Interview with Local Soccer Phenom, Angela Aguero

Did you know that one of our very own patients at SSP classified for the national women’s soccer team?  She is an inspiration to all, teaching us that anything can be accomplished if you set your mind and heart to it, and give it everything you’ve got. Meet Angela Aguero, our SSP FIT Ambassador and soccer prodigy!!!

SSP:  You are quite the soccer phenom!  How did you initially become interested in the sport?

Thank you! When I was about 4 or 5 years old, my parents decided it was time to put me in some level of physical activity to keep me active and they chose soccer because all you needed was a ball and a pair of soccer cleats. From the moment I started playing I fell in love with it. I remember always running after the ball and being really eager to score a goal. In 2010 when the men's World Cup in South Africa began I watched almost every game and that's when my love for the game was getting really serious.

SSP: Who would you say is your biggest inspiration - sports icon or other?

My biggest inspiration is 100% Cristiano Ronaldo and Marta. Both these soccer players started from the bottom with a dream of becoming a pro footballer and they dedicated their entire lives to give them the chance to be seen professionally. You always hear of other players coming to training an hour early to impress the coaches, but Ronaldo has already been there for 2 hours. Things like that - I admire their hard work and genuine love for the game.

SSP: How amazing was it be selected for the National Women’s Soccer team?  Can you tell us more about that experience?

That day, May 18th, 2016, was one of the best and happiest days of my life. I remember I was in history class and my dad called me three times so I had to leave the classroom and call him back. He picked up right away and screamed that I had been called for the u15 national team camp in Portland. It was a dream come true really, when all your hard work and late nights pay off and you're given an opportunity to represent your country. It was such an honor. And I had also committed to Penn State an hour after that call which made the day even better. The feeling was indescribable.

SSP: What position do you play, and do you always play that same position?

I play center forward/ striker currently. I have played this position pretty much my whole life but when I was younger I tried almost every position! I played goalie for two years with a club team and I played right back for another two years at another club, and sometimes even today I can get pulled back as a center mid/center attacking mid. It's always good and fun to play other roles on the field. You can learn something from every position!

SSP: How do you balance school and soccer?

When I became a freshman in high school I had started training with a club which is in upstate New York (about a 2 hour drive). So going to training every day far away wasn't easy, especially balancing this with the demands of schoolwork. What I always do is try and do as much homework as I can during school free and lunch periods so that I don't have to stress about that when I get back home. The earlier I got my work done, the better so I could focus on soccer and not have to do homework when I arrived late at home.

SSP:  What is it that you love most about playing soccer?
This is a tough question because I love everything about it! For me though I must say, nothing makes me feel more at peace with myself then while I'm playing soccer. If I had a stressful day at school or just didn't have the greatest day, I would go to practice and forget about everything for those hours of practice. Whenever there is a ball at my feet, I seem to forget about stressful things in life and just have fun with the ball. The freedom and peace the sport brings to my life is a huge one. As well as making so many amazing friends and having amazing experiences around the world!

SSP: Do you have any words of advice for kids, as to why playing sports and continuing to be active is so important?

Try and be active every day! Find something that you love, whether its running, tennis, soccer, football, anything and go with it! Staying active is not only good for you physically and makes you feel good and fit, but it also is so good for you mentally! It clears your head and you can just have fun! And when you play a sport, you can make so many amazing people and friends that you can play with and share similar experiences with!



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