Lindsay Tarpley: From Gold Medals to Red Stars

Lindsay Tarpley brings Kalamazoo Midwestern Values to Chicago as one of three National Team allocations to the Red Stars. They are the values of family, excellence, loyalty, and graciousness.

If she were a soldier, we would say she is one of the most decorated members of the Chicago club. Tarpley has earned enough international caps to send one to each of the United States.

In 2002, she played in 26 matches for the US Women's National U-19 team, scoring 24 goals. She scored the golden goal to win the World Championship against Canada the same year, and earned the bronze boot award for having the third most goals by a player in the tournament. She also won the US Soccer Female Player of the Year Award for the same year.

On the US Olympic Team in 2004, Tarpley was the second youngest member of the side. She played in all six games, starting three, and scored the first goal in the Gold Medal game.

In the 2007 Women's World Cup tourney, Tarpley earned an assist against Norway in the third place match. 

Tarpley won another gold medal in the 2008 Olympics, starting all six games, and tallied one goal and one assist.

In 2008 Tarpley earned 34 international caps, and finished third on Women's National Team with 12 goals on the year.

She ranks in the Top 15 All Time Goal Scorers in US History.

Considering all of this, is not surprising that Tarpley would say her two gold medals are her greatest accomplishment in soccer thus far.  

Tarpley says she can't remember a time in life when she didn't want to play soccer and continue to improve her game. While playing professionally isn't something that occurred to her in her early years, she feels very fortunate to have the opportunity now to "play professionally in the best women's soccer league in the world."

Surprisingly, Tarpley does not identify a particular coach or older player as a role model. She says the greatest influence on her soccer career has been her family because they have been so supportive of her.

As a Red Star, Tarpley is tied for the most goals in the season to date, and has been an integral part of the team's offense and defense from her midfield position.

Whenever her playing career is over, Tarpley hopes to remain involved in the game and give back in any way possible to the sport that has given so much to her.