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Jeff Kassouf
Labonta Labonta has become the oldest player to make his debut in the UNITED STATES 40 years historical of the national women’s team when she entered the match in the 70th minute of her team 3-0 victory on China.
Labonta is 32 years old and 74 days. She has a decade of professional experience as a field of box-to-box in the NwslBut that didn’t make him a USWNT call until the beginning of the month.
“You must have a short -term memory, whether victories or losses,” Labonta told TBS after her international beginnings on Saturday.
“And when there is a loss, you have let it flow, but you learn, and you continue. And that’s what I have done with all the obstacles of my life. And you know me, I am still kidding in the locker room, and I try to do everything with a smile, but I’m here grinding myself.
McCall Zerboni midfielder set the previous USWNT record for the oldest beginnings in 2017 when she made her debut just before her 31st birthday.
Labonta is the captain of the NWSL Kansas City Current And was an important contributor to the team’s record attack in 2024, as well as in place of Kansas City at the top of the NWSL table near the half of this season.
She scored three goals in 10 games for the league this season. She recorded six goals and a pass last year in 24 games for the current, which set an NWSL record with 57 goals scored.
“I know that many have been done on (the age of Labonta), but again, I watch the league,” said Hayes after the match on Saturday. “I watch all the matches, and she was a player who did not abandon herself, and she also made sure that her performances remained high, even when she did not get the cry for the national team. I think it should serve as a great reminder to everyone.
“I think her maturity you could see was there. She is confident not only to come to the game, but offered a beautiful support role alongside Sam (Coffey). I think her experience in the camp was very useful, and I can’t wait to see more of her. ”
Hayes revealed last week that she and her staff sank on the opportunity to bring Labonta to the Olympic Games as a last year.
Labonta ended her 10 pass attempts on Saturday, according to ESPN Research.
Labonta received calls to national American teams from 2007, but had not reached the upper level before this training camp.
She is the second player in the Hawaiian heritage to win a USWNT call, according to American football. Natasha Kai, Olympic winner of the gold medal, was the first. Labonta told Futbol d’Espn W earlier this month that she was a ball girl for a USWNT game in Los Angeles when Kai was a player, and Kai gave Labonta a signed cleat after learning that she was also Hawaiian.
“This is a dream come true,” said Labonta to Futbol d’Espn W about his first USWNT call.
“If you are a professional football player – or even if you are a football player in general – it’s always your dream of playing in the American national women’s team. I have this dream for over 20 years now.
“So, to finally make the call, I had to pinch myself. I said to myself:” It cannot be real because this year, they called the young, the young guns and here I receive this call. “”