Schmidt: Of course. It boosted our confidence and showed us that we belong on the world stage, even though we were eliminated sooner than we would have liked. A couple of the youngsters that played in the tournament will have gained a lot from the experience, which stands them in good stead for the Olympics.
DFB.de: Do you have many hobbies away from football?
Schmidt: I have been learning how to play the Piano for eight years, which has helped develop my interest in classical music. I’m also trying to teach myself how to play the acoustic guitar.
DFB.de: Do you have a piano in Frankfurt?
Schmidt: No, which is way I haven’t played as much as I would like to recently. However, I’m going to buy a keyboard in the near future so I can continue progressing.
DFB.de: You speak excellent German.
Schmidt: I was taught at school. My grandparents have German roots too.
1. FFC Frankfurt’s Sophie Schmidt has received 147 international caps for Canada to date and is looking to add to them at this year’s Olympic Games, where she could come up against Silvia Neid’s Germany side. Schmidt sat down with DFB.de this week to discuss her career path, Canada’s chances of winning goals in Rio and her love of music.
DFB.de: Sophie Schmidt, how did you start to play football?
Sophie Schmidt: I’m from Winnipeg, Manitoba but spent three years in Paraguay, which is where my father is from. Whilst we were there I started to get involved in the spot – I would play with my brothers Spencer and Bruce as well as their friends. My time there made me fall in love with football. It was great to play with my family.
DFB.de: … and when did you join a team?
Schmidt: We moved to Abbotsford when I was seven and I joined a club there soon after. They were called the Abbotsford Rush. It was tough though because I loved football, yet my mother was dubious about my involvement.
DFB.de: You’ve played for a number of clubs since then…
Schmidt: That’s true. I spent five years with the Vancouver Whitecaps, played in Florida for a season before joining Kristianstads DFF in Sweden. After that I linked up with Sky Blue FC for two years before moving to 1. FFC Frankfurt.
DFB.de: You’ve gained 147 international caps, have played in three World Cups and could feature in your third Olympics this summer. Canada claimed bronze in London in 2012. What are your hopes for Rio?
Schmidt: Hopefully we’ll win a medal and ideally it wouldn’t be another bronze one! It’s not going to be easy though as there are some good teams in the competition. It’s going to be a challenge.
DFB.de: Canada are in a tricky group. You have to face Australia, Zimbabwe and Germany in the first round…
Schmidt: Australia are a physical side and Germany play great football. I don’t know a lot about Zimbabwe. It’s going to be tough, but that should make for an interesting tournament.
DFB.de: Australia’s Emily van Egmont also plays for Frankfurt and you live with her. On top of that you know Saskia Bartusiak, Simone Laudehr and Dzsenifer Marozsan. You’re only missing a Zimbabwe player!
Schmidt: The way things have panned out is pretty interesting and it means that every game is going to be a special one for me. Facing players you know domestically is always a challenge. I’m looking forward to coming up against them. It’s going to be an exciting time for me.
DFB.de: Does the bronze from London 2012 also act as a burden, as well as an inspiration?
Schmidt: You can’t compare the teams as we have a lot of young players in our ranks now who weren’t involved back then. As far as I’m concerned the bronze should act as motivation for Rio.
DFB.de: Has last summer’s World Cup, which took place in Canada, boosted the team?
Schmidt: Of course. It boosted our confidence and showed us that we belong on the world stage, even though we were eliminated sooner than we would have liked. A couple of the youngsters that played in the tournament will have gained a lot from the experience, which stands them in good stead for the Olympics.
DFB.de: Do you have many hobbies away from football?
Schmidt: I have been learning how to play the Piano for eight years, which has helped develop my interest in classical music. I’m also trying to teach myself how to play the acoustic guitar.
DFB.de: Do you have a piano in Frankfurt?
Schmidt: No, which is way I haven’t played as much as I would like to recently. However, I’m going to buy a keyboard in the near future so I can continue progressing.
DFB.de: You speak excellent German.
Schmidt: I was taught at school. My grandparents have German roots too.
