Karen Carney had one goal when she signed with the Chicago Red Stars in January 2009—besides scoring lots of goals for the Women's Professional Soccer ( WPS ) team, that is.
She wanted to meet Chicago's own, President Barack Obama.
"I chose Obama because he's a powerful figure that brings hope to many people," Carney said. "I feel he has an aura and it would be a nice experience to meet him."
Even more than Chicagoan Oprah Winfrey.
"I unfortunately have not met either, which sucks," she said, laughing.
Carney, 22, is an England native who started all 17 Red Stars' games she played in 2009, and finished the season with two goals and an assist. In four games this season, she has one assist.
She made her debut with the English national team in 2005, at the age of 17, coming off the bench to score a goal in her first game against Italy. She helped England finish second in the 2009 UEFA Women's Championship, with a tournament-high four assists and two goals.
Carney played for the Arsenal during 2006-08, including a season under now-former Red Stars' coach Emma Hayes ( then an Arsenal assistant ) . She scored 41 goals in 91 games, and played a major role on the 2006-07 team that won the FA Women's Premier League, FA Women's Cup, FA Women's Premier League Cup and UEFA Women's Cup titles.
"I love playing for the Red Stars," Carney said. "I feel like it's home when I play at Toyota Park and play with the team. It feels like I have played with the girls and the club for a lot longer than I have.
"Chicago, as a city, is pretty amazing. I didn't think I would have settled into a big city as much as I have; I love Chicago. There is not much to dislike about the city, and now the weather is picking up, it's even better.
"The best part of playing for the Red Stars is that I get to play at the best stadium in WPS, in front of some amazing fans. The best part of playing in the City of Chicago is that there is so much to do and you can never get bored, and that the people are lovely."
The Red Stars have struggled this season, with a lack of goals being part of the problem.
"We haven't scored as many [ goals ] as we would have hoped, but it's just about connecting, and I think once one goes in, the floodgates will open. I just think we need to continue to train and practice on our finishing and offensive play and just relax in front of the goal," Carney said. "Personally, I feel I have gotten stronger after each game. I started the preseason injured, so it was tough to get back into the swing of things. But each week I have played longer and got stronger and stronger, so I hope it continues."
And she also has additional experience playing in May with the English National Team as well. She just recently returned from action in Malta.
"I have been injured and it was my first call-up really for a game since [ last ] September/October, so it was so nice to be back with the team and to get some minutes," she said. "It was amazing. When I was in the warm-up I think it's the first warm-up I've enjoyed because I felt I was back home and finally back with the team.
"Going away with England makes me appreciate what I have with the Red Stars and how lucky I am. I know that playing in WPS and training every day with the Red Stars has improved me tenfold. I do believe the more experience you gain the better you become, and I feel every day I learn something new with the Red Stars, which I believe is key to my development.
Karen Carney facts:
—Most memorable soccer moment: "Playing in the World Cup and playing for my country."
—Most memorable soccer goal: "Scoring the winner at Euro 2005 in front of 30,000 in England was pretty amazing."
—Little-known fact: "I was a pretty good 800-meter runner."
