Close X
Saturday, September 21, 2024
ADVT 
Sports

Kaylyn Kyle Credits Coach For Helping Her Rediscover Love For Soccer

The Canadian Press, 21 Jun, 2015 01:11 PM
    VANCOUVER — Like many of her teammates, Kaylyn Kyle's love affair with soccer took a beating at the 2011 World Cup.
     
    Under Carolina Morace, Canada finished dead last. Players wondered whether the sacrifice was worth it. Then the hiring of John Herdman as coach after the tournament changed everything.
     
    "I remember his first speech to us and it hit somewhere deep in my heart. I was like 'I love this, why would I give it up for one bad year?'" Kyle said.
     
    "For me it was the best decision I've ever made. To be able to be given a second opportunity with one passion that I'm absolutely in love with is an amazing experience."
     
    Going into Sunday's round-of-16 match against the 19th-ranked Swiss at B.C. Place Stadium, the 26-year-old midfielder from Saskatoon was on the verge of her milestone 100th cap for Canada.
     
    The other members of the select 100-plus cap club on the Canadian roster are Karina LeBlanc, Diana Matheson, Erin McLeod, Sophie Schmidt, captain Christine Sinclair, Melissa Tancredi and Rhian Wilkinson.
     
    On a team full of characters, Kyle burns brightly. And she speaks warmly about the people around her.
     
    "This team is family," she said. "It's something that you can't force. I think we've built trust in one another.
     
    "Obviously we've gone through ups and downs. There's days where we're like 'I want to punch you' but it's just that family mentality. We're kind of like boys that way. We say what's on our mind. We love openly. We wear our heart on our sleeves. And I think that's way we have an advantage over teams.
     
    "Look at the Olympic Games, we came in as underdogs, people didn't even rate us. And we were this close to being in the gold medal game."
     
    Kyle, who was 19 when she made her debut for Canada in January 2008, played in a career-high 62 consecutive Canada matches in 2011 to 2014.
     
    At this World Cup, Herdman used Kyle as an impact substitute against China and New Zealand before starting her against the Netherlands. 
     
    Outside of soccer, Kyle has expanded her business interests. She has worked with headphone manufacturer Beats by Dre, Under Armour and Golazo, an organic drink company based in Seattle.
     
    Beats by Dre is doing a personalized headphone for the team.
     
    "It's pretty cool," she said. "We're pretty lucky. And I'm pretty lucky."
     
    On a team full of dancers, Kyle likes to shake a leg. Her dance moves have been showcased on social media with that of her teammates.
     
    A fashionista, Kyle has a keen eye when it comes to clothes. Asked who the best dresser is on the team, she paused. "I'd say me," she said with a giggle. "I like how I dress."
     
    Kyle's father Doug played hockey, scoring 55 goals and adding 58 assists for a 1983-84 Saskatoon Blades team that included Wendel Clark and Joey Kocur. He signed with the Edmonton Oilers but, unable to crack a champion roster, he spent three seasons in the International Hockey League.
     
    Eventually with two small kids and facing a heavy travel schedule, her father retired.
     
    The hockey gene did not make its way to Kaylyn. "I want to lie and say I was really good but I suck at skating."

    MORE Sports ARTICLES

    2014 World Cup most polluted in history

    2014 World Cup most polluted in history
    FIFA statistics have showed that the 2014 World Cup in Brazil was the most polluted in history with the emission of 2.72 million tonnes of carbon dioxide.

    2014 World Cup most polluted in history

    Romero's wife ready to loan him to Rihanna if Argentina win World Cup

    Romero's wife ready to loan him to Rihanna if Argentina win World Cup
    Model Eliana Guercio, wife of Argentine goalkeeper Sergio Romero, said that she is ready to loan her husband for one week to American pop star Rihanna if Argentina lift the World Cup trophy Sunday.

    Romero's wife ready to loan him to Rihanna if Argentina win World Cup

    Neymar's agent calls Scolari 'old jerk'

    Neymar's agent calls Scolari 'old jerk'
    Neymar’s agent Wagner Ribeiro described Brazil’s coach Luiz Felipe Scolari as an “old jerk” after the Selecao lost 1-7 at the hands of Germany in the World Cup semi-final Tuesday.

    Neymar's agent calls Scolari 'old jerk'

    Argentina overcome Netherlands in penalties, to face Germany in World Cup final

    Argentina overcome Netherlands in penalties, to face Germany in World Cup final
    Argentina set up a FIFA World Cup final clash against Germany after overcoming the Netherlands 4-2 in a penalty shootout. Both teams failed to score at the end of regular and extra time at the Arena Corinthians here Wednesday.

    Argentina overcome Netherlands in penalties, to face Germany in World Cup final

    Argentina-Netherlands World Cup Semifinal goes into extra time

    Argentina-Netherlands World Cup Semifinal goes into extra time
    The FIFA World Cup semifinal match between Argentina and the Netherlands went into extra time after both teams were tied 0-0 at the end of regular time at the Arena Corinthians here Wednesday.

    Argentina-Netherlands World Cup Semifinal goes into extra time

    FIFA World Cup Semifinal: Germany hands humiliating 7-1 defeat to Brazil

    FIFA World Cup Semifinal: Germany hands humiliating 7-1 defeat to Brazil
    A ruthless Germany Tuesday dumped hosts Brazil out of the FIFA World Cup in a humiliating fashion, beating them 7-1 at the Minerao Stadium to march in the finals.

    FIFA World Cup Semifinal: Germany hands humiliating 7-1 defeat to Brazil