For the Sun Devils, the field is a place for playing styles from around the world, blending together as one soccer team.
Of the 26 women on ASU’s roster, 15 of them are international athletes, coming from England, Canada, South Africa, Japan, Germany, the Netherlands and Norway. Leading the Sun Devils is head coach Graham Winkworth, who was raised in England.
On the field, the Sun Devils witness their unique skills unite; while off the field, it’s their personalities that come together.
"There are so many different styles of play, but it's even more fun off the field," Winkworth said. "We've got players with such diverse personality types, and gelling them together is just so much fun. We have a lot of fun at practice, and we have a lot of chemistry."
Winkworth has witnessed Sun Devils from unique backgrounds develop relationships beyond teammates and come together as friends. He loves this team's bond, noting how cool it is that these players visit each other in different parts of the world.
To Winkworth, coaching at ASU is coaching in paradise, and that’s what attracts international attention. When prospective athletes visit ASU, Winkworth has seen how the beautiful facilities, weather and team community influence a decision.
"If they visit, they (commit), it's just easy," Winkworth said.
A compelling location and Winkworth's plans for the program drew sophomore forward and midfielder Sierra Bergen to ASU. Bergen is from Cultus Lake, British Columbia and transferred to ASU following her freshman year at Mississippi State.
Besides learning how to adapt to the heat, Bergen’s adjustment to being a Sun Devil has come easily. Her transition was eased by teammates who welcomed her with open arms, and she values the unique experience of playing alongside such a diverse group.
"To see it come together is really fun, and we all learn new things from each other," Bergen said.
Despite coming from different countries around the world, there is one language these Sun Devils all know: soccer.
Coming to the desert all the way from Bedford, England, senior defender Grace Gillard found comfort knowing soccer’s universal popularity would tie her team together.
"Soccer is a very global sport," Gillard said. "So all being able to play together, it's sort of like a global language."
During the preseason, the Sun Devils worked to turn each individual’s strengths into one cohesive soccer team, which has fueled their success so far this season.
The energy from the team so far has set a tone, and Winkworth credits that to a wonderful group of players.
"They are just great girls," Winkworth said. "They are great people, and I think that having great people is way more important than having great soccer players."
Edited by Jack McCarthy, Henry Smardo and Ellis Preston.
Reach the reporter at cjoneil6@asu.edu and follow @cjojournalism on X.
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Char O’Neil is a junior studying sports journalism with a minor in special events management. This is her second semester with The State Press. She has also reported for AZPreps365, Blaze Radio and Phoenix College Basketball.
