A former soccer player for the United States Women’s Team had some words for opposing competitors at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
For those who need some context, Julie Foudy is a retired American soccer player. She was a star midfielder on the United States Women’s national soccer team from 1988 to 2004. During her own time in the Olympics, she won two gold medals and was also a two0-time FIFA Women’s World Cup champion. S
he served as team captain of the women’s team from 2000-2004. And during that same timeframe, Foudy served as the president of the Women’s Sports Foundation.
Foudy Says ‘Don’t Poke the Bear’
So, it’s safe to say that not only does she have years worth of on-the-field playing experience, she also has experience being a leader and a role model. That’s what makes her comments on Saturday during a sit-down with Talkin’ Tokyo stand out.
“The midfielder for the Netherlands had some choice words leading into the last night’s match,” one of the hosts of the show told Foudy. “About America and her thoughts. Like, ‘We’re not afraid.’ And, ‘I’m not sure they’re that good.’ Do you think the team caught wind of that and that was maybe some motivation?”
At the time, Foudy wasn’t sure whether the team had heard the comments or not. So, in typical alumni fashion, she sent the quotes to the team for them to use as that extra motivation during the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
“Umm, I may have texted the team that quote,” Foudy replied with a smile. “Well, I didn’t send it to the team, I sent it to the press officer. And I was like, ‘Just checking and making sure that they’ve seen this.’ I don’t know why she did this. That was Danielle van de Donk. Van de Donk said ‘I’m not afraid of them anymore, they’re not as good.'”
While Foudy admits that is probably true, she warns the Netherlands players not to “poke the bear.”
“To be fair, they haven’t been as good in this tournament yet,” Foudy says. “But, you don’t poke the bear. You don’t poke the bear — especially the United States. When they get angry, they’re like, ‘Let’s go!'”
The official Twitter account for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics posted a clip of Foudy’s interview. Check it out down below:
“@JulieFoudy has a message for anyone who’s sleeping on the @USWNT: Don’t poke the bear.”
Danielle van de Donk’s Comments at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics
You may be wondering what exactly the Netherlands Danielle van de Donk had to say at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Her comments are now being used as motivation for all of Team USA to kick it into high gear.
“We have scored eight, which I think is also a gesture to show that we are not afraid of America,” van de Donk said. “Let them keep [their] form because in my eyes they are not very strong now. Somehow I feel like, save the best for last. But maybe they are not the best at all in this tournament.”
Only time will tell. But as Julie Foudy said, it’s probably best not to poke the bear.
