Sam Staab couldn’t let a chance to mess with her younger brother go to waste.
So when Staab finally received the email that confirmed she would be joining the United States Women’s National Team and he didn’t pick up her initial phone call, she made it seem like she really needed something from him. When he finally called, the two siblings shared a moment of joy that the Chicago Red Stars’ center back has been waiting years for.
Staab’s path to the national team wasn’t easy and new competition seemingly sprung up every few months for one of the coveted USWNT center back spots. She quickly made a name for herself with the Washington Spirit and, briefly, Australia’s Western Sydney Wanderers but the national team call never came. Staab didn’t allow herself to quit on her national team dream.
“No, I definitely haven't ever given up on it,” Staab told On Tap Sports Net. “I think it's something that you're always working for, and you always want to get better. And I think it just comes from getting better and doing well and performing well.
“So I think I kind of focused on just doing well in this new environment and helping this team and then hoping, obviously, that came from that.”
The San Diego native will finally join the USWNT in a transition period ahead of the Summer Olympics in Paris. The upcoming international window will be the first for new USWNT head coach Emma Hayes as her side faces off against South Korea in Colorado on June 1 and Minnesota on June 4.
“I don't think I have really any expectations. I think it's gonna be a completely new environment. And I think a lot of people are going to experience a new environment because it's Emma's first camp too.
“So just going in with an open mind. I really have nothing to lose. So just go in with that attitude and do me. Enjoy it. Enjoy the moment. Enjoy the experience. And yeah, see what comes with it.”
Staab’s been one of the top defenders in the NWSL since she was drafted by the Washington Spirit in 2019 and has played every minute in three of her professional seasons. She was traded to the Red Stars on draft night and brought her biggest skill, availability, with her to Chicago.
She set the NWSL’s consecutive regular-season start record last season, eclipsing Amber Brooks’ previous record of 72, and followed up her national team call up by making her 100th consecutive regular-season start last weekend in New Jersey. She credits her ability to separate her work and non-work life for helping her get to that round number.
“I'm a big person of like, enjoying my life outside of soccer, and then that helps you enjoy being on the field more. So I think just staying focused on that and keeping myself in a good place mentally and physically are not necessarily specific things, but just that generally.”
Staab’s Red Stars have a whole lot of work ahead of them if they want to compete at the top of the NWSL in 2024. They’ve yet to find their stride under new head coach Lorne Donaldson but the optimism remains high in the building.
“There are definitely so many moving parts. [We’re] still growing together, still learning together. We have a fairly young team and everyone's just still trying to find their groove.
“But so far, it's been really fun. It's been really good to get everyone together. And I think everyone really enjoys this group. And that's kind of been showing with how we've been playing. So I think it's really exciting and we're all moving in a very positive direction.”
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