What fuels the fire in heralded soccer prodigy Mallory Pugh

NWSL/USWNT star Mallory Pugh carries the torch for soccer’s next generation. Pugh talks about finding upside in a down year, leading to her “favorite year.”

Athlete drafts can always be a bit of a gamble.

The term “bust” exists for a reason, as does the term “sleeper.” But some picks, like the No. 1 overall spot spent on Rose Lavelle in the 2017 NWSL Draft, aren’t exactly a roll of the dice. Lavelle, now a star lefty midfielder with OL Reign, also enjoys a coveted spot on the USWNT.

And so does her teammate, Chicago Red Stars forward Mallory Pugh.

Pugh is listed as an undrafted player in the 2017 NWSL Draft, but the status is no indication of her anticipated production at the professional level. When the draft happened in January of that year, the 17-year-old Colorado soccer prodigy was still trying to decide her next step: join the roster at UCLA, or head straight for the pros?

By May 13, Pugh had her answer. She officially joined the Washington Spirit roster, becoming the first NWSL player to forgo college to join the league.

Before she even set foot on an NWSL field, Mallory Pugh’s projected success was about as universally accepted as gravity.

The Highlands Ranch, Colorado native began playing for fun at the age of four in her local U-5 league, citing her older sister, Brianna, as her inspiration. Mallory went on to play competitively for Real Colorado in the Elite Clubs National League, just like Brianna did. At age 13, Mallory was playing for Real Colorado, taking the team to state titles in both 2010 and 2011. In 2013 and 2014, she helped Real Colorado make the Elite Clubs National League finals. As a freshman at Mountain Vista High School, Pugh was named to the All-Colorado Team as a freshman and helped her team to the 5A title and was the MVHS Offensive MVP.

Mallory’s curriculum vitae after high school listed every top accolade imaginable, but there is one in particular that stands out. Pugh was named the 2014-15 Gatorade National Girls Soccer Player of the Year, an honor indicative of the best high school athlete in the nation. Her senior year of high school, Pugh was deemed “Player of the Year” by several different organizations, but the Gatorade award is something that she still reflects upon to this day. So when Blessed Trinity Catholic High School’s Riley Jackson was tapped to win the 2021-22 Gatorade National Girls Soccer Player of the Year Award, Pugh did the honors of telling her the good news.

“I think that my most unique quality for me as an athlete is my heart and determination that I play with on the field,” Jackson said following her monumental win. “I think I have a really good engine — I never stop running because I always want to do what’s best for my team and always help my teammates have success.”

Following her recognition by Gatorade, Mallory Pugh became the best youth prospect the NWSL has ever seen, putting her in a unique position as one of the most prominent faces of soccer’s future. At just 24 years old, Pugh has already represented the United States on the world stage several times, and she continues to do so this summer as the USWNT vies for an all-but-guaranteed FIFA World Cup slot. In fact, Pugh was one of three scorers who secured a semi-final win for the United States in a 3-0 match against Costa Rica in the CONCACAF World Championship, heading to a final featuring the U.S. versus Canada.

Pugh is, literally and figuratively, on top of the world, but her wins today come at the cost of yesterday’s losses. It wasn’t so long ago that Pugh was left off the Tokyo 2020 Olympic roster and dealt with one of the biggest challenges as an athlete: overcoming a significant injury.

Physical recovery is one thing, but for anyone forcibly removed from doing what they love — and facing the harsh criticism of onlookers watching their every move — corporeal injuries take a mental toll.

In an exclusive interview highlighting her myriad achievements, Pugh spoke with FanSided about the “good vibes” on the USWNT, how 2021 became her “favorite year” and the personal growth that every twentysomething finds relatable.

Gatorade athletes Mallory Pugh and Riley Jackson fuel the future of American soccer

FanSided: What was it like surprising Riley with this year’s Gatorade Award?

Mallory Pugh: It was really special, I think. I think I’ve done it one time in the past, so to be able to do it again, I think it’s just really special. For me, I know how much that award means and it’s, I think, probably the highest award that you could get in high school. So just to be able to do that and surprise her with it, it was really special.

So you won this award in the 2014-2015 season, and you say that award meant so much to you in that moment. What was it like to win that award and get that recognition in high school?

