One-on-One with Meghan Klingenberg

Meghan Klingenberg with the World Cup trophy (2015 File photo: Courtesy U.S. Soccer)

As her annual two-day camp for young soccer players at Southpointe Fieldhouse in Canonsburg came to a conclusion, Meghan Klingenberg made sure to spend time with each camper, giving them some parting words of advice and posing for photos.

Once she completed with her camp duties, the Gibsonia native, World Cup winner and current member of the Portland Thorns of the NWSL, was gracious enough to sit down for a one-on-one interview.

It seemed fitting to catch up with one of Pittsburgh’s most prominent soccer figures from the past 10 years as the decade came to a close on Tuesday.

Klingenberg addressed and discussed numerous topics, including:

• Annual Meghan Klingenberg camp and working with young soccer players
• Youth and college experiences
• What it took to become an elite, professional and National team player
• Experience of playing in her hometown, at Heinz Field after winning the World Cup
• Looking back a decade in Pittsburgh soccer and thoughts on state of the sport in the U.S.
• Can a women’s pro soccer team make it in Pittsburgh?
• What’s next for Meghan Klingenberg?

Meghan Klingenberg career highlights:

Club: 

Portland Thorns (2016-present) 

Was one of two players to appear in 23 matches last season, surpassing 5,000 career minutes played for Thorns FC against Orlando on April 14. 

Houston Dash (2014-15):

Appeared in 12 matches in 2015. Selected by the Dash in the 2014 NWSL Expansion Draft and arrived midseason after the conclusion of her time with Swedish club Tyresö.

Tyresö (Sweden: 2012-14)

Guided Tyresö to a runner-up finish in the 2013-14 UEFA Women’s Champions League, falling 4-3 in the final to VfL Wolfsburg.

magicJack | Boston Breakers (2011)

The third-overall selection in the 2011 Women’s Professional Soccer (WPS) Draft by magicJack. Appeared in two games before she was acquired by the Boston Breakers in a trade. Played in 10 matches, registering one goal and two assists in her first professional season with the Breakers.

International

Has earned 74 caps, tallying three goals for the U.S. Women’s National Team.

2017: Made two starts against Sweden (June 8) and Norway (June 11)…Returned to the starting lineup, appearing in a pair of friendlies against Russia on April 6 and 9…Named to the short list for the 2016 FIFPro World Best XI…Called into USWNT camp ahead of the SheBelieves Cup. 

2016: Made 20 appearances (18 starts), tallying four assists…Named to her first Olympic roster for the 2016 Olympics, starting and playing in three matches in the tournament…Named to the FIFPro Women’s World XI…Helped the USWNT win the 2016 CONCACAF Women’s Championship and earn a berth to the 2016 Rio Olympics.

2015: Named to the FIFPro Women’s World XI…A member of the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup champions in her first World Cup tournament, she played every minute of all seven games…Named to the FIFA Women’s World Cup All-Star Team…Played in all 26 games for the WNT in 2015, starting 23 games…Scored her first goal of 2015, and second of her international career, on a spectacular shot from outside the penalty area in a 4-0 victory against New Zealand on April 4… Appeared in all four matches, starting three to help the U.S. claim the Algarve Cup title…Scored the third goal of her career against Costa Rica in her home town of Pittsburgh on Aug. 16…Assisted on the equalizing goal against Brazil during the Victory Tour on October 21.

2014: Started 17 of 18 games played…Was fifth on the team for field players in minutes played with 1,325…Notched her first international goal at the senior level with a golazo, long-distance strike against Haiti during World Cup Qualifying.

2013: Played in four matches, starting three, but missed several games due to a foot injury.

2012: Did not play in a match for the USWNT, but was named an alternate for the 2012 Olympic Team.

2011: Earned her first call-up for a training camp in January of 2011, and she earned a spot on the roster for the Four Nations Tournament in China…Earned her first two caps at the Four Nations Tournament, playing against Canada and China.

Youth National Teams: Played for the U.S. U-23 Women’s National Team in 2009 and 2010…A key member of the USA’s 2008 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup champions…Played every minute of her five starts in the tournament including all 90 during the World Cup Final victory against Korea DPR…Ended her U-20 career with 16 caps and one goal, that scored against Costa Rica in the CONCACAF Women’s World Cup Qualifying Tournament…She played every minute of all five matches at the U-20 Women’s World Cup Qualifying Tournament…Played for the USA at the U-17 and U-16 levels in 2005 and 2004.

College (North Carolina)

A four-year starter at the University of North Carolina (2007-10)…Appeared in 94 games, tallying 18 goals and 24 assists…Won two NCAA Championships…Earned All-American and first team All-ACC honors in 2010.

The Klingenberg Archives: Pittsburgh Soccer Now / Pittsburgh Soccer Report

COLUMN: Klingenberg’s persistence, business savvy pay off for USWNT peers

As Klingenberg, Thorns Start Pro Season, What Does Future Hold For Women's Pro Soccer in Pittsburgh?

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

Klingenberg has special ‘Pittsburgh’ moment as USWNT overpower Costa Rica