She agreed to give us half an hour between a surf session and a dinner in a floral shirt. Not selected by Corinne Deacon to face Greece and Slovenia with the Blue in the qualifiers for the 2023 World Cup, striker Eugenie Le Sommer chose to take advantage of this imposed break to go on vacation to Hawaii. History of “Clear your head and start afresh for the end of the season”. The impasse having been made on his non-selection with the French women’s team, we took the opportunity to discover his new life, across the Atlantic.
What is your life like in the United States?
In terms of the week and training, it does not change too much. Rather, it is during travel. Here, it is easily four to seven hours by plane with sometimes even jet lag. It’s almost like taking a Paris-New York flight every other weekend. And to top it off, there are big changes in terms of the climate. And that, I had particularly difficult to manage it. For example, we played in Orlando or Houston and there, you barely leave the hotel when you are already sweating.
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There is also a strong public enthusiasm. How do you like it ?
It’s great ! We broke the attendance record this summer during the derby against Portland. There were 27,248 spectators in attendance that day. This is only positive. I have always said that even when we play in Paris with OL and we are sometimes insulted by the supporters, I prefer this kind of atmosphere with people and noise in the stands than an empty stadium. .
You have been at OL Reign since June. How did your integration go?
I was very well received. Girls laugh a lot about my accent, but they say it’s cute, so it’s okay i take it well (laughs). The players were happy that I came and discovered the American championship. I come from France, I won everything with Lyon, so for them it was a way of saying “now you’ll see what football is like in the US”.
Bye Washington ?? 10 points/12 ! Proud of the team ?? End of this long trip across the US ??
5 more games to qualify for the Plays-off ??——
10 points / 12! Proud of the team ?? End of this long journey through the USA ?? Still 5 games to qualify for the Plays-off ?? pic.twitter.com/Xo6larMqH5
– Eugénie Le Sommer (@ ELS_9_FRANCE) September 13, 2021
You were quickly plunged into the bath. Wasn’t it too hard to find your bearings?
I’m happy with my start to the season, even if it was a bit difficult at the start. When I arrived, I was not quite ready physically. I lacked rhythm. And then I had to analyze my teammates a lot. In Lyon, every season there are two or three new players you have to adapt to. There it was twenty-five at once, so my brain got a little heated (laughs). You have to understand the way your teammates play, the championship, the whole League system… And then the language. In training you don’t have time to say “Eh wait! I did not understand “ because it plays direct. So it takes extra energy. So yes, I think this experience is my biggest challenge in the last ten years.
On the ground too, things are going at a hundred miles an hour …
Yes, it’s a more physical and direct game. It’s intense from the first to the last minute. We don’t have time to spin the ball to rest. The matches are also more open because the league is very homogeneous. It comes from the fact that the American and Canadian international players are divided between the teams.
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Are there other aspects that differ from what you know in France?
There are differences in the approach of the matches. On the move, we are much more free. We only have one or two meals together and after each one manages. So we often eat out, we can order, we can also go and stay with friends if we want. They really trust the players individually in the preparation for the match.
Is that something you would like to see more of in Europe?
It would be difficult to model the entire American system, but I think we can pick small things. It would do everyone good. I have had experiences in which we were not allowed to leave the hotel. But just knowing that you can go get a coffee downstairs if you want to, that doesn’t change anything on the pitch and yet it allows the players to feel a little more free.
???? The 1st goal, MAGNIFICENT, signed @ ELS_9_FRANCE with the jersey@OLReign ??????
Watch the summary of the match with Eugénie Le Sommer’s 2nd goal on #OLPLAY ?? https://t.co/vpqxcarEaz pic.twitter.com/5iygl68kcZ
— OL Féminin (@OLfeminin) August 1, 2021
You also play alongside Megan Rapinoe, an icon on and off the pitch. How is it on a daily basis?
She is great ! I already got along well with her when she came to OL (during the 2013-2014 season). On the pitch, she is very important, in the locker room too, she is a leader. The players of the other teams and even those of my team look at her in a way… She is frankly a great girl. She has character, convictions and she fights for that. Despite everything we can say about her, she gets things done.
READ ALSO. French women’s team. Les Bleues win in Greece after a festival of goals
Many American players do not hesitate to take a stand on societal issues. What does that inspire you?
It is true that in my team, the players are committed to several causes: the environment, homophobia, racism… These are subjects I hear about every day at the club. The girls realize that women’s football in the United States is very popular and that they can use their visibility to get messages out. It is true that they are much more involved than us in France. I think it also comes from the history of the American championship. The championship has been professional since at least 2013, and even before, intermittently, while we are still fighting for a professional status for all footballers. So maybe it’s less our priority, but it makes me want and it makes me think. I realize that I can have a voice that matters and that I can get a message across. Even if it only educates five people, it will already be that.
?? WOW !!!!! What a game and what a win ??
Thanks to all the amazing fans for your support ??
——
Magnificent 2-1 victory in the derby against Portland ???? pic.twitter.com/HugKQ8qTck
– Eugénie Le Sommer (@ ELS_9_FRANCE) August 30, 2021
Have you been surprised by American culture since you arrived?
I had come a few times on vacation, so I knew a bit about the country. But I am still amazed by certain things. When we go shopping, for example, everything is in high volume. Their cereal packets are three times the size of French packets! There is also the size of the cars, the roads… Sometimes you find yourself on ten-lane highways here. And then the buildings. For us, the district of La Défense in Paris is gigantic, but they would find it ridiculous. Everything is great here… It’s funny to compare.
Would you see yourself living there for the long term?
I do not believe. It is far from France and it is difficult with the time difference to reach those close to you. Even if I don’t know where I will live later, I still like France and Brittany obviously (laughs). It’s the family.
– .
