Recently, Kelley Ferro of the Nike Women Field Reporter team had the chance to interview Lindsay Tarpley of the Women's National Team. Tarp was at the Chicago Niketown to headline a forum on soccer training with Abby Wambach. Before the forum kicked-off, the Kalamazoo native opened up to Ferro and talked about her life and what’s next on the horizon.

Kelley Ferro: What was the best moment in your soccer career?
Lindsey Tarpley: Standing at the podium and accepting that gold medal. We had lost three key players before the Games, and we still overcame.

KF: So, this past August marked your second gold medal in a row. How did this gold medal feel different than the
first time?
LT: In Athens I was a lot younger. I learned a lot form Mia and Julie, but I was still learning. This year I was more mature and much stronger.

KF: When did your training really pay off and you said to yourself, "That was awesome"?
LT: In 2004 at the Athens Games, I had the first goal. I had really been working on my long-range shots. I was practicing them a lot. And all of a sudden the chance was there and I kicked a 21-yard goal. The training had really paid off!

KF: When you are having a rough day and don't feel like practicing, what gets you up and out there?
LT: My teammates. Knowing that my teammates are out there and practicing—that's what inspires me.

KF: Who was the role model that really inspired you to go all the way in soccer?
LT: Tracy, my U19 coach. She was an influential coach at an important time in my life.

KF: What do you do in your free time? Whenever that is….
LT: Well since I don't get a lot of free time, I like to be with my husband. We go to coffee shops, play basketball and hang out.

KF: If you could be better at one sport – other than soccer – what would it be?
LT: Golf

KF: What's your favorite indulgence?
LT: Junk food. As much of it as I can get! If I had to pick one, it'd be ice cream.

KF: What's your personal motto?
LT: Just to get after it. Dream big.

KF: So what's next?
LT: I just hope to keep doing well. And next up, World Cup.

-Kelley Ferro

Some might think there’s not much at stake during the MNT’s first game of the New Year. With most fans looking ahead to the Feb. 11 qualifier against our longtime rivals and neighbors to the south, the Saturday match-up against Sweden is getting slightly overlooked.

Don’t tell that to any of the guys who reported in for the 20-day training camp on Jan. 4 in Carson, California. The roster might not be quite as star-studded as the one coming up against Mexico, but you’ll see just as much fire on the field as ever. After all, these are spots on the 2010 South Africa squad at stake. The boys on Saturday may just as well be playing in a WC qualifier.

And that’s not to say that there will be no stars on the field on Saturday. Remember Charlie Davies? After a breakout season with his European club, Charlie is looking to break into the senior side with just as much force. And playing his club ball in Sweden, he’s no doubt got the inside info on the Swedes. Look for a banner performance from Davies.

It’s up to the boys on Saturday to set the tone for the final round of qualifying and pave the road to South Africa.

Tune in to watch all the action (5:30 p.m, PT, FSC and Galavision).

It’s not just big news in America, it’s big news everywhere. Landon Donovan is back in Europe, and he’s poised to make his mark.

This isn’t the first time the 26-year-old US national team star has ventured overseas to play soccer – Landon has had two previous stints, the first coming at the ripe old age of 16.

But the Landon that has recently arrived in the German Bundesliga is a new one altogether. “I've grown up, especially mentally," said Donovan. "I'm more experienced and mentally stronger, and I know what to expect here.”

Landon is on a quest to ball in Europe. And this time he’s got early evidence of success. Landon scored in an exhibition match when he trapped the ball at the top of the area with a deft touch, then turned and fired into the corner of the net. Believe us, this one deserves a look (The goal is at 1:46). Proving he’s no one trick pony, Donovan backed up his performance with another goal in a Bundesliga friendly.

The loan period from his home club in LA is only ten weeks, but if Landon has anything to say about it (and we’re sure he will), it could be the beginning of a lasting relationship.

What makes Nike Bootcamp the best training program in the world?

It's called science.

From Rio to Madrid to the Nike Sports Research Lab, this video takes you behind the drills and puts you face-to-face with the technicians who designed Bootcamp. And more importantly, why they designed it.

It's no secret the sport has changed: Athletes are faster and stronger than ever before. To be the best you have to evolve immediately, and Bootcamp gives you the necessary training to get there.

http://inside.nike.com/blogs/nikesoccer/2010/01/07/go-mobile-with-master-accuracy