Added 20th July 2010, 15:00 in

Interview: Kelly Smith (Boston Breakers/ England)

Claire Forrester checks in for a catch up with one of the world's best players, who is having rather a nice time in the WPS (shame about the Chinese takeaways though)...

How are you enjoying the season with Boston?

It's been a very interesting start to the season that's for sure. We won our first game away to Washington and then went on a nine game streak without a win. We managed 4 four draws and five losses. It's been very frustrating and hard emotionally but we have all stuck together had a lot of team meetings and believed we could get out of this slump. We know we are a good team but just haven't finished our chances in games, which has hurt us. Our last two games we have won so it's changed our season a little. We are still in the hunt for a play off place.

You are missing the England v Turkey match with a slight injury, what’s the problem?

It is a chronic knee problem from last season. I just have to manage the amount of impact I do on it. Sometimes it flares up and I have to back off on my training, but I am managing it and am able to play. I have a good routine out here where I get a lot of massage and trigger point release which helps. It was discussed with the England medics last game that I would stay in the USA and continue with my routine and hopefully I will be selected for the next game.

Having suffered serious injuries in the past do you now have to expect that you are going to continually get niggling little injuries? Do you have to work hard to keep them at bay?

The only niggley injury I have is my knee. It's frustrating at times but it's manageable. With experience I have learned what works for me and what I have to do on certain days to keep my fitness levels up. I have an extra day off a week than the team to rest my knee which I find helps a lot and I also work on my strength/balance work on certain days to keep my legs strong.

Do you get any fitness tips from the Bionic Woman AKA Kristine Lilly? Is it true that she is one of the fittest on the team?

I have been in her ear a little about how she stays so fit and what she does too maintain it. I have been trying to get some tips. She is a robot, it's unreal. When we do the bleep test she can run and run and run. I'm sure one day she will out run the CD. Even in training everyday she covers every blade of grass.

Does seeing Lilly play at the top of her game well into her 30s inspire you to keep playing at the top level for as long as possible? Do you have any targets for how long you want to keep playing for example winning a certain tournament or reaching 100+ caps?

Yes, definitely. She still has a great hunger about her, she just loves to play and WIN. It rubs off on you, she is a great leader who inspires all of us on the team. Of course i would love to reach 100 caps but we will have to wait and see.

Are you hoping that this weekend’s win will be the kickstart that the Breakers’ season needs to get it going?

We have won our last two games, so we are looking for a third at home. [Which they did with a 2-1 win over the Freedom - SK Ed] We feel like this is a turning point in our season as we are half way through. Although it's been tough not winning it's been a great learning experience for me personally, on staying positive and fighting for each other, and still believing we can score goals and win.

Which do you think are the best teams and players in the league?

I would have to say FC Gold Pride as they are top of the league and scoring goals for fun.

The best players would be Marta of FC Gold Pride, Formiga of Chicago Red Stars and Amy LePeilbet of the Boston Breakers.

Do you get big crowds at your games?

We average about 5,000 each game

Have you got used to being a professional footballer or do you still get a little bit giddy about training everyday and football being your full time job?

No, I am used to it now. I was a bit like that at first. I realise I am very lucky to be doing what I am doing and getting paid for it. I am grateful each day I step out onto the field and can play/work.

Are there any downsides to being a professional footballer?

There are times when I can't do things on holidays, for example the 4th July is a big holiday here in the USA and some of my former college friends were at the beach for the weekend but I couldn't go because we had a game, but I wouldn't change what I am doing for anything, so I don't complain. This job doesnt last forever.

How do you cope with being away from your home and family for so long?

It's actually not that bad as we have had World Cup qualifiers every month so I have been back and forth and seen my family for a day or two. Plus we Skype once a week and catch up.

Are there any things in particular (apart from family) that you miss from the UK?

I miss my dogs so much. I miss coming home and them greeting me and then taking them for a long walk. I also miss my local chinese takeaway: the chinese food out here isn't the same!

What are the good things about living in the USA and specifically Boston?

It"s a very different life out here - its very relaxed, the weather is great, especially in the summer. Boston is a great sports city. The Boston Celtics basketball team got to the NBA finals. The city was alive and buzzing during this time. Also the Boston Bruins ice hockey team got to the play offs - I went to one game - it was fascinating to watch. The speed of play is so fast it's my new fave game to watch. There's also great shopping and dining in the city. There's a couple of cool parks to hang out in too.

What is a typical day for you?

I get up at 8am and have breakfast. I leave for training at 9am get into our changing room by 9.15pm Get changed and do my stretches for me knee. Go out to the field at 9.50am for training at 10am. Sometimes I might go out early to practice my shooting. Training is from 10-11.30am. We normally have 15 minutes at the end of training to work on individual stuff. I get back into the changing room and ice bath. Then shower. Two days out of the week we will watch game video one day on ourselves and the other day on our next opponent. At 1.30pm I go to a physical therapy clinic to do strength work and massage. I normally get home around 3pm.

Breakers Profile image: Andrew Katsampes (www.isiphotos.com)

Action image from the WPS All Star Game: Howard C Smith (www.isiphotos.com)

Cup ties already off at Barnet, Charlton, Portsmouth and Watford

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Interview: Kelly Smith (Boston Breakers/ England)

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