Pugh: Yeah, I think that, I think I was… I forget what class I was in, but I was in my classroom. And then I remember Brandi Chastain came in and had the award and like, I was like, really thrown back and taken aback, and then it was this whole day and everything. But I think the most special thing was just having my friends and family there. And this morning, when I spoke to Riley, she kind of mentioned her teammates and her friends and her family. So just to kind of see the correlation with that was kind of special too.

You had that common ground with Riley when she shared that award and what it meant to her and her community. So winning this award, you said it’s one of the biggest honors that you can get. What does it say about all these athletes who receive it?

Pugh: Yeah, I think what I love the most about this award is, obviously, it’s what you do on the field. I think that has a big part of it. And obviously, Riley is a great soccer player, but in kind of learning more about her, I think that the way her mind is and her mindset, just asking her literally a few questions, she’s very driven and determined. And I can tell that she’s just a great leader as well. And then also, she is really good in the classroom, too. I think that this award is not just on the field. I think it more so embodies a person as a whole, and I think it’s just really cool just seeing everyone, the different types of people and the similarities, but also the differences that each person has had that has won this award. So yeah, I think it really goes to show the character of someone.

Yeah, that’s really special that they are exceptional people and exceptional athletes. And speaking of exceptional, you have a coveted spot on this incredible U.S. Women’s National Team roster heading into the CONCACAF Finals to qualify for the World Cup and the Olympics. This is huge! I want to ask you a few things about that because this has to be really exciting. So what did it mean to you to make this exclusive roster?

Pugh: Yeah, I think anytime you make a roster, it’s super special. I think it’s just special when you make the roster, but also, that’s not where you start. It’s not where you stop. And I think that’s just the beginning. I’m just very grateful to be here during qualifying and hopefully, we can get the job done.

Definitely. And yeah, I mean, you have made so many rosters over your career, so it must be a little tough to answer. What’s the energy like on your team right now?

Pugh: Yeah, the vibe is really good. We had two games against Colombia, and to be able to have those games, I think, was really important because the style of play is kind of what we’re going to see in CONCACAF. So yeah, I think the vibe is pretty good. We just got here last night, and then our first game is July 4. I think that it’s a good group right now. And there’s a lot of different experience levels, but I think overall, we all know what the job is and that’s qualify, and yeah, hopefully we get that done.

There’s definitely a mix on your team of veterans and then mid-career players and then young stars. Who’s a player whose game you’ve admired and are playing alongside — maybe someone who is making a huge roster like this for the first time?

Pugh: Yeah, I think it’s funny because I feel like, with the youth teams I’ve played with Ashley Sanchez and Emily Fox, so now, to see all of us on the full team together is really special. And I think it just goes to show how good of players they are and how talented this roster is and how deep this roster is. I think that we just have a lot of choices and talent and I think that just makes it competitive and yeah, I don’t know. It’s just a good vibe and it’s fun right now.

That’s awesome. And yeah, the talent always runs deep in the U.S., right? What’s your favorite moment so far during these qualifications?

Pugh: Favorite moment? Yeah, I think the actual moment when you do qualify, I think that it’s like a weight off your shoulders. But also I think that is another starting point because with the U.S., our goal is to win the whole thing. So that part, it’s like two different emotions. It’s like, ‘Ah, thank goodness, we did it.’ But also like, ‘Job’s not done yet.’ And like we keep pushing and we keep going.”

Yeah, definitely. So you’re on this national and international stage, and women’s soccer players represent so much as athletes, but also, a lot of them are big social justice advocates. And we know it’s been a really difficult month for many Americans concerning access to reproductive health care. And so the NWSL and the USWNT issued statements. Megan Rapinoe delivered this heartfelt speech on June 24. What was that moment like for you and your teammates as you prepared for the match against Colombia the next day?

Pugh: Yeah, I think obviously it’s difficult, and these times are obviously difficult for a lot of people. I think that the timing of it all is not ideal. But I think ultimately for us right now, we actually didn’t really have a conversation as a team, because we are so focused on qualifying and getting the job done. But I think there obviously have been conversations within the group. But yeah, I think it’s definitely a difficult time, but I think ultimately, our focus right now is qualifying, and it needs to stay that way.

Of course, I completely understand. So a few months ago, we actually spoke with one of your teammates on the national team, Rose Lavelle. She said in women’s soccer that you all feel the responsibility to make everyone feel welcome and included and loved no matter who you are. I wanted to ask what that quote meant to you, especially following Pride Month.

