Leroux on scoring goals: 'It's my job'

Sydney Leroux had her first practice of the week on Thursday with her new team, the Boston Breakers of the National Women’s Soccer League. She and teammate Heather O’Reilly have missed some time with the squad.

“Preparation was good. We went to practice today and they had a good game with D.C. while I was gone,” the Canadian-born, Arizona-raised forward said. “We haven’t played with them and we’re still getting used to it.”

Leroux and O’Reilly weren’t sitting out practice by choice, far from it. The two of them were representing the United States on a European tour. On Monday, Leroux recorded assists on two of the three goals the U.S. team scored against the Netherlands. The assist on the third goal was from O’Reilly.

It’s time to put down the red hoops for a bit and put on the blue and white of the Breakers. Although the Breakers have been around since 2007, the league and its teams are mostly new, making it hard to scout other squads.

“I guess we are just trying to focus on us,” Leroux said of preparing for the team’s first match, Sunday against the Washington Spirit. “We just need to be the best team we can.”

“I’m going to roll with the punches,” she said about finding her spot on the team. “I need to continue to score goals. I’m a forward; it’s my job.”

Leroux was reluctant to pick out one particular favorite teammate, but named former national team star Cat Whitehill, who had 135 appearances in ten years on the national team, as someone she looked up to.

“I’ve never seen someone hit a ball like that,” she said of the national team defender.

She hasn’t had much time to get used to her new surroundings yet, but she’s excited to play in a city with as much sports tradition as Boston.

“It’s awesome being part of sports in Boston,” she said. “Patriots, Red Sox, Revolution, it’s an amazing place to be in.”

The Boston Breakers have their first game on Sunday at 3:30 pm Tucson time against the Washington Spirit. The game will take place at Dilboy Stadium in Somerville, Mass. No broadcast information was available at press time.