To most of the world, soccer is the best part of life. It is such a universal sport that brings so many people together. But I think its become more than that. To me, soccer has brought not only men and boys together, but women and girls.

It empowers us.

Nothing makes me happier in the world than seeing that little girl that lives across the street outside practicing her juggling or her moves, repping an Alex Morgan t-shirt, or seeing a girls' soccer team surround a TV watching the women’s national team play. Soccer has become the most incredible outlet for girls, and it's for that reason I am so proud to be part of the women’s soccer world. There is no bigger honor than putting on a jersey and being a part of something so much more significant than myself.

There is no better sense of family, of sisterhood, than there is on a soccer team. I don’t think I have ever felt more confident in my life than I do when I know I have my team at my back. Together, we are invincible. We have this sense of determination that drives us to unimaginable heights. And that just can’t be put into words.

After a game once, my teammate said, “I love soccer because I think it’s beautiful. I play soccer in part because I love being part of a team and I love competition, but also because it gives me an opportunity to prove myself. Each game to me is a chance to prove that I am a great athlete, and I never see myself as that until the game is over. And then in the next game, and in the one after that, I need to prove it all over again. In life, you have to prove yourself every single damn day because there are a lot of talented people out there in the world, just like there are a lot of great soccer players out there. I know I’m a good soccer player, but I always want to prove it to myself and to my team every day I step out on the field.”

I don’t think one phrase encapsulates women’s soccer better than this.

I play soccer because it empowers me. It is the one thing that I have worked so goddamn hard in for my whole life, and something I just can’t imagine giving up. It’s like one of those things you just can’t live without, ever. And to be honest, I don’t ever plan to.

I play soccer because of the feeling I get after a game, the feeling where you are so tired, so sweaty, so exhausted, that you feel like you will never be able to walk again. I play soccer for the screams you hear from the sidelines from your team, pushing you to give more, because they know you can. I play soccer for the last minute goals, for the diving headers, for the yellow cards, for the PKs. For the blood, the sweat, and the tears.

I play for my teammates who have gotten hurt. I play for the women who can’t play anymore. I play for Abby Wambach, for Kristine Lilly, for Mia Hamm. I play for my coach. I play for my team. I play for that little girl outside with the Alex Morgan t-shirt on. I play for that little girl inside me who refuses to quit. I play to make my team proud, to make me proud.

I play because being on a team means I am a part of something extraordinary.

That’s why I play.