Nothing can erase what Sydney Leroux has gone through this week – nor what she says she endured at 2012 Olympic qualifying in Vancouver last January.
The Boston Breakers and U.S. international forward was the recipient of some ugly, racially-charged tweets over the past six days after scoring in Sunday’s 3-0 win over Canada, the country in which she was born.
Leroux, as many know by now, scored the United States’ third goal in stoppage time and proceeded to celebrate by pointing to the crest on her brand new U.S. centennial jersey. Then she shushed the crowd – a crowd that booed her at every opportunity and, as video evidence shows, contained at least a few members who sent derogatory (but not racist, from what we know) remarks toward Leroux.
[MORE: Leroux alleges racism | Statement | USWNT beats Canada 3-0]
Exactly what happened in Vancouver — where Leroux said she was subject to racist remarks, among other things –may never be known, now 18 months later. Leroux got back to soccer on Wednesday, and she did so with conviction, scoring in the 64th minute of Boston’s 2-2 draw with the Western New York Flash.
“Scoring is my favorite thing in the world, so of course it made me feel a lot better,” she said. “It has been a tough week but the amount of support that I’ve gotten from fans and my teammates and U.S. Soccer has been amazing.”
Leroux was effective all Wednesday night from the left wing, cutting inside onto her favored right foot. That’s how she scored what looked like the game-winner until Jodi-Ann Robinson’s stoppage time equalizer for the Flash.
The wide position is a different role than the 23-year-old is used to playing. She’s one of the fastest strikers out there and can play of center backs’ shoulders and beat them with pace. She can do that on the wing, too, and early on in that transition for Boston she’s chosen to cut inside onto her right foot more often than turning the corner on a defender.
All those decisions are a work in progress, Breakers coach Lisa Cole says.
“I think Syd was good,” Cole said after Wednesday’s game. “I think she’s improving and I think she’s learning the position a little bit. She’s used to being up top in a two-front, but this a position that you can see – her coming off the flank is incredibly dangerous and I think most teams are going to have a hard time dealing with her.”
The learning continues Sunday in Chicago, where the Breakers can turn around the disappointment of dropping points in stoppage time on Wednesday and being thumped 5-1 by league-leading Sky Blue FC last weekend.
And for Leroux, it’s a busy stretch to focus on soccer after an emotionally draining week. She’ll go straight back into international duty after this weekend for two games vs. South Korea.
