Hungry For More

Alex Scott looks to aid attack from the back

BOSTON, Mass. – A year ago, one of the world’s best footballers had to work a regular job despite playing for Arsenal. Oh, and in addition to her club duties, she also had to find time to play for her country’s National Team.

So you can imagine that when the chance to play football on a full-time basis came knocking, Alex Scott ran to the door.

“I think the chance to better my game and to be on the ball everyday, and to work on my weaknesses and to train everyday and concentrate on that is exciting,” said the English defender, who worked as a teacher for two years prior to arriving in Boston this year.

Indeed, the prospect of becoming a full-time footballer was one that Scott was anxious to tackle. In fact, not even playing for the best women’s club in England was enough to keep her on the opposite side of the Atlantic.

“Back in England, it’s really just Arsenal and couple of other teams that would challenge for the league,” said Scott. “Over here, you can go into a game, win one week, but then you really don’t know how you’ll do the next week. I think that’s the exciting thing about WPS: that everyone is so strong because every team has international players.”

And it’s that strong competition that promises Scott, who was originally drafted by Chicago then later traded to Boston, the chance to sharpen her skills.

Not that she wasn’t already a decent player to begin with. Associated with Arsenal since playing for its youth clubs when she was eight years old, the speedy defender has not only played on the best women’s club in her home country, but has also earned 48 caps with the National Team, including recent appearances in the 2007 World Cup and UEFA Women’s EURO 2009 qualifying.

Even with all the success and acclaim, Scott was still hungry for more. A chance to train regularly. A chance to play against better players. A chance to elevate her game.

“I think the chance to better my game and to be on the ball everyday, and to work on my weaknesses and to train everyday and concentrate on that – I didn’t get the chance to do that back home,” said Scott. “So for football to be my main focus over here is a great motivation to take my game to the next level.”

The first test for her to do so comes on Sunday against Bay Area, a game in which both she and her teammates have been eyeing for quite some time.

“Everyone’s really excited about Sunday,” said Scott. “It’s been a long time coming since we first got drafted.”

Since the league draft, the Breakers have been working tirelessly to form a cohesive unit that hopes to gel into a solid defensive club.

“We’ve really come together these past few weeks. We’ve got a lot of great things going, and we’ve got a lot of pace. It’ll be interesting to see how it develops come Sunday,” said Scott.

Although it’s clear that Scott is the consummate team player, she hasn’t forgotten the reason why she crossed the pond in the first place. In fact, she admitted a personal goal she’d like to achieve this season..

“I’d like to get goals from right back,” said Scott. “So, to become a proven attacking fullback would be a goal for me this season.