“I just try to impact the game whenever I get on the field,” said Klenke. “Honestly, I stick to the basics. I do need to calm myself down because there’s always a lot of nerves and a lot of excitement, but my teammates make it so much easier. They are always encouraging and full of support.”
At 5-foot-10, with long strides that eat up large swaths of grass, Klenke is an imposing physical presence, fearless in every tackle and challenging for every head ball. But U.S. head coach Tracey Kevins likes the mental side of her game just as much.
“She has the ability to stay so steady emotionally,” said Kevins. ”Any role she’s asked to play, she’s willing to do it, and she’s made a massive impact in every game. She’s the ultimate teammate.”
Klenke says she’s not so sure about keeping those emotions in check, but the fact that she’s having so much darn fun certainly helps.
“You’re doing what you love to do and, so, I just have fun with it,” she said. “But I do have to remember to breathe. Don’t forget to breathe, Leah!”
There was plenty of oxygen needed at the end of the Germany match, where the USA pulled out an improbable, dramatic, and yes, breathtaking, comeback for the ages.
