is, in my opinion, unbelievably irresponsible. The black trash bags are used to protect the bag and its contents from the elements. In Miami, the summer sun shower can pop anytime. It’s good practice to always wrap the bag in plastic. 

The larger left sided pocket contains a pair of cleats and a first aid bag. I don’t wear cleats as my primary referee shoe; however, in the rain, the quick stops and starts needed for running a line can be treacherous. They also serve as back up shoes should the primary shoes suffer catastrophic failure, Semper Paratus. The first aid bag has athletic tape, ibuprofen, Icy-Hot ointment/spray, and an Epi-Pen. 

The two small front pockets contain two small plastic bags. The first contains several different types and styles of whistles. I primarily use a Fox40 Sharx whistle. It’s probably overkill on the smaller fields, but it is a distinct and very loud whistle. It is a black whistle with a pink lanyard. The pink lanyard makes it easy to spot on the pitch if I happen to drop it. I carry a regular Fox40 whistle in my pocket just in case I drop the primary whistle. I do carry two “old school” whistles with the cork pea. Sometimes, referees need to change whistles because a neighboring field’s referee has the same whistle.  The second small bag contains referee patches, two sets of yellow and red cards, pencils, scorecards, and a coin. 

The large right side pocket contains a pair of turf shoes. These are my primary refereeing shoes. Whether on grass or artificial turf, these shoes provide the right amount of grip for running a line or centering a soccer game in dry conditions. [Insert pic] The small, outer right pocket contains two pairs of referee socks. Wearing wet socks is one of the most awful feelings on the planet. Sometimes, you just have to change socks between games or halves.

This brings me to the main, large pocket; inside are all of the uniforms needed to officiate the game. All the colors of the rainbow are represented: two red, two black, two yellow, two blue, one green USSF Referee program shirts. With the exception of the green shirt, I have a long sleeve and short sleeve of each of them. Also inside the main pocket, there are league specific shirts: Club Sport Official shirt, Regla XVIII purple shirt, and a yellow Adidas shirt. There’s a USSF hat, an extra pair of referee shorts, and regular t-shirt for after the game.

Too large to fit into the bag are two sets of assistant referee flags. They rest inside the handles of the bag near the top pocket. A small cell phone holder is clipped to the shoulder strap. The little pocket inside the cell phone holder is my USSF Referee identification and my Florida Youth Soccer background clearance.

In total, the bag and its contents are around $1,000.00. The bag is more than just a carrying tool for all the equipment the referees need; it’s a bank vault that carries a large investment for each referee.