We checked in with Cari Roccaro, the fifth overall pick in the 2016 NWSL College Draft, about life outside the pitch, potential superpowers and her Spanish speaking skills.
Who are your heroes?
My family, obviously because they’ve supported me over my whole soccer career, life and all of my ups and downs. Obviously I wouldn’t be here without them and they’ve continued to support me in my new journey with the Dash. I wouldn’t say my parents are motivating me to go run fitness. As far as motivators, I wouldn’t say there’s a player I want to emulate but a team – the U.S. Women’s National team or for me growing up the youth national teams. I had a goal in mind to win a World Cup and I saw the team last year win a World Cup and that’s very motivating for me and that applies to other players who want to play with them and to see that they can do it after working hard. Of course the USWNT, they’re my heroes.
What is your favorite soccer movie?
I like Bend it like Beckham but I like The Big Green. Do you know what that is? It’s like a kid’s soccer movie about this crummy soccer team where they put together a bunch of kids and they win the championship. It’s old, it’s nonsense but I like it.
Who would play you in a movie about your life?
Everyone is saying Jennifer Gardner, I guess. I think she kind of looks like me. I think she’s a good actress, I like her in 13 going on 30. That’s one of her big films.
What is your favorite book?
One of the most recent books I read was Things Notre Dame Students Like. You kind of go through it and there are 200 things that a student wrote about that you can go ‘Oh, the dining hall or this and that’ and I was able to reminisce about my whole college experience.
What’s the first song you sing at karaoke?
I’m pretty good at Ice Ice Baby, I’m really good at it. I can do some Eminem, I can do Lose Yourself.
If you could eat one meal for the rest of your life what would that be?
Eggs! I would change how I make them every day but I eat eggs every day. I could do it. It’s not my favorite food but I could eat it every day. I feel like I could get sick of pizza or ice cream. With Eggs, you can change it up. One day they’re scrambled, then you put it with this or that so – eggs.
What superpower would you like to have?
Teleportation, that’s an easy choice. I wouldn’t have to go to the airport.
What is one place in the world you would like to visit?
There are these new bungalows in Jamaica. They just put these houses in the water in Jamaica and I just found them. That’s where I really want to go.
Describe your perfect day .
Wake up to breakfast in bed from my personal chef, go play soccer with my team, play with my golden retriever puppy that I just bought. Just relax, maybe go for a boat ride and eat some sushi. Then go to bed. That sounds pretty good to me.
What are some of the goals you want to accomplish in the next 5-10 years?
To learn a new language – I’ve actually thought about that. I already know Spanish, I wish I was fluent. Winning an NWSL Championship obviously. I have no idea what the future holds. I just graduated so I have an open mind, for now I’d leave this as unknown.
