CINCINNATI — The best in women's soccer are going for glory.
The FIFA Women’s World Cup is underway, with the United States ready to defend their back-to-back World Cup titles and ready to inspire a new generation of soccer fans.
Two players for Team USA have the attention of fans here in Ohio, including Aubrey Kingsbury, a Queen City native who was named to her first World Cup roster.
What You Need To Know
- Aubrey Kingsbury has been called up to her first FIFA Women's World Cup
- The goalkeeper is a Cincinnati native and won two soccer state championships at St. Ursula
- Kingsbury's family is a big support system for the goalie and some will be traveling to Australia and New Zealand to catch some of the games
- Kingsbury said she appreciates her family's support throughout her entire career
Kingsbury has always had a soccer ball at her feet or in her hands, and it all started in her backyard. It's now where you'll find her three nephews learning the game.
Kingsbury’s older brother, Bret Bledsoe, remembers what it was like growing up alongside his three siblings.
“People say that their families are competitive, but that would be an understatement," Bret said.
He recalls when he knew Aubrey was the real deal.
“Seeing my little sister play in the state championship and then win, it’s like, wow, she’s awfully darn good," Bret said. "And then they went and did it again the next year.”
Those state championship banners now hang at St. Ursula, where she defended this goal. Kingsbury and USA teammate Rose Lavelle are both from the Queen City, even playing in the same league in high school.
“It’s funny, Rose Lavelle, obviously Cincinnati knows and loves her. She loves Cincinnati as well and just talks it up," Kingsbury said. "So it’s pretty cool to have two of us here.”
Kingsbury’s parents said they knew their kids were athletic but never that it would lead to this.
“I didn’t necessarily think that our family was more athletic than any other family," Char Bledsoe, Aubrey's mom, said. "That’s just how it was.”
Fast forward to earlier this summer, the day of the World Cup roster announcement. At 31, Kingsbury had been called up for previous U.S. camps but never the world’s biggest stage.
“Everyone was so nervous," Char said. "Yeah, it’s just been exciting. So when we heard, just so thrilled for her. Dream come true.”
“I knew on this day I would find out if I had fulfilled my dream or not, really," Kingsbury said. "It was just the 'yes' that got me in, and now I’m just looking forward to the summer ahead.”
For the last month, Kingsbury has been training with the country’s best. She said that throughout her soccer career, she has been able to lean on her family for support.
“When I did get my first call up I remember my family not being very surprised, and I was like, what do you mean?" Kingsbury said. "So it was fun just to hear that they knew it was coming, they believed in me all along even when I didn’t believe in myself.”
Her family is her ultimate support system. Between her husband, twin sister, her two brothers, nephews, parents, aunts, uncles and cousins, there seems to always be someone in the stands in her corner.
“I always make sure we yell something," Paul Bledsoe, Aubrey's dad, said. "Yeah! She goes, 'what section are you in? I’m going to look for you!' She hears us while she’s warming up, 'Go get it, Aubrey!' I just feel like that makes some kind of difference.”
And now, her family is making the trek across the world to Australia and New Zealand to see Kingsbury live out her dream.
“Everybody says you got to go. You got to experience it," Char said.
“It took a lot of persistence, a lot of patience, a lot of hard work in the off seasons, so it was a long road, but it was definitely my family who kept me encouraged through it all," Kingsbury said.
While her mom, twin sister and husband will be able to see her in person, the rest of her fan club will be here in the States cheering her on from afar.
"I’ll be competitive about that, yes I am the most proud big brother possible," Bret said.
For Kingsbury, her family and community support mean everything, and she hopes to make them proud.
“Yeah I’m anticipating some dominant performances from the U.S.," Kingsbury said. "And ultimately, our goal is to have a three-peat.”
The USA begins group play Friday night at 9 p.m. against Vietnam. The team is hoping to become the first soccer team to ever win the World Cup three straight times.