WPS Soccer's Lydia Vandenbergh: This Red Star Knows How To Shine

Lydia Vandenbergh made her first appearance in an official WPS game, stepping on for Megan Rapinoe in the 81st minute of the Washington match on June 14. With that entrance, the midfielder became the 18th Red Star to see action thus far this season. She made the most of the ten minutes she was given.

Vandenbergh was selected by Chicago in the fifth round of the WPS collegiate draft, 34th overall.  

A native of Pisgah Forest, N.C., Vandenbergh played collegiately at Clemson. She started the last 60 consecutive matches of her career.

In four years as a Tiger, Lydia tallied five goals and 14 assists. She played a role in getting her alma mater to the NCAA Tournament all four years. She was also named to the All-ACC Honor Roll.

Lydia's father is a professional mountain biker. She comments that if she couldn't play pro soccer, she'd love to follow in his footsteps. She says she loves going downhill fast, although it seems safe to assume that her meaning there is strictly literal. As a student and an athlete, her trajectory has always only been upward.

Lydia says Jesus is her role model because his life was all about love, joy, and freedom.

When describing herself, she uses just one word: "Joyful." 

Other than at Toyota Park, you might be most likely to see Lydia at an Urban or Forever 21 Store, in a sushi restaurant, or traveling to her favorite places such as Caete, Brazil or Capetown, South Africa.

She also might be home in North Carolina catching up on her favorite shows, The Biggest Loser, Lost, or Private Practice.      

As a person and as an athlete, however, Lydia Vandenbergh has always been one of the biggest winners. She has seldom, if ever, been lost and is dedicated to vigourous practice.