Pugh: Yeah, I think that… I mean, that’s a really good quote, Rose, I’m gonna have to go tell her [laughs]. Oh, that’s so sweet. Yeah, I think that this sport, and sports in general, just to be welcoming, I think that anyone should feel welcomed and should feel like they should have the platform to do what they love and the gifts that they’ve been given. So yeah, I think that she said it perfectly.

I completely agree, thank you for adding to it. And so in addition to all the national teams that you’ve played on, you played on three different NWSL teams, and you’re currently with the Chicago Red Stars. So Chicago sports fans seem pretty dedicated, maybe a little intense. What’s it been like playing there with the Red Stars?

Pugh: Yeah, I think it’s, it’s been, it’s been a whirlwind. I would say. But I’m very thankful because I feel like in my NWSL career, there’s been a lot of ups and downs. And I think that last year was probably my favorite year in the NWSL, probably one of my favorite years playing in general. Just the team, the girls on the team, I miss them a lot right now. And Chicago as a city is really fun and cool. So yeah, I don’t know, just overall, I do love the Red Stars and love Chicago as a city.

Yeah, so can you tell me a little bit more about why was your favorite year last year?

Pugh: Yeah. So obviously, I didn’t make the Olympic roster. I was dealing with injuries, and timing and stuff just wasn’t good. I wasn’t playing well. But I think that adversity — it was like adversity that I needed to help me kind of find my game and get back to what I love and me as a person and everything, so I think it was, I just saw a lot of growth last year, both on and off the field. So yeah, I think that’s probably why it was my favorite year.

Yeah, definitely. And congrats on your engagement, I know that was last year.

Pugh: Oh, thank you! Oh yeah, and that. [Laughs]

Of course, 2021 was a very good year. But yeah, in a lot of reports that I’ve seen, that’s exactly what everyone says. That you faced that adversity, but you’ve come back so much stronger. I know athletes talk about this so much, but can you tell me how important is it to your game to keep a chip on your shoulder, especially after you’ve won so much?

Pugh: Yeah, I think that you just have to, I don’t know. I think last year, I obviously had that adversity, and there are times where I was very down and sad. But I think also I was determined — determined to get back and just feel good again. And feel good playing and off the field, on the field, all of it. So I think I didn’t want to just stop, you know, like you want to keep going and you want to get through it because I think that is, again, just a true test to someone’s character.

Definitely. And I do want to bring this up: We’ve had recent conversations with athletes about mental health, and obviously, with an injury, you’re dealing with that physical health, but being out of the game and that sort of thing in recovery, it can also affect your mental health. Were there any lessons or takeaways that you learned on how to take care of your physical and mental health in the past year?

Pugh: Yeah, so I actually started working with a sports pysch/health/mental guy, he’s all of the above. [Laughs] Most of the time, we don’t even talk sports, it’s like everything else. [We started working] in 2020, and so yeah, I’ve just seen a lot of growth with that. And I think that I honestly don’t think I would be here where I am today if I didn’t have that. So I am a huge advocate for mental health and seeing whoever you need to see. Especially with everything going on right now. I feel like the world is spinning in a different way. So I think that yeah, definitely, seeking out help and getting help in working through it is very, very important.

Yeah. Thank you so much. For sharing that, by the way. It’s so important that athletes share—

Pugh: [Laughs] No, I’m not afraid to share that. I think it is very important. Yeah.

Yeah, thank you. So, last question: What advice do you have for Riley and all future recipients of this award?

Pugh: That’s a good one. Actually, I asked Riley the question of ‘what advice would you give younger girls’, and she said exactly what I said. I always just say like, always have fun. And don’t lose sight of the fun and the game and the joy. I think I’ve learned in my career that it’s just a game. And there’s a few of us that are very fortunate to be able to do this as a job, and I think that can kind of catch up with some people. But the moment you’ve been doing — I’ve been doing this for 20 years — so the moment, I’m like, it’s just a game. It’s supposed to be fun. I’m supposed to have fun with my teammates, and the competitiveness… I love that. So just keeping that in mind when all the other stresses come, I think, is super important.

Mallory Pugh and the USWNT will play Canada in the CONCACAF W Championship Final on July 18 at 10 p.m. ET. Streaming is available through Paramount+.