A. Young: 4 years old.

2. How did you get involved with soccer?
A. Young: All the Japanese kids were doing it and I wasn’t exactly the typical girl to put in ballet.

3. What positions have you played?

A. Young: I have attempted and been assigned to all positions throughout my soccer career, including goalkeeper. Successfulness in these positions is a different story. With the national team, I have been assigned mainly to the midfield or striker positions.

4. Which position is your most favorite and least favorite? And why?

A. Young: Most Favorite: Goalkeeper. I don’t play it and I’m not good at it. I think it’s so unique from all the other positions and goalkeepers just look like the cool kids. Least Favorite: Can’t say that I really have a least favorite. If forced, I would probably say left midfield. Reason—because my left foot hates me more than my right, the demand for running when on offense and dropping back for defense irks me, and for half of the game I can clearly hear the coach yelling at me from the sidelines.

5. How would you describe your experience on the national team?

A. Young: I would say it’s pretty synonymous to kindergarten. It’s scary without your mom but you love it anyway. On my first trip, I hadn’t grasped the idea that the level we were playing wasn’t typical Guam soccer. I didn’t have the familiar support, but quickly learned to grow with the team and feed off of their energy. Traveling to impoverished places had also exposed me a new level of maturity at a young age. It has been a blessing.

6. What would you like to share with all the other female soccer athletes about playing soccer for the national team?

A. Young: The national team experience is one that every female soccer athlete should strive for not purely because of the level of play but also because it gives you opportunities that one can only imagine. It’s challenging but well worth your time.

7. What is the best part about training?

A. Young: Water breaks and cool down. At a more analytical level, seeing women from different background, age levels, and experiences mesh together.

8. What is the hardest part about training?

A. Young: Conditioning and impressing the coaches. Also, practicing when people are burning their trash near the field.

9. If you were to do it all over again, would you?

A. Young: No doubt about it!

10. What tips or secret ingredient would you give to others that desire to be on the national team?

A. Young: Be outgoing but respectful. Get to know your teammates even if you are shy because these are the girls that are going to get you through those sprints, injuries, and mental blocks. Always come out strong.

11. If you were a spokesperson for Guam Football Association Women’s Football and you need to give a speech to inspire your fellow female athletes, what would you say to promote soccer?

A. Young: I’ve been doing it for about six years and I’m obviously not here because I hate it. I have played with girls who were at a beginner level struggling amongst stronger, skilled players but went to every practice and gave it everything they had. Over time, they traveled, started numerous games, and became outstanding athletes. It sounds cliché but everyone is capable. Once on the field, the girl on the newspaper is no different than the new girl. It’s all for the love of the game. “Just do it.”

12. What is your fondest memory of playing soccer?

A. Young: I was about six and the only girl on my Robbie Webber team. A boy from the other team took a shot but I was in the way. I kicked it as hard as I could and remembered it going higher than the wires on the power pole. It impressed the boys on my team

13. What has been your biggest disappointment in football?

A. Young: Playing for the University of Memphis. Though much of my work ethics can be attributed to my former team, I arrived with high hopes and left with little hope. I saw an amazing team fall apart by the end of my freshman year.

14. What is your favorite type of music?

A. Young: I’m pretty eclectic. At the top would be acoustic, island, and jazz.

15. Favorite book?

A. Young: “Mountains Beyond Mountains” by Tracy Kidder

16. Your favorite film?

A. Young: City of God

17. Your favorite city?

A. Young: San Francisco, California

18. Favorite hobby?

A. Young: It’s a toss up between guitar and spear-fishing.

19.  Who has been the most influential figure to you?
A. Young: Dr. Ronald Kobayashi. I chose Dr. Kobayashi because of his achievements throughout his life and continual progression. He has provided me opportunities that are not stumbled upon everyday. With his guidance and knowledge, he is helping me inch my way towards Med school and learn every aspect of medicine. He is not a surgeon because of the publicity, the monetary compensation, or status. He does it because he truly cares about his patients and his job. All the while, he manages a substantial amount of his time to his family and activities away from work. Ultimately, an admirable doctor to me would rather drive a pickup truck than a Lexus and Dr. K refuses to be caught driving a luxury vehicle. As his wife, Sheila Kobayashi, says, "He is still a surfer boy at heart."

20. What is your main strength?

A. Young: I would like to think my rationale

21. What qualities do you appreciate?

A. Young: Great work ethic, intelligence, sincerity, and of course tasteful sense of humor.

22. What are you afraid of?

A. Young: Germs

23. Who would you most like to meet?

A. Young: Dr. Paul Farmer (can be found in the book “Mountains Beyond Mountains”) and Coach Kim’s soccer coach that made him do 2000 push ups.

24. Where do you see yourself in 3 years in regards to soccer?

A. Young: Ideally, I hope to play with a competitive club team if it fits in with school and work. If that plan doesn’t work out, I’ll at least be watching it on TV or YouTube.

25. What are your goals/ambitions?

A. Young: First, I hope to get into Med School. In the long run, I want to work for Doctors without Borders in Africa.