Up Close with Meghan Klingenberg (Bonus — Coach and Teammates Chime in on "Kling")

Here in Pittsburgh, we can’t get enough of Meghan Klingenberg – can we?

Last month, I completed this “Up Close” feature for Pittsburgh Sports Report on the Gibsonia native and Pine Richland grad who had quite a homecoming last month here at Heinz Field.

One of the things that didn’t quite make the cut for that article in PSR, included what others were saying about Klingenberg.
Here are some good quotes that I got from her coach and a few of her USWNT teammates:

WHAT THEY’RE SAYING ABOUT KLING:

U.S. Women’s Head Coach – Jill Ellis

“I tip my hat to Meghan.  She’s a tremendous product of this (Pittsburgh) area and a great ambassador for this town.”

“Meghan really relishes every challenge.  For her to lock down a position, she had to prove herself.  To me it’s was against Brazil.  In a tough tournament match.  (It) was a big step forward in terms of me going ‘this is it’ – she’s got it.  She shut down one of the best players in the world. She had a tremendous tournament.   Now – she’s continuing to grow so much as a player.   I love that about her.  She’s constantly looking for the next thing.”“She can play multiple positions.  She has played some on the wing.  But has excelled at outside back.  She has good feet, and a good brain.  That’s what you need at this level.”

Julie Johnston

(fellow back line mate on what Klingenberg brings to the team – and about her game-saving play against Sweden)

“She’s spunky.  She adds so much personality, energy to our team to practices and every day routines.  She so quick on the field and brings so much energy.  She may be the shortest on the team.  She doesn’t play like it.”
“She’s the highest vert(ical jump) on the team.   I am not kidding you.   When we lift,  we do box jumps.  I always go after her.  Try to beat her vert, but I can’t.   People are so surprised by that – but that’s Kling.  We train for those situations.  We are prepared for what every happens in a game.  She was focused and ready for that moment.  And because of that she saved that game.”

Megan Rapinoe  

(Left Outside Midfield – and Klingenberg’s partner in the outside of the left side of the USWNT attack):

“It was a long road for her to get on the team and on the field.  I remember when she was an alternate at the (2012) Olympics, she never had a chance to play. But she was a great teammate then as she’s a great teammate now.”
“I love playing with her.  We’re likeminded.  And I’m picky about who I play with.  But she’s come into her own.  Done an absolutely tremendous job.  And I’ve learned so much from playing with her.  I think we have a great relationship on the flank.  I look forward to playing with her for a long time.”