Sydney Leroux Comments on Fan Reception Ahead of 2015 World Cup in Canada

While a hostile atmosphere is enough to turn some of the best players in the world into shrinking violets, there are some special footballers who relish a partisan crowd hurling volleys of invective their way. United States women’s national team star Sydney Leroux has insisted she’s of the latter bracket.  

“I feel like the worst you can do is boo me and try to make me feel bad,” said the Canadian-born, USWNT striker, per Brian Lewis of the New York Post. “Because that just makes me hungrier.”

We’ll soon find out if that’s the case. Given her decision to play for the United States instead of her country of birth, the forward is expected to be on the end of a spiky reception from the hosts' supporters when the USWNT play Australia in their World Cup opener on Monday evening.

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Admittedly, being a target of the boo boys is not something new for the striker. As noted by Lewis, in 2012, the New York Flash star was subject to vile racist abuse when the USWNT played Canada in Vancouver. But she answered those critics in the best possible style in a match the following year, scoring the third goal in a 3-0 win.

As we can see here, Leroux had no problem reminding the Canadians in attendance where her allegiances now lie:

Here’s what she put out on social media in the aftermath of that virtuoso performance:

Leroux also revealed there’s no way she’ll be staying away from Twitter and other outlets when the tournament begins either, regardless of the stick that comes her way, per Lewis:

"

No, no. A lot of people are like, ‘Are you going to go on a hiatus away from social media?’ I’m not going to stop being who I am because some people don’t like [it].

The most important part about life — not only soccer — is to stay true to who you are. That’s what I’m going to do, and that’s what I’m going to do in Canada. I’m going to be Sydney Leroux, and if people don’t like it, it’s OK.

"

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Indeed, Leroux’s focus will be squarely on spearheading the United States’ charge toward glory at this World Cup.

Manager Jillian Ellis arguably has the most talented squad in the tournament at her disposal, but it remains to be seen whether the mental scars from the heartbreaking defeat to Japan in the final four years ago have healed sufficiently.

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They have a formidable team, though, and Leroux admitted it’s the quality of the USWNT that inspired her to become a footballer:

"

I was in Canada sitting on the couch with my mom and I turned to her and told her that’s what I wanted to do, and that’s what I wanted to play on: The best team in the world.

I was 9 years old, and ever since I was 9 years old my mom has pushed me and helped me get these dreams and chase my dreams, and that’s the only reason I’m sitting here talking to you.

"

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While the abuse is all unfortunately familiar for Leroux, coping with it at the World Cup represents an entirely different prospect to any other game. But she’s a steely character that has triumphed over adversity already in her distinguished playing career.

If the USWNT and Canada both win their group and their second-round matches, a potential quarter-final showdown could be on the cards between these eternal rivals. If it does materialise, given how Leroux has flourished amid a frosty atmosphere previously, perhaps those home supporters will consider the on-field consequences of any slander that is directed her way.