Player Spotlight: Lori Lindsey

First Player signed by the Independence, LORI LINDSEY, Weighs in on Her Move to Philadelphia, Shoveling Snow to Run Sprints, and Learning to Love the Eagles

Lori Lindsey will go down in history as the first expansion player ever drafted in the WPS, and we sat down with Lori to a little bit more about her. Growing up in Indiana, soccer was just beginning to get competitive when Lori was young, and she spent countless hours training for a sport that was not very mainstream in her area. Competing against girls who were training year round in California, Lori always had to go the extra mile to stay at the top of her game. “I always wanted to stay as fit as possible, so even if it was snowing and freezing in Indiana, I would shovel our backyard to run sprints and do fitness in the little area I had cleared. The roads were too icy and I didn’t belong to a gym, so to me it just seemed like the only option. My family makes fun of me to this day for all the weird things I would do.” But Lori’s dedication paid off, and her commitment to the game has helped her succeed at every level she has played at. A decade since leaving her snow-covered backyard in Indiana to attend at the University of Virginia, Lori is looking forward to a new beginning in Philadelphia with another unique set of challenges to overcome.

Over the past seven years, Lori has seen professional women’s soccer evolve and has remained a dominant presence in the game. Lori, who spent the last six years with the Washington Freedom competing in the WUSA, W-League, and the WPS, is excited for a change. “I’ve been really lucky with the Freedom over the last several years. I’ve grown as a player and learned a tremendous amount, and I wouldn’t trade my experiences there for anything. But in everyone’s life, there comes a time when you have to move on, and this was a great opportunity for me to step outside my comfort zone.”

With her low key attitude that makes those around her feel at ease, it’s hard to believe that Lori will have any problem adjusting to a new setting. She takes pride in her ability to make people laugh, and believes that she can cook eggs with the best of them. If she’s not playing soccer, you’ll probably find her relaxing or hanging with her friends, but be warned that if she’s not on a soccer schedule, she might be late. Lori claims that punctuality to non-soccer events is one of her weaknesses, but as long as she makes it to games on time in Philly next year, we can let that one slide.

Lori has visited friends in Philadelphia many times and is ready to make her transition into becoming a full-fledged Philadelphian. The only problem she’s expecting to encounter is her NFL allegiance to the Indiana Colts. “I’m definitely not rooting against the Eagles, it’s just that the Colts are my team. In fact, I’ve got no problem supporting the Eagles, it’s really only going to be a problem when they play each other!” The Philly sports fanaticism is a problem Lori is happy to deal with, because she hopes those avid Philly sports fans will support the Independence just as strongly. “The Philadelphia soccer community is a great one to be a part of, and it’s about time that Women’s Pro Soccer returned to the area.”

Lori knows that as an expansion team, the Independence is in a unique situation, but she believes the squad is up for the challenge. “Honestly, we don’t really even look like an expansion team anymore. The core group of players that are already on the roster are extremely talented and a genuinely great bunch of girls. I think we are in a really good place and I’m excited about the upcoming season.”

The thing Lori’s looking forward to the most about coming to Philly? “The cheesesteaks” she laughs. “No, but seriously.”

Player Spotlight