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DiMaria on Leadership: Be Yourself, Work Hard
18 Jul
Summary
- Maddie DiMaria, Player of the Year, spoke with Tim Ream.
- Ream advises authenticity and leading by example.
- Playing in a home World Cup was an unforgettable experience.
St. Louis native Maddie DiMaria, recently named the 2026 Gatorade Best Female Player of the Year, conducted an interview with USMNT captain Tim Ream. The conversation focused on leadership and the unique experience of playing in a FIFA World Cup hosted on home soil.
Ream shared his perspective on leadership, advising DiMaria and others to remain authentic. He stressed the importance of leading by example rather than relying solely on vocal encouragement, emphasizing that a leader's true self should not change regardless of their role.
Reflecting on his World Cup experiences, Ream highlighted the profound impact of playing in a home tournament. He described the atmosphere created by passionate fans across the country as 'completely out of this world,' a sentiment he believes every player should experience at least once.
DiMaria, expressing her own aspirations to reach similar heights in women's soccer, found Ream's insights valuable. Ream concluded by urging aspiring athletes to prioritize hard work and a genuine love for the game, as these are the foundations for a long and fulfilling career.
