Every USL season the staff at FC Olympia learns about various players and shares their story to the local Thurston County community. More importantly its amazing for youth athletes to read and learn about the elite college and professional soccer players that come each summer to South Sound Stadium to play USL Soccer to get inspired!
Sadie Sider-Echenberg (South Florida, DI NCAA)
USL W League Week One | Player of the Week Honors
Sadie, what‘s your soccer past before USL W Summer Footy 2024 in Olympia, WA?
- I started playing soccer in Ottawa, Canada when I was 3. I have 2 older brothers who played (and still do) so from day 1 I wanted to be out there with them
- I played youth club soccer for Ottawa St Anthony Futuro until I was 17 where I played on girls and boys teams
- I played at the University of Ottawa (Canadian USPORTS league) for one season before going to France to play for Le Havre FC (D1 Arkema)
- Now I’m at the University of South Florida (NCAA D1) in Tampa! I’m going into my second season there and studying Computer Science
What’s the training environment like in the USL W at FC Olympia?
The training environment has been great so far. Practices are intense but always fun, especially because we play a lot of small sided games (4v4 to 8v8) which I love.
There are lots of top players in our team so the training environment is competitive every day.
Where have you played summer ball previously?
I played summer ball in Ottawa with Futuro for many summers, most recently in 2022.
What is your most memorable soccer moment?
Scoring my first goal for Le Havre last year
What’s your favorite food to eat the night before matches?
Pasta!!!
Any good shows you’re watching?
My team-mate and roommate Serita and I just finished watching the new Bridgerton season. 10/10.
Why did you choose FC Olympia to play summer ball?
To play for a competitive team with great players around me and to live in the Pacific Northwest.
What’s a day in life look like for Sadie outside of soccer?
I’m definitely a people person so I love getting coffee/food with my friends and family and hanging out. I also like going on walks, hikes, exploring the city, and reading.
A day in the life outside of training and working out (and school…) would definitely consist of some of those activities.
What have you done in WA so far since arriving in early May?
In Seattle I’ve been to Pike Place Market where I got some great food, went to the Museum of Pop Culture, saw the Space Needle, and went to a Mariners game.
I’m living with an amazing host family in Kirkland on Lake Washington so I’ve been in the lake and gone on hikes around there.
I’m planning on going to Mount Rainier soon, going kayaking, and exploring the San Juan Islands.
What is your advice for young girls looking to go to the next level?
Enjoy going to practice and training on your own. If you have fun and look forward to playing soccer everyday it will keep you going when things get hard.
Also spend as much time as you can with the ball (and a wall/rebounder/friend)!
Individual investment away from team training hours is key to becoming the best player you can be.
Stay tuned for more Artesian Spotlights this 2024 USL Season!