Rondos, Rookies & Reign
Bethany Balcer, USA
Can you introduce yourself and tell us about your current football life?
My name is Bethany Balcer, and I am from Hudsonville, Michigan. I currently live in Seattle and play as a forward for the Seattle Reign in the NWSL. I have been with the Reign for all five years of my professional career, and I have loved every second of it. The culture of this team is what has made it so good. We were able to go to the Championship last year, although we fell short, it was an incredible season.
What has been your football journey up until now?
I played club soccer for most of my childhood, but stopped once I got to high school. I wanted to participate in other things, like basketball and musicals. I had other passions I wanted to pursue, and I was glad I had the opportunity to do so. This allowed me to diversify myself and not get burnt out from playing soccer all the time.
I went to college at Spring Arbor University, a small NAIA (National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics) school completely outside of the NCAA, with no real expectation in mind for my future in the sport. I did not have aspirations to go professional, nor did I think I was capable of doing so. After my freshman year of college, I was able to pave a path towards a dream of playing professionally. I started understanding my potential more and was able to see more of a future with it.
Coming from a smaller school, I knew I would have to work extra hard in order to achieve playing professionally. I sacrificed two summers to play, unpaid, to get more exposure and play against people playing Division 1. I played at GRFC (Grand Rapids FC), which is a UWS team (United Women's Soccer), and at Seattle Sounders Women of the WPSL (Women's Premier Soccer League).
My sister was someone who was always by my side, and who always supported and encouraged me. But, she also challenged me and made sure I was never content with where I was. She knew what I was capable of and stopped at nothing to make sure I would get there.
What did you try to show with the photos? Was there any wider meaning with the photos?
I took photos of my Reign teammates throughout the 2023 season.
Sofia Huerta, Olivia Athens, and Emily Sonnett before training on the road in North Carolina, probably arguing about something:)
Jordyn Huitema and Veronica Latsko, after a victory in LA in the Challenge Cup. For two years running we were the top seed, and last year we did not let in any goals in the group stage!
Sofia Huerta and Nikki Stanton walking on the pitch before our game in Louisville. We like to get a feel for what the surface of the pitch is like before we start warmups.
Our team playing rondos before we warm up. I love setting up a small rondo grid before each game and screaming "who's ready to play rondos!!!" It is something that gets us warm and makes us laugh uncontrollably.
Angelina and Luany, our two Brazilian maestros, wanted a victory photo after they beat me and Olivia Athens in teqball.
Olivia Athens in our locker room reading before a team meeting. We have got some book worms on the team!
Olivia Athens, Sam Hiatt, and Megan Rapinoe putting the boots on before a cold training in the Pacific Northwest.
Laurel Ivory putting in work at goalkeeper training.
Phoebe McClernon at Starfire, where we train everyday, walking towards our training field.
Our trainer Kevin taping my ankles. I get my ankles taped before every game because if I don't, I will surely fall over!
Have any of your teammates inspired you?
Sofia Huerta is someone who has inspired me. She was on the US team for a little while and did not get called back in until years later. She is a reminder of persistence and commitment to the sport.
Lu Barnes is an icon, a Reign legend, and an NWSL legend. She has so many records for the longest tenured player, most caps, most caps with a single club. This girl is the heart and soul of not only the Reign, but of the league. Everyone she comes into contact with is made better by her kindness and presence.
What are your favorite photos? Why?
There is a photo of Lu Barnes and Megan Rapinoe, taken at the NWSL Championship as we were walking into the stadium. It was so cool to be in the finals, and to be in it with two of the best on my team. These women have led the way both on and off the field, and it was so rewarding as a team to help them reach the Final.
I love the photo of Ryanne Brown and Elyse Bennett, taken after we had lost the final at our team afterparty. Still smiling and enjoying ourselves because we had so much to be proud of. It reminds me why I do what I do. Even after the most devastating loss, joy can be found. There is a spirit to the game, to sharing the highs and lows with your teammates, that cannot be beaten. No matter the result.
What are the opportunities and challenges for women’s footballers in the USA? What changes have you seen in women’s football since you started playing?
There are many challenges to being an American footballer. For starters, football is not appreciated as much over here, but we are making incredible strides. From closing the pay gap, to increasing standards on and off the field, I have been able to see a lot of change in the NWSL since I began.
My rookie year I was with a host family, and now all rookies get team housing. My rookie year I did not get anything for winning ROTY (Rookie Of The Year), and now they get a large bonus. The league is growing and so is the appreciation for women's sports around the nation. We are being heard, we are being seen, and it is exciting to be a part of the growth and movement forward of this league.
What role does football play in your community and American society?
I played for my local club in Hudsonville for most of my childhood, which my dad was the President of, so I was constantly at the fields, watching all my older siblings play. Football was embedded into my family, and many other families. To see such a small community create such an inspirational and competitive club is something I am very grateful for. The club still stands to this day and is a marker in my journey for where I am today. Go Georgetown Rangers!
What does football mean to you? What are your personal ambitions for the future?
Football means a lot to me, although it does not mean everything. I have learned that this sport gives me so much. Every time I step on the pitch, it is an opportunity to give back and to show a cool talent I have been blessed with.
It is important to have a healthy relationship with the sport. In doing so, I have found an incredible community outside of football and made great connections. Whether it is through church groups, counseling internship relationships, babysitting for families, I have found many other things to be a part of. But, football is what led me to it all.
The friendships I have made and the growth I have achieved are key reasons for why I do what I do. I obviously have aspirations to continue to play at the highest level, and achieve more with the national team. I would like to get called back into camp and earn more caps, play in more games, and play in global tournaments. But I know I need to work on more things before that can be a reality.
What does the future look like for women's football? What do you want/expect to change?
The future for women's football is so bright. From younger players entering the NWSL and killing it, to all the internationals who want to play in this league, it shows how competitive and worthwhile the opportunity is.
We have seen a shift in the women's game becoming more competitive on a global scale, and it means that federations are stepping up in terms of quality and standard. So, at the club level, it is bound to do the same, which is exciting to be a part of.
I want to change the standard. I want every team to have a sellout crowd each game. I want every women’s team's facilities to be equivalent to their men counterparts. I want the investment and media coverage to be the same as the men's. Women's soccer is thriving right now, and it is cool to be a part of the growth.
