Ladue Player On Team Headed To Woman’s World Cup Finals – FOX2now.com
ST. LOUIS, MO (KPLR)—
If you’ve ever wondered what a roller coaster ride looks like, watching the expressions on the faces of Grant and Adam Sauerbrunn Wednesday afternoon might have provided a hint. The two watched on pins and needles as their sister made her first start for the United States Women’s Soccer team in the World Cup semifinal.
Becky Sauerbrunn, a 26 year old product of Ladue High School, was given the start in the match as a replacement for another player who was suspended.
Her brothers gathered with family and friends at Barrister’s Pub in Clayton, and they were admittedly a bundle of nerves.
“It’s crazy,” Adam Sauerbrunn told us. “It’s a wonderful feeling but you feel nervous for her. But you know that she’s been playing this game for a long time and she’s comfortable out there.”
The game was anything but comfortable for a while. Goals are precious things in soccer, and the U.S. scored the only one in the first half. But in the second, France tied the game, and dominated play for a long period of time. You could see the tension on the faces in the crowd until, finally, the Americans broke through to take the lead back.
“Man, you’re gritting your teeth,” Grant Sauerbrunn said amid the excitement. “Talk about pins and needles!”
The U.S. scored again to ice things, punching their ticket to the final Sunday against Japan.
Grant couldn’t help but think of their parents sitting in the stadium in Germany.
“I’m sure my dad is whisping away the sweat, sigh of relief. I’m surprised he didn’t have a heart attack. With Becky playing?
“Everything leads up to this,” he continued. “This is huge for her. To play on the world stage and come out a winner 3-1. Huge. Absolutely huge.”
Adam describes seeing Becky on the pitch as a sort of cross between surreal and rewarding.
“You, know I can’t believe it’s my sister out there, one. But, (you’re) just happy for her. She’s worked really, really hard for this.”
Hard work that’s taken her to the highest level of the game she loves. Becky isn’t expected to start in Sunday’s final, but her brothers will be back at Barrister’s in Clayton, bundles of nerves, cheering on team U.S.A.