The Nike Field Reporter

It can’t be for the money, because there is no pay. It is not for the fame, because that is not guaranteed. So why does college graduate Katie Kelly play soccer for the professional amateur team Quickstrike FC? It is simply because she loves the game. The Quickstrike FC play in the W-League and is a feeder team to Women’s Professional Soccer’s NY/NJ Sky Blue squad. Kelly, who is a defender and starred on a division 1 college team, tried out for the WPS’ FC Athletica team in St. Louis but with the final cuts Kelly failed to secure a spot on the roster. Rather than trading in her jersey for a business blazer, the Kansas City native refuses to be complacent and plans to improve her playmaking abilities with the Quickstrike this summer.

Born to an athletic family, Kelly’s father played professional soccer. Inspired by the former pro, Kelly recognizes her dad as one of her greatest inspirations as well as one of her toughest critiques as she pursues playing soccer at the highest level. After years of winning accolades and starring on elite teams, Kelly said she must put the past behind her, as she is now an underdog, competing with the best in the business for a coveted spot on a WPS team.

The 22 year-old may have fell just short of reaching her dream to play professional soccer, but with hard work and determination Kelly believes her time will come. As she shoots to achieve her goal of being a pro, Kelly advises anyone who has been cut from a team or told no to their dream, to never quit and stay confident. Practicing what she preaches, Kelly cannot predict her future in soccer but with a passion for the game she promises soccer will definitely be in her future.

-Lauren Brill