Goalie Interviews: Tracy Ducar
Summer 2001
Q What are your professional athletic goals?
A I want to continue to play at this level as long as my body can handle it and continue to improve my level of play. I know I can still become a better player, so everyday at practice I strive to do the extra things that will matter.
Q What do you like most about the goalie position?
A The pressure. You are either the scapegoat or the hero, there is no gray area for a goalkeeper. There is no hiding when you are the last line of defense. You make one tiny mistake and you will be punished for it, so you have to be able to handle the pressure. I have always thrived on challenges, so I guess that was why I was drawn to the position.
Q How important is clear vision to your soccer game and your daily routine?
A Clear vision is paramount. Without clear vision I wouldn’t be able to be a goalkeeper. My success is dependent upon being able to make decisions and saves in an instant. If my vision was blurry or poor I won’t be able to read the spin of the ball, the speed of the ball, or number on an opponent’s jersey. I wouldn’t be able to catch the ball well, read the flight of the ball, or organize the defenders in front of me effectively. It would be hard to yell, “Kate mark #2 on your right”, if I couldn’t read my opponent’s jersey’s number. I would also like to win a WUSA Championship as well as play in an Olympics.
Q Do you have a pre-game ritual? Good luck charm?
A No pre-game rituals. I do like to listen to music to pump myself up, but no songs in particular and I don’t do it all the time.
As far as good luck charms are concerned…. I do have a necklace that is sort-of a good luck charm. My Mom and I both wear the same necklace w/ silver charm on it. She asked me to bring her back a cool silver charm on one of my trips with the National team to Australia, so I bought her one and then bought another one for myself since I like it so much. So now we both wear our charms on a simple black cord and I feel more connected to her through it. When I touch the necklace or see it I think of her and it makes me smile to know I am loved.
Q What is the toughest shot for you, as a goalie, to block?
A Penalty kicks are by far the toughest because you have little reaction time since the kick is so close. Plus the shooter has all the time they need to look up calmly and decide where they want to put the ball without the pressure of a defender chasing them down. And also, since the goalkeeper has to start on their line, they have no angle play to help them make the save.
Q What do you consider to be one of your better qualities? One of your weaknesses?
A I think I am a very technically sound goalkeeper. I pride myself on being technically perfect in everything aspect of the position... catching, diving, etc. I also feel that I am a very good communicator, so I can help my team a lot just by organizing and leading them with my voice. I definitely need to continue working on my left foot. I have been working on getting more comfortable with the ball on my left foot for a while now, but it still needs a lot more work! It just doesn’t work as smoothly as the right foot and I want to get it there so I can play the ball out of the back with BOTH feet. My goal is to be able to strike the ball with my left foot as far and as consistently as I can with my right foot. Three things I plan to do in my lifetime are...own a pet, (most likely a chocolate lab), have children, (probably 2), and travel abroad, (Europe, the Himalayas, and New Zealand would be my first 3 trips although there are so many great places to go it is hard to choose).
Q What extracurricular activities outside of your practice/training do you participate in? (i.e. singing lessons, windsurfing)
A Snowboarding, rock climbing, backpacking, cycling, and gardening.
Q Do you own a computer? Like to surf the web? What do you use the Internet for? What are your favorite websites? Do you chat with fans on the web?
A Yes, a laptop. I surf the web somewhat frequently, but not daily. I mainly use the internet for e-mail. My favorite websites are FOX Sports World…..to check on the English Premiere League scores and my fantasy league team and the Weather Channel site to check on the daily weather. I have done one internet chat session w/ the fans and e-mail w/ numerous fans who have gotten my e-mail address one way or another.