SOCCER

U.S. Soccer’s Naomi Girma Credits Parents For High Work Ethic

Jul 25, 2024, 11:51 AM | Updated: Jul 29, 2024, 8:15 am

SALT LAKE CITY – U.S. Soccer star Naomi Girma is a first-generation American and gave a lot of love to her parents for pushing her to be great.

Born in San Jose, California, Girma’s parents preached dedication to her and her older brother from day one.

The 2023 U.S. Soccer Female Player of the Year found her athletic stride from a very young age.

Girma played basketball, soccer, and did gymnastics for much of her youth before committing to soccer in middle school. As she started to find more and more success, her parents told her to not get complacent.

“(Work ethic) is something my parents instilled in me and my brother from a young age,” Girma said. “It wasn’t just with soccer. If you were going to do something or try something out, you were going to work hard and give it your all.”

And that’s exactly what she did.

Girma was a standout on the Stanford Cardinals women’s soccer team from 2018 to 2021. This led to her becoming the first overall pick in the 2022 NWSL Draft.

After spending multiple years with the United States U17, U19, and U20 squads, Girma will make her Olympic debut with Team USA at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

However, it won’t be her first experience with the senior team. Girma suited up for the U.S. in the 2022 CONCACAF W Championship, the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, the 2024 CONCACAF W Gold Cup, and the 2024 SheBelieves Cup.

Chandler Holt is a co-host of the Jazz Notes podcast, a Locals In The NFL Insider, and Digital Sports Producer for KSLSports.com. Follow Chandler on Twitter @CHoltSports or on Threads @chandlerho1t.

Take us with you, wherever you go.

Download the new & improved KSL Sports app from Utah’s sports leader. You can stream live radio, video and stay up to date on all of your favorite teams.

Soccer

Real Salt Lake RSL Atlanta United FC...

Chandler Holt

Real Salt Lake Honors Standouts With End Of Season Team Awards

With the 2024 season officially in the rearview mirror for Real Salt Lake, the club handed out its team awards on Monday.

18 days ago

Utah State Women's Soccer Mountain West champions...

Chandler Holt

Utah State Women’s Soccer Claims Second-Straight Mountain West Title

For the second year in a row, the Utah State Aggies women's soccer team has claimed the Mountain West championship.

25 days ago

BYU Women's Soccer, NCAA Tournament...

Mitch Harper

BYU Women’s Soccer Earns At-Large Bid In 2024 NCAA Tournament

BYU is dancing in the 2024 NCAA Tournament.

25 days ago

Justen Glad #15...

Brian Preece

Season Ends For Real Salt Lake On Penalty Kicks For Third Straight Year

Real Salt Lake forced penalty kicks, but it did not matter as the Claret & Cobalt's season came to an end following a 2-1 loss in Minnesota.

1 month ago

Real Salt Lake Inter Miami CF Lionel Messi Emeka Eneli...

Brian Preece

Emeka Eneli Gives Real Salt Lake Life With Second-Half Goal

Real Salt Lake's Matt Crooks and Emeka Eneli combined for a 76th-minute goal to even the match against the Loons. 

1 month ago

Utah Royals gotham fc...

Tanner Tripp

Utah Royals Suffer Blow Out Loss To Gotham FC In Final Game Of Season

Utah's playoff fate was already sealed, having already been eliminated from postseason contention, but Gotham was competing for playoff positioning and the Royals were looking to play spoiler.

1 month ago

Sponsored Articles

salt lake county player of the week...

Salt Lake County High School Player of the Week – Week 15

SALT LAKE CITY – The Hercules Salt Lake County High School Player of the Week is celebrating the best high school football player in Salt Lake County. Presented by Hercules First Federal Credit Union, each week we honor athletes for their exceptional performance on the gridiron. Our co-winners this week were Esun Tafa and Cooper Kingston from […]

...

Utah County High School Player of the Week – Week 15

SALT LAKE CITY – The Mr. Mac Utah County High School Player of the Week is awarded each week to the top prep football players in Utah County. Sponsored by Mr. Mac, it honors athletes for their performances on the gridiron and exceptional play. Our co-winners this week were Aaron Dunn from Spanish Fork High School and […]

Rice-Eccles Stadium...

Crimson Cliffs Completes Epic Comeback To Win 4A State Championship

Crimson Cliffs needed the largest comeback in Utah state history to knock off the Spanish Fork Dons 57-55 in triple overtime.

corner canyon football celebrates win over lehi...

Corner Canyon Comes From Behind To Win 6A State Championship

The Corner Canyon Chargers fell behind early but didn't panic, scoring 23 straight points to beat Lone Peak 30-27.

Siaki Fekitoa...

Siaki Fekitoa’s Four TDs Lead Bountiful To 5A State Championship

Title Thursday started on a high note with a fireworks-filled offensive show as Bountiful held on to beat Roy 42-35.

...

Northern Utah High School Player of the Week – Week 14

SALT LAKE CITY – The John Watson Northern Utah High School Player of the Week is celebrating the best high school football player in Northern Utah. Presented by John Watson Chevrolet in Ogden, each week we honor athletes for their exceptional performance on the gridiron. Our co-winners of the week were Beck Sheffield from Morgan High School […]

U.S. Soccer’s Naomi Girma Credits Parents For High Work Ethic