Women's World Cup: Team USA's Lori Chalupny Returns After 5-year Layoff

Lori Chalupny remembers the sinking feeling when she was told that she couldn't play for the U.S. national team because of concussions. She thought, "What do I do now?"

That was in 2009 after she was injured in a training camp. She thought she'd be cleared to return to the team right away, but instead years passed.

With the World Cup looming, Chalupny contacted U.S. Soccer last summer with a comeback in mind. Accepted back onto the team, the next step was proving that she belonged.

Now she's going to Canada.

"It's been a crazy few months," she said. "Just getting back with the team and trying to catch up with the pace of the game nowadays, and then to make the team finally after waiting five years, it's pretty incredible," she said. "It's something that I've worked a long time for, and probably one of the greatest accomplishments of my career just because it's been a long journey. I've had to keep believing and keep working hard along the way."

Chalupny's work ethic impressed coach Jill Ellis, and the 31-year-old defender earned one of the 23 coveted spots on the World Cup team. It will be her second World Cup (she also went in 2007 to China) and she is just the second U.S. player to earn a roster spot in non-consecutive tournaments. Brandi Chastain did it in 1990 and 1999.

"I know her quality. I was on the sideline in 2008 when she was in the Olympics." Ellis said. "I was just hopeful we could get her back to where we know she can be. I think she's done a remarkable job."

The United States opens the World Cup on June 8 against Australia in Winnipeg, Manitoba. The monthlong tournament is being played in six Canadian cities, with the final set for July 5 in Vancouver, British Columbia.

In the run-up to the World Cup, Chalupny scored in a 4-0 victory over New Zealand on April 4, playing in her hometown of St. Louis. It was her first goal since 2008.

Chalupny played in her 100th international game on May 10 against Ireland in San Jose, California, and a week later she scored against Mexico in a 5-1 victory in Carson, California.

Ellis said Chalupny's return was in the making back in December when the team played in the International Tournament of Brasilia.

"The biggest issue for me was, 'Can she play at the speed of the game?' We watched her in training and down in Brazil (in December) and felt comfortable with her ascension — she was getting better every single camp," Ellis said.

Chalupny was named the U.S. Soccer young player of the year in 2005, and two years later played in all six of the 2007 World Cup Games in China. But in late 2009 she had "a number of concussions in a short period of time," which prompted a neurologist for the team to recommend that she take time off. She had no noticeable ill effects, but she understands that the decision was made in her best interests.

She had no idea her layoff from the national team would stretch five years.

"The tough times were right at the beginning. Right when I was first told that I couldn't play anymore. It was like, 'What's your identity now?' I was playing on this team since I was 16," she said.

She eventually saw independent neurologists on her own, who gave her clearance to play. She played in the now-defunct WPS and she is currently with the Chicago Red Stars of the National Women's Soccer League.

She said the World Cup was not necessarily her impetus to return to the national team. She just hadn't given up the dream of playing for the US.

The goal in St. Louis was Chalupny's first wish come true. The second came 10 days later when she got "the call."

"The best part of coming back was getting the call from Jill, that I made the team. It's been a long journey back. It's been tough at times, the ups and downs," she said. "It doesn't get any better than that."

Now Chalupny's goals have shifted to Canada.

"Anytime you go through adversity and you come out," she said, "I think it definitely makes you stronger."

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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