I need to just give - everything that I do, every single day - my all. I just need to. Life is short. We have one life to live. And I need to be able to push for my kid.

Jessica McDonald

You're always supposed to follow-up any cross or whatever towards the goalkeeper.

Jessica McDonald

Both of my parents were both multi-sport athletes. Their mindset was, be an athlete as long as possible, up until they became parents. And so they dropped their dreams for their children.

Jessica McDonald

For me as a mom, not an allocated player, there have been some years that have been a difficult journey because NWSL doesn't really support mothers.

Jessica McDonald

I haven't had any injuries since I've had my kid, so I think it's changed my body externally and internally. I don't know what it is, but I hadn't felt so great, body-wise, until I had my kid. I look more in shape, and I feel more in shape. And speaking from a confidence side, it's changed me in such a positive way.

Jessica McDonald

Sometimes I wear makeup while I play - I did it during the World Cup because the cameras were always on us, but for club, not so much. If I'm wearing it on the field, I try not to apply too much.

Jessica McDonald

In high school and college, I always, always straightened my hair. Don't ask why; I was just so into my image. Post-college, I started wearing my hair natural.

Jessica McDonald

I was born and raised in Phoenix.

Jessica McDonald

My grandmother - my inspiration - was a single mom with nine kids, and she helped raise me.

Jessica McDonald

Just getting paid for six months out of the year is unacceptable in any kind of job.

Jessica McDonald

If anything as simple as child care was covered by the league or your organization, that would be life-changing for moms, especially when we're scraping pennies. Maybe we would have more moms in this league if something like that was there for us, but I feel like we're far from that.

Jessica McDonald

My parents gave up on their dreams in sports because they were athletes, and they had me at such an early age. I didn't want to do that.

Jessica McDonald

There were days when I would just go home and cry because it was that hard, but I didn't want to give up just because things got hard, just because I was a mom.

Jessica McDonald

I need to keep my focus as an individual and keep supporting my team.

Jessica McDonald

I was one of those players that had to come in and prove that I can belong on this field with these girls, and I can hang in this league as well.

Jessica McDonald

It was definitely a big boost when I went into Australia. That's what really got my recognition going. I started scoring. I started feeling a little bit better each game.

Jessica McDonald

I know all the girls; we all have something to play for, we all have this goal, and we're all on the same page as to what we want at the end of the day. But as for me, I have something a little bit more to play for, and that's my kid.

Jessica McDonald

I've had so many parents DM me on social media thanking me because I simply have dreadlocks, because their daughters wear dreadlocks and play with dreadlocks, and I'm like, 'Well why not? Let's do it.' It's really cool to be able to inspire the younger generation of kids of color that look like us.

Jessica McDonald

What I am working hardest for is for my kid, for a better future for him.

Jessica McDonald

My journey has been up and down a little bit. Everything that has to do with success for me has sort of become a shock to me. You work so hard, you work so hard, and it happens; you're like, 'What? Wait, it's happening to me?'

Jessica McDonald

Jessica McDonald Quotes

I need to just give - everything that I do, every single day - my all. I just need to. Life is short. We have one life to live. And I need to be able to push for my kid.

You're always supposed to follow-up any cross or whatever towards the goalkeeper.

Both of my parents were both multi-sport athletes. Their mindset was, be an athlete as long as possible, up until they became parents. And so they dropped their dreams for their children.

For me as a mom, not an allocated player, there have been some years that have been a difficult journey because NWSL doesn't really support mothers.

Sometimes I wear makeup while I play - I did it during the World Cup because the cameras were always on us, but for club, not so much. If I'm wearing it on the field, I try not to apply too much.

In high school and college, I always, always straightened my hair. Don't ask why; I was just so into my image. Post-college, I started wearing my hair natural.

I was born and raised in Phoenix.

My grandmother - my inspiration - was a single mom with nine kids, and she helped raise me.

Just getting paid for six months out of the year is unacceptable in any kind of job.

If anything as simple as child care was covered by the league or your organization, that would be life-changing for moms, especially when we're scraping pennies. Maybe we would have more moms in this league if something like that was there for us, but I feel like we're far from that.

My parents gave up on their dreams in sports because they were athletes, and they had me at such an early age. I didn't want to do that.

There were days when I would just go home and cry because it was that hard, but I didn't want to give up just because things got hard, just because I was a mom.

I need to keep my focus as an individual and keep supporting my team.

I was one of those players that had to come in and prove that I can belong on this field with these girls, and I can hang in this league as well.

It was definitely a big boost when I went into Australia. That's what really got my recognition going. I started scoring. I started feeling a little bit better each game.

I know all the girls; we all have something to play for, we all have this goal, and we're all on the same page as to what we want at the end of the day. But as for me, I have something a little bit more to play for, and that's my kid.

I've had so many parents DM me on social media thanking me because I simply have dreadlocks, because their daughters wear dreadlocks and play with dreadlocks, and I'm like, 'Well why not? Let's do it.' It's really cool to be able to inspire the younger generation of kids of color that look like us.

What I am working hardest for is for my kid, for a better future for him.

My journey has been up and down a little bit. Everything that has to do with success for me has sort of become a shock to me. You work so hard, you work so hard, and it happens; you're like, 'What? Wait, it's happening to me?'